852.00/5081
The Mexican Ambassador (Castillo Nájera) to the Secretary of State
Mr. Secretary: Regarding the point of view of my country in the presence of the situation afflicting the Spanish Republic, I have the honor to state to Your Excellency that I have received instructions from my Government to amplify, in the following terms, the note which I addressed to you on the first day of the present month.62
The Mexican Government considers it to be its duty at this time to contribute all the means in its power in favor of world peace and, especially, to endeavor that an end be put to the armed contest which, for eight months past, has been causing the shedding of blood on Spanish soil.
Mexico, therefore, takes the liberty of making an appeal to the recognized sentiments of humanity of Your Excellency’s Government to the end that an amicable way be sought to terminate the grievous situation of Spain.
My Government believes that the frequency and the time of the endeavors which have been made to put into practice the so-called policy of non-intervention have had no other consequence than that of taking away from Spain help which, according to international law, the legitimate Government of the said country could logically expect from the states with which it cultivates normal diplomatic relations.
The said circumstances and the lack of necessary collaboration with the constitutional Spanish authorities are cruelly prolonging the fratricidal struggle which is going on in that friendly nation, and in view of the participation in it of foreign elements, my Government considers that the possibility is daily nearer that that conflict may provoke international complications.
Without my country’s prejudging the position of Your Excellency’s Government, for which it has the most respectful consideration, it believes that, because of elementary sentiments of humanity and justice, the countries which fortunately enjoy peace abroad and security at home might be able to find a formula of collaboration to prevent the indefinite prolongation of the Spanish conflict.
Mexico likewise believes that international neutrality ought to be interpreted in accordance with the noble principles established by the Covenant of the League of Nations, extending them to cases like that of the military rebellion in Spain; for a clear distinction ought to be drawn between Governments suffering aggression, which Governments [Page 275] ought to receive all support, material and moral, and aggressor groups, to which it is improper to furnish elements intended for continuing the struggle and rendering it more bloody.
In formulating these considerations, I must state to Your Excellency that Mexico is not animated only by the desire that they may serve to improve, if possible, the lamentable situation prevailing in Spain, but also by her sincere intention to define for the future how far her international position coincides with a correct application of the essential postulates of international law; for it is improper, in every light, that a constituted Government—whatever may be its characteristics, if it represents legitimately, by its origins, the national will—should be at the mercy of a faction supported by elements foreign to the life and the political traditions of the country.
I avail myself [etc.]
- Not printed.↩