812.00/1–1246

The Ambassador in Mexico (Messersmith) to the Acting Secretary of State

secret
[Extracts]

Dear Dean: In a series of despatches we have continuously kept the Department informed concerning the developments in the electoral [Page 972] situation in Mexico, in view of the importance of the presidential election this year. …

The term of the President in Mexico is six years, and the term of President Ávila Camacho expires in December 1946. The election is to be held on July 7, 1946. …

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It has been a very difficult matter for this Embassy and for our Government to be kept out of this electoral struggle but it is absolutely essential. There is no question that we have a very definite interest in the outcome of this election, but we are entirely powerless in the matter. The type of man who is elected as President of Mexico will determine the course of events internally for years to come. It will determine the course which Mexico will take in her relationships with us and in the world picture. …

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The most serious danger in the election of Alemán is that if he is elected, Lombardo and the extreme Left elements in Mexico will claim the credit for his being so, and, as they are the strongest and most resourceful and vociferous elements, it is easy to foresee who would be guiding Mexico’s internal and external policies. The close connection between Lombardo and Soviet Russia is daily more obvious. The interest of Soviet Russia in the Mexican elections is indicated by recent Soviet broadcasts from Moscow which have been reported to the Department and in which developments in the Mexican situation are completely misrepresented. Soviet Russia professedly stands for the masses and the expression of the will of the masses, but these broadcasts from Moscow try to make it appear that the León massacre was due to the attack of Fascist elements on the Government. If we are not taking any interest in the Mexican elections, there isn’t any doubt that Soviet Russia is.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Considerable pressures have been brought on American firms here to make contributions to the Alemán campaign, but I have taken the position quietly and unobtrusively, and American firms have taken the position that they cannot contribute to either side. …

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

… this election is of such tremendous importance to us. There is no doubt that Alemán believes that good relations with the United States are necessary, and he knows that he needs our support in many ways for his presidency to be a success. … The one thing that we can do is to make it clear that we stand for free elections everywhere [Page 973] just as we do in Rumania and Bulgaria, and just as we do in the Argentine. If we make it clear at appropriate times, in statements which have no specific reference to Mexico but which can be so worded that their implication will be readily understood here, that we are interested in free elections and the will of the people being given effect everywhere, it will have a very strong effect and in the right direction in this country, and no exception can be taken to such statements. We haven’t hesitated to say freely and definitely how we feel about the situation in Bulgaria and Rumania, and we have made clear our opposition to imposition there. We have made clear, and properly so, our attitude with respect to the Argentine. While I do not think we can be as specific with respect to Mexico at this time as we have been with respect to those countries, or at least I do not believe it would be advisable at this time, I must tell you frankly that there is a growing opinion among thoughtful people here that we seem to be too complacent about this situation in Mexico. They don’t want us to interfere but, at the same time, they want us to make our principles clear, and I think the worst thing that can happen is for the impression to get currency here in Mexico that no matter who is elected and that no matter how he is elected, and no matter how he may be imposed and no matter how the will of the people is thwarted, we will accept such a situation and recognize such imposed candidate. That is more or less the feeling here now—that no matter what happens, we will recognize the status quo and the imposed candidate. I am giving careful thought to this situation because, as I have said so many times, very real issues are at stake so far as we are concerned, as well as Mexico, in this election. I should like to repeat that the wrong kind of man in the Mexican presidency can completely change the internal situation in Mexico, can and will change her orientation in external affairs to our disadvantage and hers, can tremendously influence developments in all of the other American Republics, and can greatly complicate our problems in this Hemisphere and in the rest of the world. … If there is a free election, we need have no fears, because the candidate elected will not be one who is committed to a policy so contrary to all that we stand for in the world picture today.

I would appreciate your bringing this letter to the attention of the Secretary on his return from London, and I think it would be advisable that the Secretary or you, at a convenient opportunity, give the President a brief statement of my present estimate of the situation.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

With all good wishes,

Cordially and faithfully yours,

George S. Messersmith