Julius Kruttschnitt to William Jennings Bryan

Julius Kruttschnitt to William Jennings Bryan

Kruttschnitt, Julius, 1854-1925

WWP17788

1913 May 26

Julius Kruttschnit writes to Williams Jennings Bryan about the situation in Mexico.

Wilson Papers, Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

IN REPLY REFER TO NO. 077.4

Sir:

Following our interview of this morning, permit me to suggest the great opportunity of the present administration to perform a great service, not only to its own citizens interested in Mexico, but to the Mexican people and the citizens of foreign nations as well, all of whom — particularly the first mentioned — are entitled to the assistance of our Government for their protection in Mexico.The Southern Pacific Company has invested over forty millions ofdollars in the contruction of over 1000 miles of railway in Mexico, connecting with and designed to act as feeders to its system in the United States. It has large numbers of American citizens employed in managing and operating its Mexican lines, and these men, with their families, have for many months been exposed to violence and possible loss of life in performing duties on which their livelihood depends.
For several months, the Southern Pacific Company has been deprived of the possession of its railroad lines in Sonora and Sinaloa, which have been operated by the State Authorities with their own officers; and to prevent movement of federal troops they have destroyed large numbers of bridges and great quantities of rolling stock.
We pointed out in our conference that the present Congress, which was constitutionally elected at the time of the election of the late President Madero, has ordered an election to take place on the 26th of October, but it is very disquieting to consider the further loss of life and property that may take place in the interim, and we therefore respectfully suggest that our Government consider using its good offices to bring about an election at an early date, in other words, to attempt in this way to terminate bloodshed and the danger to American lives and property, which must otherwise continue for at least five months more.
Does it not seem, therefore, that the present administration has a great opportunity, by acting quickly, of presenting a plan to the Mexican Government urging it to call an election at an early date, instead of waiting until the 26th of October, and that such guarantee of a fair election in all of those states of which it has control, shall be given, as to command the confidence of all?

Offering our cooperation and that of our officers in any way in which it can assist,
I remain,
Very respectfully yours,
J. Kruttschnitt

Letter

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925