John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

Lind, John, 1854-1930

WWP17958

1913 August 22

John Lind writes to William Jennings Bryan about the Mexico situation.

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

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

Fe CIPHER Mexico,
Dated August 22, 1913.
Rec’d Aug. 23, 9 a. m.
Secretary of State,
Washington, DC
August 22, 12 midgnight.

Your two cables received.
Present indications are that Gamboa’s trip will be abandoned. I feel it unwise for him to leave and I think he is of the same opinion. This morning’s press reports of the action in the Senate and the intended message to be delivered has caused the state of gfeeling here that I anticipated. Whether it has moved Huerta I cannot say but some of his nearest friends are exceedingly solicitous that I should urge upon the President to regfrain from delivering his message and to urge utmost endeavors to delay action by Congress in the hope that a satisfactory adjustment may be arrived at. I insisted as a condition precedent to any action on my part that Huerta forthwith agree to the following: First. That the election called for October twenty–sixth shall be held in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Mexico; Second, that General Huerta either publicly or in some other manner satisfactory to the President and to myself give the assurances called for in Paragraph “C” of the proposal.
I also said that if Huerta concedes these two propositions which are the official ones that he can act on alone then I will urge upon the President to continue to exercise his good offices to prevent precipitate action in Congress and to delay the delivery of the contemplated message for such time as he may deem consistent with his duty to the American people; and that the remaining propositions shall be taken up later and resolved as circumstances permit and in the spirit of their proposal.
The need for funds is pressing and will shortly be imperative. In the absence of recognition it is assumed that no loan can be negotiated. To relieve this embarrassment I suggested that if the above be accepted I would request him to give American bankers and their associates assurances in such form as may to him seem proper that the American Government will look with favor upon a loan sufficient in amount to meet the temporary requirements of the de facto Government.
Mr. Gamboa, for reasons that would appeal to you if you knew the situation as I view it, did not deem it prudent for him to make this final proposal to Huerta. It seemed to us best that it should be made by the British Minister Mr. Strong. I have spent much of the day with Mr. Strong. He is willing to take this proposition to Huerta and promised to do so some hours ago. He just informs me however that on reflection he does not feel justified in doing so without the approval of his Government and he is now cabling for its permission. Personally I felt so clear on this proposition that I should have taken this action submitting it to the President fearing unfavorable consequences from delay but now I submit my views for approval or rejection. I declined to make any statement in writing but Mr. Strong made a memorandum of our conversation which corresponds with this report thereon. Since writing the above mentioned I have communicated with Gamboa. He begged me to express his sincere appreciation of the President’s cordial consideration of his request. I think it wholly inexpedient to insist on the withdrawal of note as a condition precedent to the consideration by Huerta of the proposition I have outlined.
I sincerely appreciate your expression of confidence and wish to say that if I succeed in any degree it will largely be due to the cordial and efficient cooperation of Mr. O’Shaughnessy and the whole Embassy staff.

Letter

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925