John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

Lind, John, 1854-1930

WWP17972

1913 August 25

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

WWP17974

C I P H E R

McK Mexico City.
Dated Aug. 25, 1913.
Recd 12 midnight.
Secretary of State,
Washington.
August 25, 6 pm

No instructions having bee reached the British Minister at four o’clock and having learned through Mr. Strong that Gamboa had said that he could not conceive of any cessation of negotiations until his note had been answered, I hastily prepared and submitted through Gamboa the note which follows. Gamboa requested that the President’s message be delayed until Wednesday. I so request.
I leave tomorrow morning for Vera Cruz. Gamboa kindly offered a squad of police which I accepted. I venture no preediction as to the Government’s answer. No one can forecast by our standards. I feel that our record is made and that it is the true record. I am grateful to the President and to you for the opportunity to help make it. If answer is made by Gamboa tomorrow it will be communicated to O’Shaughnessy and forwarded by him. I will sail from Vera Cruz Thursday afternoon unless advised fdifferently in care of Consul Canada:“Mr. Minister: The President has not directed me to answer the observations contained in your note of August 16th, 1913, and inasmuch as they are not by me deemed pertinent to the suggestions contained in my instructions communicated to you, I refrain from discussing them. In the original instructions of the President it will be noted that he expressly states. ‘We wish to act in these circumstances, in the spirit of the most earnest and disinterested friendship. It is our purpose, in whatever we do or propose in this perplexing and distressing situation, not only to pay the most scrupulous regard to the sovereignty and the independence of Mexico, - that we take as a matter of course, to which we are bound by every obligation of right and honor - but also to give every possible evidence that we act in the interests of Mexico alone, and not in the interest of any person or body of persons who may have personal or property claims in Mexico which they in such matters feel that they have the right to press. We are seeking to counsel Mexico for her own good and in the interest of her own peace, and not for any other purpose whatever. The Government of the United States would deem itself discredited if it had any selfish or ulterior purpose in transactions where the peace, happiness, and prosperity of a whole people are involved. It is acting as its friendship for Mexico, not as any selfish interest dictates.’“As to the course of action suggested by you to be taken by the United States, I may say that the President regards the question of the recognition of the de facto Government and of any future Government in Mexico as one wholly for the United States to determine. In the exercise of its sovereign rights in this behalf the United States will not hesitate to suggest the adoption by the de facto Government, seeking recognition, especially in a time of serious domestic disturbances, of such course of action as in the judgment of the United States can alone lead to recognition in the future. In the Present instance the President of the United States sincerely and ardently believes that the de facto Government of Mexico will see in his suggestions the most feasible plan for serving the highest interests of Mexico and for insuring the speedy reestablishment of domestic tranquillity. In that spirit and in the spirit voiced in his original instructions, the President authorizes me to submit for the consideration of the de facto Government of Mexico the following propositions:“First. That the election called for October 26, 1913, shall be held in accordance with the Constitution and laws of Mexico.“Second. That President Huerta, in the manner originally indicated by the President, give the assurances called for in paragraph ‘C’ of my original instructions.“Third. That the remaining propositions contained in my original instructions shall be taken up later, but speedily, and resolved as circumstances permit and in the spirit of their proposal.“The President further authorizes me to say that if the de facto Government at once acts favorably upon the foregoing suggestions then, in that event, the President will express to American bankers and their associates assurances that the Government of the United States will look with favor upon the extension of an immediate loan sufficient in amount to meet the temporary requirements of the de facto Government of Mexico.

“It is sincerely hoped that Your Excellency’s Government will deem it consistent with the best and highest interests of Mexico to immediately accept these propositions. They are submitted in the same spirit and to the same end as the original propositions, but in this more restricted form so that the de facto Government may act thereon without requiring the cooperation or concurrence of any other factor in the situation. Permit me, also, Mr. Minister, in submitting this final suggestion from the President of the United States, to assure you of my deep personal obligation and my innermost sense of appreciation of the numerous evidences of personal good will of which I have been the recipient at the hands of Your Excellency, of individual citizens of the City of Mexico and of the Provisional President.“

It only remains for me to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my high consideration.

(Suigned) J O H N L I N D
Personal Representative of the President of the United States of America.”

L I N D

Letter

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925