John Lind to William Jennings Bryan
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Dated Oct. 23, 1913,
Rec’d Oct. 24, 3:15 pm
Honorable Wm. J. Bryan,
Secretary of State,
Washington, DC
Oct. 23, 11 am
The military situation continues about the same -- a see-saw from day to day. Being without artillery the rebels can hold places which they capture only long enough to levy tribute. It is questionable whether they can hold Torreon but they control the country generally in the north and in many localities in the south. This in connection with lack of labor has virtually suspended agricultural operations. The peons do not venture to accept work away from their homes and (?) places. All strangers in a community are captured on some trumped up charge and sent to the Army. The cotton is going to waste in the fields. The coffee is unpicked and little cane will be ground. Business is rapidly coming to a standstill. The radical fiscal changes decreed by Huerta are ruinous. His forced loans are becoming more numerous. The Banco National paid the sum referred to in my last on Monday. It is provided in Huerta decree that certificates receivable for duties up to November tenth may be bought at a ten per cent. discount. He expects by this means and by forced loans to keep things going until December tenth. It is now confidently expected that Carden will recommend to the bankers that it is safe to exercise the option and take the bonds already authorized. I am of the opinion that he will so recommend and that the loan will be completed. Evidence is accumulating that Carden knew what was going to happen on the tenth and that the presentation of credentials was timed with reference to it. My evidence on this point is not complete but convincing to me. I also believe that Carden advised Huerta to strengthen his dictatorship by securing an endorsement at the polls. You observe that England now proposes to await the result of the election. In his interview in MEXICAN HERALD yesterday Carden justifies his stand against the United States on the ground of “our ignorance of Mexican affairs”. Lord Cowdray through his influence and family ties with members of the English Cabinet absolutely dictates the Mexican policy of England. He does not propose to take any chances of having his concessions scrutinized by unfriendly eyes nor does he want a form of Government which he cannot control. The way his domination works out in practice so far as our interests are concerned is illustrated by the recent fiscal regulations. Congress proposed to tax oil one dollar per ton -- Congress goes to jail -- Huerta as dictator instead levies the required revenue on industry and commerce. The United States the principal exporter is the principal sufferer.
Mrs. Lind returns home today. I had a couple of hours confidential interview with Diaz last night. His staff is already in jail.