William Jennings Bryan to Woodrow Wilson
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Aug 10
My Dear Mr President
The Mexican question has been on my mind today to the exclusion of all else and as a result I venture to make a suggestion for your consideration. The time has now come for action.
A. We have been delayed 1st by lack of information—we now have that. 2nd by having no one in the city of Mexico through whom you could act with the necessary freedom—now we have Lind there to advise with the Chargè.
3d by the desire to allow a reasonable time for those supporting Huerta to prove their ability—or inability—to restore order and establish peace—they have now had nearly 6 months.
B. If the time has come for action, what action should be taken? There are four courses which have been discussed. 1st Recognition of Huerta—this is indefensible on both material and moral grounds. 2nd Assistance to the constitutionalists by permitting them to impact areas—this would add to the confusion and increase the destruction of life and property. 3d Intervention—the cost of which in life and money no one could calculate, not to speak of consequences even more far reaching and more difficult to estimate. 4th Mediation—the tender of our good offices, as a neighbor and disinterested friend, with a view to assisting in the establishing of peace on a permanent basis. If we are not willing to adopt the first course—the recognition of Huerta—we must try the 4th—mediation—even though we contemplated the 2nd or 3d as a possibility later.
C. If mediation is is decided on, what steps are necessary? We do not know how the offer of mediation will be received—Huerta has announced in advance that he will not consider it—but there are two things which will have weight 1st proof that the American people are back of you—the unfriendly papers are attempting to make it appear that you do not reflect public sentiment on this subject. While definite action is likely to bring most of the papers to your support, still those opposing you will magnify whatever opposition there is unless you have a congressional endorsement back of you. Huerta will, secondly, be influenced by the views of the diplomatic representatives of other nations—and other nations will in turn be influenced by evidence of unity on the part of our nation.
D. Hence it would seem to be very desirable that there should be an endorsement of your policy by the Senate and House, and, if there is to be an endorsement it will be better to have it in advance of your action so that Huerta can not use the time to aggravate the situation before Congress can act. The suggestion which I would respectfully submit is that, when you are ready to act, you go before Congress—as you did in presenting tariff and currency problems and, stating your plan and the reasons for it, ask a resolution endorsing it. It compels each Senator and member to join you in taking responsibility for the course adopted or register his protest. I have no doubt that such a request would bring a nearly unanimous endorsement—and this would have its influence upon both Huerta and the foreign governments—possibly a deciding influence because exerted before adverse action is taken It would also prevent criticism if mediation fails.
Pardon me for using my pen but I was alone at the Department when I began to write
I am my dear Mr President,
Very truly yours
WJ Bryan
PS Here is an answer to Huerta. He says he will not consider mediation because it is a reflection on the dignity and sovereignty of the nation. Question: If he was willing to go to the Am Embassy and make an agreement with an insurrectionist General in order to become provisional President, why not accept our good offices to restore peace?
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