John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

Y CIPHER.

From Mexico City,
Dated Aug. 16, 10 pm.
Rec’d Aug. 17, 10 am 1913.


Secretary of State,
Washington.
August 16, 10x pm.

Yesterday I had many I think inspired callers, Mexicans and Americans, who urged that the Huerta Government is all there is to save the country from anarchy, that to attempt an election in the present state of affairs would be farcical, that the United States could best serve Mexico by recognizing Huerta and thus facilitate and expedite pacification. Today the British Minister called and really urged the same considerations. Of course he did not suggest any course of action. He thought I ought to see Huerta and offered his good offices to secure an interview. This I declined courteously saying that I was in touch with Gamboa, that if it was agreeable to have me call then the suggetstion had best come through the proper channel. I gathered from Minister’s converstation that he had had no instructions beyond a suggestion received probably Thursday that he ask the Mexican Government to carefully consider the representations made by the United States. My impressions on general situation may be summarized as follows: The views that have come to me group themselves into three classes. First, those indicated above held by the great landowners, the foreigners, and some Americans with large business interests. This class denies that there is any agrarian or other factor to account for present conditions, except the perversity of the lower classes, — military dictatorship their remedy. Secondx classx which includes Mexicans and many Americans, the most thoughtful and some of large property interests, who believe the agrarian question is at bottom of trouble aggravated by misrule. They believe that an efficient, liberal government, if such could be secured either through our good offices or by intervention, which would inaugurate necessary reforms would solve the problem. The third class composed of both Mexicans and Americans see no hope except in intervention and American control for an indefinite period. All concur that the situation is very precarious and fraught with all sorts of menace. In this I concur. If the President’s proposals be finally accepted the real task begins. Cooperation of all the rebels cannot be hoped for with Huerta in the saddle; without some degree of cooperation from him little can be done without invoking other force.
These are my views in brief at the end of the first week. I am not discouraged, not without hope, but the situation is sufficiently grave to justify preparation for every contingency. I discuss no politics, I ask some questions, I listen patiently.
Have just learned that reply to President’s proposition will be delivered tomorrow morning.