John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

Lind, John, 1854-1930

WWP17939

1913 August 18

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

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

TELEGRAM RECEIVED.
CIPHER._____________From Mexico City,

Dated August 18, 1913
Rec’d 7:30 p. m.

Secretary of State,Washington.
August 18, 11 a. m.

After cabling last night I called on Gamboa in company with O’Shaugnessy. I expressed to him in the most earnest and vigorous manner not by way of threat but as my personal conviction that the rejection by his Government of the President’s proposition was a grave and perilous step: that any hope for division among the American people along partisan lines as he had intimated was utterly futile: that when the President was compelled to communicate to Congress and to the American people as he would be sooner or later all the incidents accompanying the change of Government, no American in or out of public life would dare to publicly defend the character the present Government (I had in mind the effect on Congress of President Harrison’s message on the Chilean trouble): that in my personal judgment speaking wholly without instructions but venturing and acting (?) ’s opinion based on most intimate knowledge of American character and public opinion which I had been in peculiar position by reason of my birth to study objectively one of three courses would be forced on the administration in spite of any less drastic policy that the President might wish to pursue. First, the modification of our neutrality laws in those respects in which they are more strict than international law; second, granting the rebels belligerency; third, intervention. Each of these alternatives was well within our right under the law of nations. I explained how public sentiment was almost unanimous for action differing only as to which course should be pursued. Mr. O’Shaugnessy agrees with me that my discussison of the first two alternatives made a profound impression; the third in less degree. He expressed hope that the President would modigfy his views xxxx when he saw the full text of his note. He did not in the least resent my earnestness but thanked me for my candor.Ra I am of impression that the situation can best be held in hand by avoiding press publicity. At present an official communication to Congress of all the facts if such is deemed proper or necessary would cause less irritation and be more impressive here. Text of note will follow

.LIND.

Letter

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925