John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

Title

John Lind to William Jennings Bryan

Creator

Lind, John, 1854-1930

Identifier

WWP18085

Date

1913 October 9

Source

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

Subject

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

Text

McK CIPHER


Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Dated Oct. 9, 1913.
Recd Oct. 10, 9:50 am


Honorable William J. Bryan,
Secretary of State,
Washington.
October 9, 6 pm

Messengers of Huerta becoming more frequent. He is apparently getting anxious.
The Torreon incident may make the general situation very grave any day. I become more and more convinced that if order and pacification can be accomplished by Mexican means it will be necessary to utilize the rebel organization in part at least for the work. Federal army, made up largely as it is of convicts, may vanish in other places as it did at Torreon. And if in addition a few rebel victories should be reported, the whole country will be a sinew of lawlessness and rebellion. I do not predict this as an immediate menace but it is a contingency that should not be ignored.
Recognition of the rebels may become a vital question as one of the instruments for establishing a semblance of law and order. If recognition were deemed expedient for thatpurpose, would it not be feasible to arrive at an understanding with the rebels that recognition is granted on condition that the rebels shall not regard the entrance of United States troops at points where there is no adequate protection for life and property as an invasion or in any other light than as a friendly act to Mexico? Once recognized and afforded an a fair opportunity to contend, the rebels will easily prevail. The Huerta Government will crumble like a house of cards. The reason I venture above suggestion is because it would not surprise me to learn any morning that all means of communication between Mexico City and outside world have been severed. In such event a relief expedition would have to be started from the coast; should have good will of rebels.

LIND

Original Format

Letter

To

Bryan, William Jennings, 1860-1925

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Temp00571.pdf

Citation

Lind, John, 1854-1930, “John Lind to William Jennings Bryan,” 1913 October 9, WWP18085, First Year Wilson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.