James Bryce to Woodrow Wilson
Title
James Bryce to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Bryce, James Bryce, Viscount, 1838-1922
Identifier
WWP18155
Date
1913 November 7
Description
James Bryce writes to Woodrow Wilson congratulating him on the success of the Tariff Bill and communicating his concerns about the Mexico situation.
Source
Wilson Papers, Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Text
My dear President
James Bryce
Page has won golden opinions here, as I gather on all sides, and has every prospect of fully justifying your choice.
PS I am deeply concerned at the situation that confronts you in Mexico. From what I saw of that country when I travelled there and from what I have since seen of other Spanish American countries, I should fear that nothing can be done from outside to better their condition except at a dangerous cost to the benevolent neighbour. There is not now all through “Latin America” except possibly in Chile, such a thing as an honest election. Every Government ‘takes care’ of the elections, with fraud, or violence, or both; and the social conditions are such that this must happen. The best thing that can happen to one of these so–called republics is to get as soon as possible a dictator who will keep order and give a chance for material & educational progress. Porfirio Diaz did this, especially on the economic side; and if there had been a succession of such rulers for two or three generations, Mexico might be where Argentina is now, with the beginnings of a middle class capable of learning how to use free institutions. By Argentina has scarce any Indians: Mexico’s population is two thirds Indian, & the mestizos little bettermore advanced
Thank you very much for the message you were kind enough to send through your Ambassador and which he read last night at a dinner given to me here. It is an unusual honour, and one which my wife and I deeply appreciate.
I congratulate you heartily on your wonderful success with the Tariff Bill, to which there has been, I think, no parallel in U. S. history for many & many a year.
James Bryce
Page has won golden opinions here, as I gather on all sides, and has every prospect of fully justifying your choice.
PS I am deeply concerned at the situation that confronts you in Mexico. From what I saw of that country when I travelled there and from what I have since seen of other Spanish American countries, I should fear that nothing can be done from outside to better their condition except at a dangerous cost to the benevolent neighbour. There is not now all through “Latin America” except possibly in Chile, such a thing as an honest election. Every Government ‘takes care’ of the elections, with fraud, or violence, or both; and the social conditions are such that this must happen. The best thing that can happen to one of these so–called republics is to get as soon as possible a dictator who will keep order and give a chance for material & educational progress. Porfirio Diaz did this, especially on the economic side; and if there had been a succession of such rulers for two or three generations, Mexico might be where Argentina is now, with the beginnings of a middle class capable of learning how to use free institutions. By Argentina has scarce any Indians: Mexico’s population is two thirds Indian, & the mestizos little bettermore advanced
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Bryce, James Bryce, Viscount, 1838-1922, “James Bryce to Woodrow Wilson,” 1913 November 7, WWP18155, First Year Wilson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.