File No. 812.00/6208.
The American Ambassador to the Secretary of State.
Mexico, February 17, 1913—1 a.m.
Department’s February 15, midnight. Although the Embassy’s February 14, 2 p.m., February 15, 11 a.m., February 15, 7 p.m., [Page 716] February 15, 11 p.m., would seem to have covered the Department’s inquiry, I may say in amplification thereof that in the interview with Mr. Lascurain on Friday [Feb. 14] he asked me in a purely offhand and friendly way whether our Government had any intention of landing troops in Mexico. I replied that I had received no instructions in that matter and had no authority therein, but that he must understand that it was possible that European powers were bringing pressure upon the Government and that if the situation here grew to be intolerable, involving great danger to foreign nationals, my Government would necessarily have to consider the question of obtaining that protection which the Mexican Government seemed unable to give. It was distinctly understood at that time that we were talking man to man and entirely outside of official relations. I have not mentioned the intentions of our Government on any other occasion except that of my visit with the German Minister to the palace, when, as recited to him, my February 15, 11 p.m.,1 the President expressed the hope that we would not land marines, [I] replied simply that I had no instructions and no authority in the matter. This afternoon I visited Mr. Lascurain and recalled the character of our interview to him. He agreed with me in every particular and said that if I would address a note to him he would reply in accordance with our understanding. I accordingly wrote such a note, marked it purely personal and unofficial, and dispatched it to him by Mr. Tennant, asking for a reply. Notwithstanding the personal character of the note Mr. Lascurain said that he could not reply without consulting with the President, asking Mr. Tennant to return at 7.30. Mr. Tennant went at 7.30. Mr. Lascurain, apparently much excited, asked for a further delay until morning.
I may say, in regard to President Madero’s telegram, that it is irregular, false, and misleading, and that, having informed him so, I may also inform the Department to the same effect. My colleagues, who united with me in sending a representation to the President relative to his resignation, desire me to express their entire disapproval of the President’s telegram in so far as the same relates to the nature of their representation, as it was fully understood both by the President and my colleagues that their representations were friendly and unofficial. They intend to so inform their Governments. I shall greatly appreciate and believe it to be of real importance that the President, in his reply to the President of Mexico, will sharply rebuke the scarcely veiled attack on this Embassy, which is endeavoring to do its full duty in a trying situation; and also that the note of Mexican Embassy may be rebuked as false, misleading, and entirely irregular in the diplomatic conference exchanges between governments.
Although only the representatives of the great powers have acted with me in these matters, we have the support of the entire Diplomatic Corps.
- This passage was probably corrupted in transmission, but stands uncorrected in the files; the meaning is probably, “when as recited in my February 15, 11 p.m.”; in the telegram referred to, however, there is no such recital.↩