File No. 812.00/3670.
Pascual Orozco to the Acting Secretary of State.
(Received April 20, 1912—9 a.m.)
I have the honor to address you and to say that Mr. Marion Letcher, the American Consul accredited to Mr. Madero’s Government, has delivered to me, unofficially, a note sent by the Department of State to the American Embassy in Mexico for communication to Mr. Madero and me. I hasten here to declare that the revolution has been actuated by no sentiment antagonistic to the Government or people of the United States but by the natural desire to occupy the place that belongs to it under the provisions of international law that we have fully observed in every act of ours. The American consuls accredited to Mr. Madero’s Government and residing within the territory controlled by the revolution I am leading are not also accredited to us, and on account of these conditions I have thought there was no regular and reciprocal agency for official acts which in my opinion should already be openly recognized, owing to the fact that this revolution meets all requirements for recognition as a de facto government in accordance with international law. The American consuls on the territory occupied by the revolution and the citizens of your country and other nations nevertheless enjoy every protection and guaranty they merit, and I shall pay the best attention to all complaints and petitions they may see fit to lay before me in behalf of their nationals, for it has been my special care to recommend my associates and subordinates to make it their rule to hold the lives and interests of foreigners in the most profound respect. Therefore, and even though the commissions which accredit the consuls of the United States to Mr. Madero’s Government should be operative with his Government, by which alone the formal exequatur [Page 796] was issued to them, I am resolved on extending to them the same consideration and on listening to all their applications and requests, wishing thus to perform a pleasant duty of courtesy and demonstrate our desire to maintain the most cordial relations with all the foreign powers. To that end, sir, I beg leave to say to you that the armed movement I am leading meets all the conditions required by international law as condensed at the meeting held at Neuchatel by the Institute of International Law on September 8, 1900:
- I.
- The revolution has conquered a well-defined territorial area by holding a definite part of the national territory.
- II.
- The revolution has been given the elements of a regular government which actually exercises over that part of the territory the apparent and virtual rights of sovereignty, for it possesses a federative entity under its control, a constituted government that has adhered to the revolution, a legislative chamber that has recognized it, and the regular operation of all public services, such as the mails, railways, telegraphs, etc.
- III.
- The contest I am conducting is carried on by organized troops subjected to military discipline and obeying the laws and usages of war.
- IV.
- Throughout the territory occupied by the revolution, the most perfect order and morality prevail and the lives and property of nationals and foreigners are respected, as may be certified by all the consuls residing in that territory.
- V.
- There are no conditions of anarchy in the territory occupied by us, but all the political, civil, and judicial authorities are regularly officiating and the courts are administering prompt justice. Under all these conditions, I think I am in position to obtain the recognition of belligerency, which act, on the part of your Government, would be the first step toward the initiation of frank relations with the present de facto government represented by the revolution, which will beyond a doubt triumph over Mr. Madero’s Government, because it is supported by public opinion and justice. Neither about the proceedings of the revolution nor about the true expression of public sentiment has the truth been told by the press, and it becomes necessary to have it reported to their Governments by the foreign consuls themselves.
I deem it an honor, sir, to avail myself of this opportunity to say to your excellency that I have accredited as confidential agent to enter upon relations with your Government Señor Licenciado Don Manuel L. Luján, who is now in the United States accompanied by a secretary and a military attaché. I should be highly gratified if I could receive through him your Government’s reply, even though it were unofficial. But as it may be that in the prosecution of the campaign it will be impossible to avail myself of that channel, I take pleasure in saying that I am ready to listen and attend to all suggestions, requests, or claims that your Government may be pleased to bring before me through any channel that your Department may deem most appropriate.
Offering to your excellency the assurances of my highest and most distinguished consideration.
Reform, liberty, and justice.