File No. 812.00/3005c.
The Acting Secretary of State to the American Ambassador.
Washington, March 2, 1912—3 p.m.
The following proclamation by the President is promulgated to-day:
by the president of the united states of america.
a proclamation.
Whereas serious disturbances and forcible resistance to the authorities of the established Government exist in certain portions of Mexico; and
Whereas under these conditions it is the duty of all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States to refrain from the commission of acts prohibited by the law thereto relating and subversive of the tranquility of a country with which the United States is at peace; and
Whereas the laws of the United States prohibit under such circumstances all persons within and subject to their jurisdiction from taking part contrary to said laws in any such disturbances adversely to such established government; and
Whereas by express enactment if two or more persons conspire to commit an offense against the United States, any act of one conspirator to effect the object of such conspiracy renders all the conspirators liable to fine and imprisonment; and
Whereas there is reason to believe that citizens of the United States and others within their jurisdiction fail to apprehend the meaning and operation of the applicable laws of the United States as authoritatively interpreted and may be misled into participation in transactions which are violations of said laws and which will render them liable to the severe penalties provided for such violations;
Now, therefore, in recognition of the laws governing and controlling in such matters as well as in discharge of the obligations of the United States towards a friendly country, and as a measure of precaution, and to the end that citizens of the United States and all others within their jurisdiction may be deterred from subjecting themselves to legal forfeitures and penalties;
I, William Howard Taft, President of the United States of America, do hereby admonish all such citizens and other persons to abstain from every violation of the laws hereinbefore referred to, and do hereby warn them that all violations of such laws will be rigorously prosecuted; and I do hereby enjoin upon all officers of the United States charged with the execution of such laws the utmost diligence in preventing violations thereof and in bringing to trial and punishment any offenders against the same; and finally I do hereby give notice that all persons owing allegiance to the United States who may take part in the disturbances now existing in Mexico, unless in the necessary defense of their persons or property, or who shall otherwise engage in acts subversive of the tranquillity of that country, will do so at their peril and that they can in no wise obtain any protection from the Government of the United States against the appropriate legal consequences of their acts, in so far as such consequences are in accord with equitable justice and humanity and the enlightened principles of international law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington this 2d day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and thirty-sixth.
| [seal.] | Wm. H. Taft. |
By the President:
Huntington Wilson,
Acting Secretary of State.
The foregoing proclamation is not a declaration of neutrality, nor a recognition of a state of belligerency in Mexico; it is merely an [Page 733] admonition and warning to all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States and to American citizens generally to obey carefully and strictly the laws of the United States and to hold themselves wholly aloof from all participation of whatever kind in the present disturbances in Mexico. You will make all this quite clear to the Mexican Government.
Coincidental with this promulgation the Department is giving to the press this afternoon the following, not as a statement but for their guidance:
The following telegram was made public by the Department of State to-day [Department’s telegram of March 2, 2 p.m.]:
Strong hope is expressed that the Government of President Madero will soon be able to put an end to the brigandage and disorder in those parts of Mexico where these factors are the most serious aspects of the insurrectionary outbreaks and that in this way Mexico will gradually return to normal conditions.
The President’s proclamation adjuring Americans and all other persons within American jurisdiction to hold aloof and to make no use of American territory for the disturbance of the neighboring Republic is fresh evidence of the determination of the administration to let the Mexicans settle their own difficulties, without influence, one way or the other, from outside. It is hoped that good may result through making this clear and through breaking up, so far as possible, various propaganda being carried on in this country.
It will be observed that the proclamation is not a declaration of neutrality nor is it in any way a recognition of a state of belligerency in Mexico; it is merely an admonition and warning to all persons within the jurisdiction of the United States, and to American citizens generally, to obey carefully and strictly the laws of the United States, and to hold themselves wholly aloof from all participation of whatever kind in the present disturbances in Mexico.
The situation in Mexico changes from day to day, conditions being fairly good in large areas, but there have been so much lawlessness and so many depredations upon property in certain localities that a good many Americans have left the worst districts, and a great many inquiries and representations are reaching both the Department of State and the Embassy at Mexico City. It has, therefore, been thought best to authorize the Ambassador, who has the best opportunities to know the local situation, to advise any Americans, when he thinks it wise to do 30, to leave this or that particular locality where the lawless element may have gained temporary ascendancy.
As is well known, it has always been and is the determined purpose of the President absolutely to avoid any intervention in Mexico. This fact is understood to have actuated the Department of State in thinking it right that any Americans in Mexico who may be resident in really dangerous places should be placed in a position to consider their temporary removal to be a measure of prudence.
The attitude of the administration, as shown by the President’s proclamation, and by the instructions published to-day, is taken as fresh evidence of the fixed policy of nonintervention, and it is hoped that there will now be an end to foolish rumors of intervention.
This is communicated to you so that you may cause the friendly, patient, and considerate attitude of this Government to be fully appreciated and prevent misinterpretation.