File No. 812.00/10308.
The American Chargé d’Affaires at
Rio de Janeiro to the Secretary of
State.
[Extract]
No. 280.]
American Embassy,
Rio de Janeiro,
November 21, 1913.
Sir: I have the honor to enclose, for the
consideration of the Department, a copy and translation of an
interesting editorial from the Jornal da Commercio of Rio de Janeiro, of
the 19th instant, relative to the policy of our Government as regards
Mexico.
As the Department is doubtless aware, the Jornal do Commercio is by far
the most representative paper published in this capital and in fact, in
the opinion of many, ranks among South American papers second only to La
Prensa of Buenos Aires. Its editor and owner is Dr. Jose Carlos
Rodrigues, a man of wide experience and balance, who has traveled
extensively in the United States and elsewhere. Dr. Rodrigues is a close
personal friend of Dr. Lauro Müller and is in full accord with the
Minister’s policy as regards the relations between the United States and
Brazil in the Mexican situation. * * *
The accompanying excerpt and translation from the Correio da Manhã of
today’s date—another important metropolitan journal—indicates quite
clearly the trend of public opinion.
I have [etc.]
[Inclosures—Extracts—Translations.]
[Untitled]
From the Journal do Commercio:
President Wilson does not desire intervention in Mexico nor in any
other country. What he desires is that there should be established
in that country a regular government recognized by the people. He is
not influenced by the fact that other nations, badly informed,
hastened to recognize Huerta. He has his policy and does not waver
in it. He has a perfect right to intervene in Mexico now, or to end
the illegal and immoral government of Huerta, or, if he should be
appealed to by the revolutionists, if the constituted “government”
allows the struggle to be prolonged by lack of resistance: this
right is
[Page 863]
the same as that
exercised 46 years ago when the Government at Washington intimated
to Napoleon that the French troops should be withdrawn from
Mexico.
It is enough for us, not having interests there ourselves, to follow
the policy of our friend the United States, which has important
interests; and we should remember also that this is the policy of
our Minister for Foreign Relations, who is so wisely directing our
international policy.
From the Correio da Manhã:
The United States, in endeavoring to free Mexico from Huerta’s
Government, is inspired by the requirements of civilization and the
rights of humanity. All the civilized world is in sympathy with this
desire. Brazil, an old friend of the United States, together with
other countries, welcomes the efforts of the Government at
Washington to restore peace in Mexico, freeing that country at the
same time from a government which Mexico herself repels, a
government detested by the best citizens, a barbarous government
which rose out of the assassination of Madero and which only lives
through terror and the shedding of blood.
It remains to be seen whether the United States is in such a position
in regard to Mexico that intervention is justified. This is a
delicate question and for this reason the Government at Washington
has hesitated to decide it. Nevertheless the United States and its
citizens have suffered great losses. In Mexico it is not only the
property of Americans that is to be protected but even their lives.
The United States might also legitimately intervene in the cause of
humanity.
