File No. 812.00/11714, 12282.
Special Agent Carothers to the Secretary of State.
Following for your information:
An expression for the information of President Woodrow Wilson; forwarded through G. C. Carothers.
The great majority of the Mexican people, comprising all of the liberal party of warm democratic aspirations, recognize the greatness and power of the American people and are thankful for the sympathy they have shown for Mexico and their desire for its progress, manifested by their moral support of democratic Mexicans in the Revolution of 1910 and this one of 1913–14. They believe in the sincerity of the declarations of President Wilson that no war with Mexico is desired, and on their part aspire to live in good friendship with the United States.
They are sure that the difficulties between the United States of America and the United Mexican States have originated in the deliberate attempt of the usurper Huerta to force a war between the two countries, and it would be very lamentable if the satanic abilities of this perfidious man should launch into war two brotherly countries which have so long desired to live in the most harmonious fraternal relations.
It is true that the situation has been aggravated by the form of the note of the Constitutional Governor of Coahuila, First Chief of the Constitutionalist Army; but this note was entirely personal, and the attitude of one person, whatever his momentary authority, cannot carry such weight as to bring on a war between two countries desiring to continue at peace, disdaining the machinations of Huerta, whom both countries consider a common enemy.
The worthy pride of the Mexican chief of a great party is quite excusable even if it should expose the country to a lamentable war. The President of the great North American nation should measure up to his noble antecedents and the greatness of the country he represents, because our sister countries of Latin America hang on his words. He has before him the judgment of history, which shall decide whether he has been truly great, and moved only by his high ideals of justice and democracy, or was in the end influenced by the satanic machinations of one man and the haughtiness of another.
I can assure you that our Chief, Mr. Carranza, is animated by the keenest desire to avoid difficulties between our respective countries; and we, following his patriotic impulses and as faithful servants of our country, are of the same inclination. Mr. Carranza in his note has only endeavored to defend the dignity of the Republic, without the least intending his attitude to be considered as a hostile act against the Government of the United States, from which country we have received such great demonstrations of consideration and sympathy.
Francisco Villa.
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua,
April 25, 1911