File No. 812.00/23456.
The Secretary of State to the Special Commissioners.
Washington, June 4, 1914.
The President directs me to say that he does not understand that the Governments represented by the Mediators can or should direct the Mediators as to terms of settlement or course of procedure. Mediation is essentially different from arbitration. The object of mediation is to bring the parties together and secure a peaceful settlement of an international difficulty. The Mediators hear both sides and then, as friends and neighbors, endeavor to find a basis upon which the parties can adjust their dispute. The Mediators being unbiased can have no pride of opinion as to what should be done, neither can their Governments be interested in dictating terms. The only question before the Mediators is, What is desired by the parties involved in the dispute? If the Mediators were compelled to submit terms of settlement to their respective Governments and then bound to follow instructions given by their Governments, we should be compelled to present our views at Rio, Buenos Aires, and Santiago, which is of course impossible. We sincerely hope that the Mediators will see the necessity of dealing with the situation as it presents itself in Mexico, not as it may seem to their own Government officials, who are far removed from the scene and cannot be fully informed as to the difficulties to be met. We feel sure that on reflection they will see their duties in this light.