The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-28

made sound and lasting only II II be the
product of a genuine freedom, a just and
orderly government founded upon law
Only so can IL be peaceful or fruitful Of
the benefits of peace. Mexico has great
and enviable future before her If only
shee choose and attain the paths of hon
est constitutional government
Present Circumstances
THE present circumstances of the
republic. 1 deeply regret to say, de
not seem to promise even the founda-
tion of such peace We have waited
many months. months fun of peril and
anxiety for the conditions there To i'm
prove, and they have not improved
They have Ngrown worse rather. The
territory in some sort controlled BY
the provisional authorities at Mexico
City has grown smaller. not larger. The
prospect of the pacifcation of the
country even by firearms has seemed
to grow more and more remote. and
its pacihcation by the authorities Of
the capital is evidently impossible by
any other means than force. Difficult
ties more and more entangfe those
whose claim for governing tho right
of the government becomes apparent.
This is not found to be a fact. Their
successes are only ephemeral. War. dis
ease. and devastation with confusion
seem to threaten the settled fortune OF
the distraught country. We can walt
no longer for a solution which every
week seemed further off. 1t was our
duty, at least. to volunteer onr good
offices. To offer to assist. IL We might,
in effecting some arrangement which
would bring the appearance OF relief
and peace and set up a universally ac-
knowledged political authority there.
Accordingly, | took the liberty OF
sending the Hon. John Lind, formerly
governor of Minnesota, as my personal
spokesman and representative to the
city of Mexico with the following in
structions.
"'Press very earnestly upon the at
tention of those who are now axercis-
ing authority or welding inference in
Mexico the following considerations
and advice
Time to Take Action
1.-THE government of the United
States does not feel at liberty any long
er to stand inactively by while 1t be-
comes daily more and more evident
that no real progress Is being made to-
ward the establishment of a govern
ment at Mexico City, of which the
country will obey and respect
1.-THE government of the United
States does not stand in the same case
with the other great governments of
the world in respect of what is hap
pening or what is likely to happen in
Mexico.
e."We offer our good offices not only
because OF our genuine desire 10 play
the part of a friend but also because
we are expected by the powers of the
world to act as MXico's nearest friend
I've wish to act in these circum-
stances In the spirit of most earnest
and disinterestedness friendship
1T Is our purpose in whatever we do
In, 10 nd lietrPEg-
ing situation not only to pay the most
scrupulous regard to tn sovereignty and
independence of Mexico, that We take as
matter of course to which we are
bound by every obligation of right and
honor, but also to give every possible
evidence that we act in the interest of
Mexico alone and not in the interest of
any person or body of persons who may
have personal or property claims in Mex
leo, which they may feel they have the
right TO press.
No Ulterior Purpose
I'VE are seeking to counsel Mexico for
her own good and in the interest of her
own peace and not for any other pur-
pose whatever. The government of the
United States would deem itself dis
credited If it had any selfish or Interior
purpose in transactions where the peace,
happiness and prosperity of a whole peo-
pie are involced. 1t is acting as its
friendshi pfor Mexico, not as a selfish
interest, seemingly dictates.
'The present situation in Mexico is
Incompatible with the fulfillment of in
ternational obligations on the part of
Mexico, with the civilized development of
Mexico herself. and with the maintenance
of tolerable political and economic condi-
tions In Central America. II Is upon no
common occasion, therefore, that the Uni
+oI Gf,.fa see hsst. raI -s-4
ance. All America cries out for a set
tlement.
"A satisfactory settlement seems to
us to be conditioned on: (a), an immediate
cessation of fighting throughout Mexico,
a definite armistice solemnly entered into
and scrupulously observed; (b). security
given for an early and free election in
which all will agree to take part: (c), the
consent of General Huerta to bind him
self not to be a candidate for election
as President of the republic at this cleo
ton; Id, the agreement of all parties to
abide by the results of the election and
cooperate in the most loyal way In or
ganizing and completing the new govern
ment.
Ready to Assist
THE United States government will
be glad to play any part In this settle
ment or in its carrying out which Il can
international right 1t pledges itself to
recognize and in every way possible. and
proper. to assist the administration chosen
and set up in Mexico In the way and on
the conditions suggested.
Taking all the existing conditions
into consideration, the government of the
United States can conceive of no reasons
sufficient to justify those who are now
attempting to shape the policy or exercise
the thought of Mexico In declining the
offices of friendship thus proffered Can
Mexico give the civilized world a satisfac-
tory reason for rejecting our good offices?
III Mexico evan suggest any better
way in which to show our friendship
serve the people of Mexico and meet our
international obligations we are more than
willing to consider the suggestion.
Mr.. Lind executed his delicate and diff
hcult mission with singular tact. frra-
ness and good judgment and made clear
to the authorities at the City OF Mexico
not only the purpose of his visit. bur
also the spirit in which it had been un
dertaken
But the proposals be submitted were
rejected. In note. the full text of which
take the liberty of laying before you. is
herewith attached:
. I am led to believe they were rejected
because the authorities at Mexico CITY
had been grossly misinformed and mislead
upon two points. They did not realize
the spirit of the American people in this
matter. their earnest friendliness, and
yet sober determination that some Just
solution be found for the Mexican diff
culties; and they did not believe that the
present administration spoke through Mr..
+ I'D g., l.