Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-27
Proposals Were Rejected.


ness, and good Judgment, and made clear
to the authorities at the City of Mexico
not only the purpose of his visit but also
taken But the proposals he submitted
were rejected. in a note the full text of
which l take the liberty Of laying before
you.
1 am led to believe that they were re-
jected partly because the authorities
at Mexico city had been grossly misin-
formed and misled upon two points They
did not realize the spirit of the Amer
lean people in this matter, their earnest
frlendliness and yet sober determination
that some just solution be found for the
Mexican difficulties: and they did not
believe that the present administration
spoke. through Mr.. Lind. for the people
of the United States. The effect of this
unfortunate misunderstanding on their
part is to leave them singularly isolated
and without friends who can effectually
aid them. So long as the misunderstand-
ing continues We can only await the
time of their awakening to a realization
of the actual facts. We cannot thrust
our good offices upon them, The stu,
alton must be given a little more time
to work itself out in the new circum-
stances: and 1 believe that only a little
While will be necessary. For the crcum-
stances are new. The rejection of our
friendship makes them new and will
the whole aspect of affairs. The actual
situation of the authorities at Mexico
city will presently be revealed.
Meanwhile. what is it our duty to
do? Clearly, everything that we do
must be rooted in patience and done
with calm and disinterested delibera-
ton. Impatience on our part would
be childish. and would be- fraught
with every risk of wrong and folly.
We can afford to exercise the self
or int Of Nv ma yxyhi n
realizes it's own strength and scorns
to misuse it. 1t was our duty to offer
our active assistance. 1t is now our
duty to show what true neutrality will
do to enable the people of Mexico to
set their affairs In order again and
wait for a further opportunity to offer
our friendly counsels. The door Is not
closed against the resumption, either
upon the initiative Of Mexico or upon
our own. of the effort to bring order
out of the confusion by friendly CO.
operative action, should fortunate oc-
casion offer.
While we wait the contest OF the rival
forces will undoubtedly for little while
be sharper than ever. just because 1t VIII
be plain that an end must be made Of the
existing situation. and that very prompt
ly; and with the increased activity Of the
contending factions will come, it is to be
feared. increased danger to the non-com-
batants in Mexico as we'll as to those &C
tually in the field of battle. The position
of outsiders is always particularly try
ing and full of hazard where there is civil
strife and a whole country is upset We
should earnestly urge all Americans to
leave Mexico at once, and should assist
them to get away in every way possible
not because we would mean to slacken in
the least our efforts to safeguard their
lives and their interests. but because 1t is
imperative that thaF should take no un-
t. ~NIarr siC y1yy
sible for them to leave the country. we
should let every one who assumes to exer-
else authority In any part of Mexico
know in the most uneQuivOcal way that
we shall vigilantly watch the fortunes OF
those Americans who cannot get away
and shall hold those responsible for their
sufferings and losses to definite reckon
ing. That can be and will be made plain
beyond the possibility of misunderstood
ing.
To Shut Down on Arms.
For the rest, 1 deem it my duty to
exercise the authority conferred upon me
by the law Of March IA. 1912, to see to
it that neither side to the struggle now
going on in Mexico receive any assist
ance from this side the border. l shall
follow the best practice of nations in the
expectation of arms or munitions of war
of any kind from the United States to
any part of the republic of Mexico-a
policy suggested by several interesting
presidents and certainly dictated by
many manifest considerations OF prac-
teal evpediency. We. cannot in the cir
cumstances be the partisans OF either
party to the contest that now abstracts
Mexico OF constitute ourselves the vir-
tual umpire between them.
Inp "a q
great governments of the world have
given this government their generous
moral support in urging upon the pro-
visional authorities at the City OF
Mexico the acceptance OF our prOnered
good Offices in the spirit in which they
were made We have not acted in this
matter under he ordinary principles OF
international obligation. All the world
expects US in such circumstances to act
as Mexico's nearest friend and Intimate
adviser.
This is our immemorial relation toward
her. There is nowhere any serious ques-
ton that we have the moral right In the
case or that we are acting In the interest,"
of fair settlement and OF good govern
ment not for the promotion OF some sell
fish interest of our own. If further mo-
tive were necessary than our own sooo
will toward a sister republic and our
own deep concern to see peace ana orueI
prevail i'm Central America, this consent
of mankind to what we are attempting
this attitude of the great nations OF the
world toward what we may attempt III
dealing with this distressed people at oui
doors, should make us feel the more SOL
EMMY bound to go to the utmost length
Of patience and forbearance in this pain
full and anxious business. The steady
pressure of moral force will before many
days break the barriers OF pride ano
prejudice down. and we shall triumph as
Mexico's friends sooner than We could
tri,,mnh as her enemies-and how much
more handsomely, with how much higher
and finer satisfactions of conscience and
of honor.
Text Of Mexico's Rejection.
Following the foregoing text Of the
message. President Wilson presented the
following reply of Senior Gamboa, the
Mexican minister OF foreign affairs. t.
the proposals of the United States, az
advanced by Mr.. Lind:
MEXICO. August is, 1918.
Sir: On the 9th instant, pursuant to
telegra phic instructions from MS govern
ment, the charge dafaires ad interim
of the United States Of America verbally
informed Mr.. Manuel CARA Aioape. tnel
in charge of the department of foreign
affairs. of your expected arrival In thi:
republic with mission of peace. AS for
tunately neither then nor today mas there
existed state of war between the Unitec
states of America and the united Mexican
states. my government was very much
surprised to learn that your mission neal
us should be referred to as one of peace
| This brought forth the essential condition
/ which my government Ventured to de
| mand in its unnumbered note OF the 6tf
/ instant addressed to the aforesaid charg,
| d'affaires-"that IL you do not see fit to
nroperly establish your official character
| YOUR sojourn could not be pleasing to u!