The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-28

of Mexico and that development can
be sound and lasting only Il 1t be the
product of a genuine freedom, just
and ordered government founded
upon law Only so can 1t be peace
full or fruitful Of the benefits OF
peace.
Mexico has a great and enviable
future before her, II only she choose
and attain the paths of honest ~con-
stitutional government The present
circumstances Of the republic, I deep
~ regret to say. do not seem 10
promise even the foundations OF such
peace. We have waited many
months. months fun of peril and anx-
iety, for the conditions there to Inn
prove and they have not improved.
They have grown worse, rather.
THE territory in some sort con-
trolied by the provisional authorities
at Mexico has grown smaller, NOT
larger
The prospect of the pacification
of the country. even by arms. mas
seemed to grow more and more re-
mote; and It's pacihcatlon by the
authorities at the capitol is evldentiy
impossible by any other means than
force. Difficulties more and more
entangle those who claim to constr
tutc the legitimate government OF the
republic. They have not made good
their claim In fact Their successes
in the field have proved only tenn
porary
Iind's Instructions.
WAR and disorder, devastation ana
confusion, seem to threaten to become
the settled fortune of the distracted
country. AS friends we could wait
no longer for solution which every
fur "a 1t was our
duty at least to volunteer our good
offices---to offer to assist IL we might,
in eeffcting some arrangement wnlcn
would bring relief and peace ana set
up a universally acknowledged poiitl-
cal authority there.
accordingly, / took the liberty or
sending the Hon. John Lind, formerly
governor of Minnesota, as my per-
sonal spokesman and representative
TO the city Of Mexico. with the fol-
I lowing Instructions
Press very earnestly upon the at
! tention of those who are now exer-
cising authority or welding influence
/ in Mexico the following consideration
and advice:
The government of the United
States does not feel at liberty any
longer to stand inactively by while
/ II becomes daily more and more evil
/ dent that no real progress is being
made towards the esta biishment OF a
I government at the City of Mexico,
which the country will obey and re-
spect.
The government OF the United
/ States does not stand In the same
I case with tie other great governments
of the world in respect Of what IL
happening or what Is likely to happen
| in Mexico. We offer our good ofices,
not only because OF our genuine de-
sire to play the part OF friend but
also because we are expected by the
/ powers Of the world to act as Next
cos nearest friend.
/ Our High Object.
1--WE wish to act in these circum-
stances in the spirit of the most ear
nest and disinterested friendship. II
Is our purpose in whatever we do or
propose in-this perplexing and-d4s-
tressing situation not only TO pay the
most scrupulous regard to the sover-
eighty and independence OF Mexico
/ that we take as matter OF course TO
which we are bound by every obiiga-
ton of right and honest--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 per-
sonal or property claims in Mexico
which they may feel that they have
the right to press.
1--WE are seeking to counsel Mexico
for her own good and in the interest
of Mexico alone and not for any other
purpose whatever. The government
/ OF the United States would deem II
self -discredited IL 1t had any selfish
or Interior purpose In transactions