Mexico's dilemma/Chapter 1
MEXICO'S DILEMMA
CHAPTER I
A bird's-eye view
PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S words on Mexico, sent in the form of instructions to the United States Minister in Mexico City, true as they must have been more than fifty years ago, are just as true to-day. "For a few years past the condition of Mexico has been so unsettled as to raise the question on both sides of the Atlantic whether the time has not come when some foreign power ought, in the general interest of society, to intervene, to establish a protectorate or some other form of government in that country and guarantee its continuance there," wrote the President. He continued:
"You will not fail to assure the Government of Mexico that the President neither has, nor can ever have, any sympathy with such designs, in whatever quarter they may arise or whatever character they may take on …
"The President never for a moment doubts that the republican system is to pass safely through all ordeals and prove a permanent success in our own country, and so to be recommended to adoption by all other nations.
"But he thinks, also, that the system everywhere has to make its way painfully through difficulties and embarrassments which result from the action of antagonistical elements which are a legacy of former times and very different institutions.
"The President is hopeful of the ultimate triumph of this system over all obstacles, as well in regard to Mexico as in regard to every other American State; but he feels that those States are nevertheless justly entitled to a greater forbearance and more generous sympathies from the Government and people of the United States than they are likely to receive in any other quarter. . . .
"The President trusts that your mission, manifesting these sentiments, will reassure the Government of Mexico of his best disposition to favour their commerce and their internal improvements.
"I find the archives here full of complaints against the Mexican Government for violation of contracts and spoliation and cruelties practiced against American citizens. It is not the President's intention to send forward such claims at the present moment. He willingly defers the performance of a duty, which at any time would seem ungracious, until the incoming administration in Mexico shall have had time, if possible, to cement its authority."
How many Americans there are to-day who feel as apprehensive as did President Lincoln! How many Americans ask to-day whether the United States may not have to intervene in Mexico, after all, to help establish peace and order!
In his International Law Digest, Professor John Bassett Moore, former Counsellor of the State Department in Washington, writes:
"On November 28, 1876, General Porfirio Diaz issued a proclamation announcing himself provisional president of the Republic of Mexico, under the Plan of Tuxtepec. On January 19, 1877, intelligence having been received at Washington of the defeat of the forces of the rival claimants Secretary of State Fish suggested that if this should be confirmed by similar tidings received at the City of Mexico, General Diaz 'would have no important adversary in arms and might be regarded as the actual ruler of the country.' The question of recognising his government was under the circumstances left to the discretion of the American Minister. In view, however, of the unsettled state of affairs in Mexico, and especially of the existence of controversies between the two countries growing out of troubles on the Rio Grande frontier, it was afterwards determined that the Government of the United States, although it was 'accustomed to accept and recognise the results of a popular choice in Mexico,' would in this particular instance 'wait before recognising President Diaz as President of Mexico until it shall be assured that his election is approved by the Mexican people, and that his administration is possessed of stability to endure and of disposition to comply with the rules of international comity and the obligations of treaties.' The Diaz Government was officially recognised by Germany May 30, 1877, by Salvador and Guatemala June 7, by Spain June 16 and soon afterwards similar action was taken by Italy. These were all the powers then represented in Mexico, except the United States. In his annual message of December 3, 1877, President Hayes stated that it had been 'the custom of the United States when such (revolutionary) changes of government have heretofore occurred in Mexico, to recognise and enter into official relations with the de facto government as soon as it shall appear to have the approval of the Mexican people and should manifest a disposition to adhere to the obligations of treaties and international friendship,' but that 'in the present case such official recognition had been deferred by the occurrences on the Rio Grande border.'
"Official recognition was given in May, 1878, when a formal reception was tendered to a new minister from Mexico and the President formally replied to the letter of General Diaz announcing the recall of the provisional representative."
The events which followed the recognition of President Diaz are familiar enough. The story of events from 1910, from the overthrow of Diaz to the recognition of the de facto government of President Carranza, has been told in many versions. The past I shall leave to the reader's judgment. My concern is with the present.