Part 11 (2/2)

MY DEAR GOVERNOR:

I have been thinking over e discussed thiswith reference to the Mexican situation I a on i that is involved I am convinced that we should pursue to the end the declared purpose announced by you last Friday and endorsed by Congress and the people of the United States of ”getting Villa” If the _de facto_ govern to resist the entrance of our troops, a new situation will be presented I feel that you ought to advise Congress at the earliest possible moment of what the situation really is in order to secure its support and cooperation in whatever action is needed to accomplish the purpose you have in mind To retrace our steps noould be not only disastrous to our party and hu to the country, but would be destructive of our influence in international affairs and make it forever impossible to deal in any effective ith Mexican affairs

Your appeal to Congress ought to deal with thisfor the requisite pohich youfashi+on

My apology for writing you isthat affects you and your future and, I hope, the country's welfare I would not be your friend if I did not tell you frankly how I feel

Faithfully, TUMULTY

THE PRESIDENT, The White House

THE WHITE HOUSE, WAshi+NGTON

June 24, 1916

DEAR GOVERNOR:

The Mexican authorities admit that they have taken American soldiers and incarcerated them The people feel that a demand should be made for their immediate release, and that it should not take the for insistence upon our part will bring the gentlemen in Mexico City to their senses

If I were President at this e to Carranza would be the following:

”Release those American soldiers or take the consequences”

This would ring around the world

Faithfully, TUMULTY

THE PRESIDENT, The White House

After reading these letters, the President sent for me one day to visit with him in his study, and to discuss ”the present situation in Mexico”

As I sat down, he turned to me in the most serious way and said: ”Tuht I kno deeply you feel about this Colurettable from every standpoint, but in the last analysis I, and not the Cabinet or you, must bear the responsibility for every action that is to be taken I have to sleep with my conscience in these matters and I shall be held responsible for every drop of blood that may be spent in the enterprise of intervention I a every phase of this difficult matter, and I can say frankly to you, and you may inform the Cabinet officers who discuss it with you, that '_there won't be any ith Mexico if I can prevent it_,' no entlemen on the hill yell for it and de for a president to declare war, especially against a weak and defenceless nation like Mexico In a republic like ours, thethe matter from the standpoint of my own political fortunes, and its influence upon the result of the next election, I should at once grasp this opportunity and invade Mexico, for it would mean the triuhts for a singlethat daunts me and holds edies I came from the South and I knoar is, for I have seen its wreckage and terrible ruin It is easy for ht, and neither do the gentlemen on the Hill who now clamour for it It is some poor farmer's boy, or the son of some poor ay off in soreat fa I will not resort to war against Mexico until I have exhausted every means to keep out of this mess I know they will call me a coward and a quitter, but that will not disturb reat solvent, will, I am sure, vindicate this policy of hule in Mexico It is the age-long struggle of a people to come into their own, and while we look upon the incidents in the foreground, let us not forget the tragic reality in the background which towers above this whole sad picture The gentleht Mexico Poor Mexico, with its pitiful ain a foothold in their own land! They speak of the valour of America What is true valour? I would be just as much ashamed to be rash as I would to be a coward Valour is self-respecting Valour is circuht to strike Valour withholds itself froreat opportunity when the sill flash as if it carried the light of heaven upon its blade”

As the President spoke, his eyes flashed and his lips quivered with the deep emotion he felt It was the first tis toward Mexico Rising from his chair, he walked toward theof his study, the veryout of which Lincoln had looked upon the Poto the critical days of the Civil War when he was receiving bad news about the defeat of the Northern ar his talk, he said: ”Tumulty, some day the people of America will knohy I hesitated to intervene in Mexico I cannot tell thereat pohose poisonous propaganda is responsible for the present terrible condition of affairs in Mexico Ger strife and trouble between our countries Germany is anxious to have us at ith Mexico, so that our reat war across the sea She wishes an uninterrupted opportunity to carry on her submarine warfare and believes that ith Mexico will keep our hands off her and thus give her liberty of action to do as she pleases on the high seas It begins to look as if ith Germany is inevitable If it should coies and forces divided, for ill need every ounce of reserve we have to lick Gerer and await the development of the whole plot in Mexico”

Did not the publication of the faue was busy in Mexico?

Berlin, January 19, 1917

On the first of February we intend to begin submarine warfare unrestricted In spite of this it is our intention to keep neutral with the United States of America If this attempt is not successful, we propose an alliance with Mexico on the following basis: That we shall eneral financial support and it is understood that Mexico is to reconquer the lost territory in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona The details are left to you for settlement

You are instructed to inforreatest confidence as soon as it is certain that there will be an outbreak of ith the United States, and suggest that the President of Mexico, on his own initiative, should co adherence at once to this plan; at the same time offer to mediate between Germany and japan

Please call to the attention of the President of Mexico that the employland to make peace in a few months

ZIMMERMAN