election; and

(_d_) The agreement of all parties to abide by the results of the
election and cooeperate in the most loyal way in organizing and
supporting the new administration.

The Government of the United States will be glad to play any part
in this settlement or in its carrying out which it can play
honorably and consistently with international right. It 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 authority of Mexico in declining the offices
of friendship thus offered. Can Mexico give the civilized world a
satisfactory reason for rejecting our good offices? If Mexico can
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 difficult mission with singular tact,
firmness, and good judgment, and made clear to the authorities at the
City of Mexico not only the purpose of his visit but also the spirit in
which it had been undertaken. But the proposals he submitted were
rejected, in a note the full text of which I take the liberty of laying
before you.

I am led to believe that they were rejected partly because the
authorities at Mexico City had been grossly misinformed and misled 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 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
misunderstanding 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 situation must be given a little more time to work itself
out in the new circumstances; and I believe that only a little while
wil