On Wednesday Mr. Wilson informed Congress of what had happened,
in a message which he read personally. In the course of it he said :—
"Although the door is not closed to the resumption of friendly counsels either on the initiative of Mexico or ourselves, while we wait the contest of the rival forces will undoubtedly become sharper than ever, because it is plain an end must be made to the existing situation. With the increased activity of the contending factions will come increased danger to non-combatants. We should earnestly urge all Americans to leave Mexico immediately ; we should assist them to depart in every way possible, not because we mean to slacken in the least our efforts to safeguard their lives and interests, but because it is imperative not to take unnecessary risks where it is possible to leave the country."
He announced that he had forbidden the exportation of arms
to Mexico, and he conclu with these words, "The steady
pressure of moral force will soon break down the barriers of pride and prejudice. We will triumph as Mexico's friends sooner than as Mexico's enemies, and how much more hand- somely and with how much higher satisfactions of conscience and honour !" The appeal to Americans to leave their business and property in Mexico is very curious. We must note, however, that the message was remarkably well received by Congress.
