“In my opinion, Henry Lane Wilson is directly responsible in the murders because of the response he gave to Huerta about the fate of Madero and for not making a strong plea to save the President and Vice President. In either case, his action or inaction would seem to constitute outrageous conduct by a diplomatic representative of this country. It is sufficient justification for removal and recall.”
The President nodded and shuffled some papers on his desk. Looking up, he finally said, “Thank you ,Mr. Cane, I appreciate your frankness but for the meantime I shall take no immediate action with regard to Ambassador Wilson, other than I have stated. Furthermore, Mr. Cane, in the light of our recent denial of any official investigation of Ambassador Wilson, I ask you not to prepare any written report, to the Secretary of State or to me, except on the matter of American claims. I think your oral presentation is sufficient. Is that not right, Mr. Bryan? “
“Yes, Mr. President.”
“Sir, honesty compels me to add that Ambassador Wilson could not have been more hospitable to Hand and I and, indeed, without his assistance and influence with Huerta, I am sure Hand would still be in that awful prison in Vera Cruz.”
“Yes, well, that was his duty. Thank you. But in another matter, Mr. Cane, I have to say that I am not a little disappointed in the fact your mission was so quickly disclosed by the press. I thought I had stressed the importance of secrecy in your mission.”
“Mr. President, Mr. Cane has explained the extenuating and puzzling circumstances to me that—”
The President held up his hand, “No, Mr. Bryan, I would like to hear what Mr. Cane has to say.”
“Sir, I make no excuses for my inexperience in this kind of thing. My efforts were those of an amateur. On the other hand, I would make a case that secrecy for this investigation—pardon me, inquiry—was compromised from the outset.”
“What are you insinuating, Mr. Cane?”
“Simply this. In Vera Cruz and later in Mexico City, I was contacted by a Dr. Bonillo, a Carranza agent, whose remarks indicated that he had strong suspicions about the purpose of our mission, and later in Mexico City with respect to the relevancy of Senator Gomez’s testimony to our real mission, Bonillio was instrumental on his own in putting us in contact with Gomez.”
“But, how could he know?”
“I have no idea. Then there was the German Ambassador, who contacted me, not the other way around. He sent his man to accost me and take me to the German Embassy. I just now related what he had to tell me, and it bore directly upon our
Ambassador’s actions with regard to the Madero murders. He knew exactly what we were after, even mentioned a wire sent by the German Embassy here in Washington urging him to cooperate with us.”
“Do you think there is a leak somewhere here?” Bryan asked Seth. “I am not suggesting anything, but I know your friendship with Miss Faver of the German language newspaper and who we are aware has a close relationship with the German Embassy.”
The President looked at Seth, questioningly. “Mr. Cane?”
Seth was taken back by Bryan’s remarks. “Yes, I know Miss Faver. I have never discussed my trip to Mexico other than the claims project.”
The President said, “Mr. Cane, the Secretary of State and I have no reason to doubt your word . Please continue.”
“Mr. Seyquirt told me that the Ambassador told his staff on the morning after our arrival in Mexico City that he didn’t believe our purported purpose of coming to Mexico. On my last day at the Embassy, the Ambassador said he knew what we were actually doing down there and that he had nothing more to add to his official report on the murders of Madero and his Vice President.”
“Do you think he was the one who released to the Mexican newspapers the report that he was being investigated by me and the Secretary of State?”
“I wouldn’t think, Mr. President” Bryan spoke up, “that Henry Lane Wilson would really want a public discussion of his possible actions in the Madero case.”
“Neither would I,” Seth said. “I rather think Admiral Hintze, the German Ambassador, would be the more likely candidate.”
“Why do you think that?” the President asked.
“I am told the Admiral is very jealous of our Ambassador’s close relationship with General Huerta, and would like nothing better than to see him recalled, in disgrace, if possible.”
“Yes, I can see that,” Bryan said. “That would increase the chances for concessions to the Germans, particularly in oil, with our American interests so handicapped.”
“I agree, the Germans are a real possibility. Very well, that is something to consider. But, now, what are we to do with you now, Mr. Cane?”
“Absolutely no problem, Mr. President. My job was only temporary for this mission. If, however, you find you need a scapegoat in this matter, you have my official resignation. I do ask one favor from both of you.”
“Yes?”
“Please leave Hand out of any scapegoat allegations. As leader of our mission, I would have made that decision. In addition , I ask that you do something for Hand . He didn’t deserve what happened to him. I was the target. His injury may possibly leave him disabled as far as any gainful employment. If a bonus or a pension could be arranged, it would be of help.”
The President waved his hand. “You need not tell us that Mr. Comfort is deserving of help. I came to know him as my bodyguard during the campaign. I respected his loyalty and energy in the performance of his duty. I think it will take an Act of Congress, don’t you, Mr. Bryan?”
“Indeed, we will give it a try.”
“Thank you, gentlemen,” Seth said.
“I haven’t said it,” the President added, “but we do thank you for your services in that difficult situation down in Mexico.”
At that moment Joe Tumulty, the President’s assistant, came into the room. “Sorry, Mr. President, but I think you might want to see this story in this morning’s New York Times”
The President took the paper and quickly read the indicated news story. He looked up with a peculiar expression. “Listen to this, gentlemen. It is time dated today from Mexico City.
“In a statement from Mexico City, Ambassador Wilson in commenting on Secretary Bryan’s statement of an investigation of himself, said, “I am greatly gratified at this complete and honorable vindication given me by the Secretary of State. The statement which Secretary Bryan has made to the press is not only just in every way to me, but an honor to him.”
The three men sat in silence, after the President’s reading. It wasn’t voiced by anyone, but in each of their thoughts was, do we now know who was behind the release of the investigation story?
Finally, Woodrow Wilson stood up. “Very well, let us go to our respective lunches, gentlemen.”
71
ON THE EAST STEPS OF the State Department, Bryan turned to Seth. “I apologize for bringing up your acquaintance with that Faver woman but it was better coming from me than the President.”
“The President knew of my friendship with Annaliese?”
“Being the Nation’s Capital doesn’t change the fact that this city is actually a small town, and you know there are seldom secrets in a small town.”
“No offense taken, Will. Actually, someone in Mexico City raised that same suspicion. But, as I told the President, I never even told her about my trip. If she found out the real reason, it didn’t come from me.”
“And we believe you and apologize for raising the subject but, Seth, there is something I should mention.”
“Yes sir?”
“It has to do with your brother Zack.”
Seth tensed. “I don’t really care what Zack is up to, but I reckon you are going to tell me anyway. What about Zack?”
“We get word that he is playing a dangerous game involving that Spanish hacienda he bou
ght down in Chihuahua. That is Villista controlled territory and Villa is in the process of taking over all those big ranches to use the lands and revenues to support his soldiers and their families. Zack Cane is resisting the organized cattle rustling by Villa’s troops, treating the soldiers just like he would treat cattle rustlers in the states. We are afraid the situation is going to get out of hand and Villa will do something drastic to your brother.”
“If I know Zack, he can take care of himself,” Seth said.
“Maybe, but this is bigger than anything he has ever handled in the past. I just thought you ought to know.”
“Thank you ,Will. Zack and I are pretty well estranged. I don’t think he would welcome any advice from me.” Seth held out his hand, “So long, Mr. Secretary. I will always appreciate your trust in me. I’ll send you my address, when I get settled.”
“I won’t need it, son.”
“Pardon?”
“You didn’t think I was going to accept that resignation, did you? Neither did the President. I have a couple of big jobs for you, and you are still working for me.”
Seth stared at him in astonishment. “Hold on now, I-”
“It is past my lunch and we won’t discuss the details now. Take two weeks and recover from Mexico. I’ll see you at the Department then.”
At that moment a Baker Electric pulled up to the curb and honked.
Bryan laughed. “Oh that, I had my secretary call the Brooklyn Tagblatt to have her come and pick you up.”
Seth looked startled. “Why did he call the Brooklyn Tagblatt?”
“That is where Miss Molly is working now,” Bryan explained. “I thought you might be eager to see your young ladies.”
Molly working at the Brooklyn Tagblatt? Seth turned and stared at the car. True, more than one young lady had stepped out of it and was waving and smiling at him. There was his daughter Ginny and Molly and—Annaliese.
Bryan noted the presence of his nemesis, Annaliese Faver. “Oh my” he muttered, “I didn’t expect that!”
Seth looked at Bryan with a wry smile. “Will, you might be Secretary of State, but as Cupid you need a few lessons.”
NOTES
AMBASSADOR WILSON WAS RECALLED TO Washington in June 1913 for “consultation.” He met with President Wilson in July and reportedly urged a U.S. invasion of Mexico. In August, he was compelled to resign as U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.
The character of Artimus Seyquirt, as First Secretary of the American Embassy is fictional, as are those of Dr. Mason Oliver and Dr. Bonillo.
It is of some interest to note that the actual First Secretary, a Mr. Schuyler, apparently told General Leonard Wood, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, that Henry Lane Wilson was responsible for Madero’s death. Reported in Katz’s The Secret War in Mexico, p.112 (citing Papers of Leonard Wood, Diary 1913, Library of Congress),
Victoriano Huerta resigned as President of Mexico in August of 1914 and fled Mexico with his family and General Blanquet and his family aboard, significantly, the German battle cruiser, Dresden. He came to the United States in 1915 and was discovered by the Secret Service to be involved with Boy-Ed in a complicated plot to invade Mexico from El Paso, Texas. He was arrested before it developed. Boy-Ed, the
Naval Attache at the German Embassy in Washington, was expelled from the country.
For historical background on the overthrow of Franscisco Madero and his and Pino Suarez’s murder, I recommend the following excellent sources:
Anita Brenner and George R. Leighton, The Wind that Swept Mexico, The History of the Mexican Revolution (University of Texas Press, Austin, 1943).
Michael J. Gonzales, The Mexican Revolution, 1910-1940 (University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, 2002).
Jonathan Kandell, Las Capital, the Biography of Mexico City (Random House, New York, 1988).
Friedrich Katz, The Secret War in Mexico, Europe, The United States and the Mexican Revolution ( University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London, 1981).
RICHARD FOLMAR
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