ALS signed “Roosevelt,” two pages, 8 x 10, no date but April 21, 1914. Draft of a letter to Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels. In full: “Am in touch with all preparations on Pacific coast. Everything is in first class shape condition and only need is additional officers and men. Ships not Vessels in reserve should be placed in full commission and twenty five hundred additional men should be recruited for this purpose as a reserve force. In addition to this there should be 600 or 700 more marines to bring total to 2000 for active service. This necessary because of length of West Mexican Coast. I would be grateful I should be I should be glad to see Colonel Waller ordered to Mexico. He is anxious to go. Magdalena Bay can should be taken and used as calling port for ships going North and South. A few marines with station ship and coal can hold it without opposition. Will leave for Washington Thursday morning unless you want me to go to San Diego to conduct general work on Pacific Coast. Please wire answer at once.” A pencil notation in another hand to the reverse of the second page reads: “Bremerton, April, 1914—On verge of war with Mex. I sent this in ‘cipher.’” In fine condition, with intersecting folds.
Following a series of diplomatic incidents that strained American relations with Mexico, President Wilson learned of an illicit arms shipment from Germany due at the port of Veracruz on April 21, 1914. In response to this violation of an arms embargo, Wilson ordered the blockade and seizure of the port. At this time Roosevelt was serving as assistant secretary of the Navy, and received news of the action while inspecting the US shipyard at Bremerton in Washington state; he sent this message via telegram from the shipyard. FDR was prepared to elevate the crisis into war, and it did indeed leave the United States and Mexico on the brink in the following years. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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