The American Red Cross Magazine (Vol. 8, No. 2, April 1913) - American National Red Cross

MEXICO CITY. LOOKING NORTH FROM CATHEDRAL TOWER.

MARKET SQUARE, MEXICO “THE SOLDIERS ARE COMING.”

While the facts are not known, it is possible that the failure of the Madero troops, in the recent fighting in the City of Mexico, to respect the Red Cross flag in some measure resulted from the reported partiality of the Red Cross for the Diaz government when Madero was the leader of the insurgents. On the other hand, General Diaz, in the recent Mexican fighting, may have been the more ready to deal harshly with the representatives of the White Cross because of the fact that the White Cross had been reported to be particularly friendly to the cause of Madero when Madero was fighting President Diaz, uncle to General Diaz, leader of the uprising which overthrew Madero.

But whatever may have been the causes which led to a division of the humane people of Mexico into the camps of the Red Cross and the White Cross, it is not to be forgotten that their objects were humanitarian and at bottom identical. With the coming of peace and the restoration of normal conditions of life in the Republic of Mexico, there is every reason to hope that rivalries may be forgotten and that there may come a splendid union of all the humanitarian forces of the country under the emblem of the Red Cross.

In the closing days of the Madero government, while fierce and ruthless war raged in the streets of the City of Mexico, lives and property of American residents were in extreme peril. United States Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson gave every possible assistance and protection, but at best many were without resources and were unable to escape from the city or country unaided. The American Red Cross, on receiving information of these conditions through the Department of State, forwarded $1,000 to Ambassador Wilson to be expended at his discretion for the benefit of Americans in need. Many Americans who succeeded in reaching the city of Vera Cruz were unable to pay for steamship passage to the United States, and for their assistance the Red Cross also sent $500 to William W. Canada, American Consul General of that city, to be used as required for their help.