Messersmith, G.S., Mexico City. To Alfred W. Johnson, Washington., 1942 December 27

Acknowledges Johnson's letter of Dec. 12 and thanks him for information on present membership of Joint Mexican-U.S. Defense Commission; defends Mexico against Johnson's accusation of being uncooperative; Mexican Government friendly to U.S. and would probably accede to any reasonable request of U.S., but must consider temper of Mexican population; reminds Johnson Mexico the only American country U.S. has taken territory from and has been at war with; nor can one dismiss the discrimination against Mexican Americans in southwestern U.S.; Mexico for years torn by internal disorders, but today she is united and orderly with stable government; Mexican leaders fear that U.S. armed forces in Mexico might precipitate a political crisis; Johnson has implied Mexico primarily interested in obtaining military and industrial equipment from U.S. to build up her own armed forces and national economy which is what every other American republic wishes to do; sees nothing inherently wrong in that; Mexico's contribution to war effort in supplying strategic materials most important being made by any American republic.