New-York tribune., 1912-04-03
De la BARRA, IN CUBA,
ANXIOUS TO AID MEXICO
.Ex-ProvisionaI President, on His
WAY Home, Emphasizes His
Loyalty to Mader0.
SAYS He HAS NO AMBITION
Also That He Cannot Afford to
Become Immersed in Politics
Recognizes Good Faith
Of United States.
rBv cable to The Tribune !

Havana. April 1.-FrancisCo dc ia
Barra. ex-rrovisional President of the
Mexican Renublc. me; by a New York
Tribune correspondent to-day upon his
arrival here on his return Journey 10
Mexico made plain his position with re-
spcct 10 participation in the public af-
fairs of his country and his attitude
toward the Madcro administration
He spoke unrcservedly. and, with an
emphasis which admitted cf no doubt Of
his sincerity. he deprecated the tendeno.'
on the part Of certain elements in Mex
lean politics TO place wrong constructions
upon his advert to Mexico AZ the present
time. Moreover he left no question ia
The minds Of his hearers that whatever
influence his friends or his own personal
convictions as 10 his civic duty may ey
ercise 10 induce him to play part IN
national affairs N the next few monthc,
his action will he exerted on the side o.
peace, order and the maintenance of the
law and constitutional government
Ry wireless messages and through let
ters and Cabled dispatches from Mexico
awaiting him here he was thoroughly
familiar with current Developments in
his country. II sec no reason" he said,
TO apprehend the downfall OF the
Madero government as result Of this
rebellion so far as il has developed.
Being familiar with the inaccurate ma
ture Of many reports proceeding from
Mexico and published in the foreign
press. am more inclined to depend
upon my private adviccs than upon news
dspa tChes.
Better Sooner than Later.
1T was almost inevitable that GER
tain amount Of resistance to authority
would have to be combated by the new
administration. and it was better THAI
| the issue should come sooner than later.
for the more promptly ii came the less
chance there would he OF it causing any
prolonged injury to the country. Whet
is going on now must be regarded as the
| logical outcome Of the movement which
brought about a change of government -
year ago.
"Manifestly the complaints Of the re-
bellious party against the administration
are i'll founded. The only excuse for re-
belion would be a fragrant unsupport-
able disregard Of the law by the Execn
tive. Every one knows that President
Madero is insistent upon law observance,
sometimes to point where his attitude
in this respect is cited by his opponents
as evidence OF weakness.
circumstances have so shaped them
selves that / have been compelled pub
licly 10 define my attitude with regard t.
political matters in Mexico. There seems
desire on the part of some persons 10
place me in a false position. This. how
ever. cannot be done. for my actions and
policies always have been open AMI
aboveboard and so devoid of ambiguity
that there is no possibility of mistaking
them except with intent.
Returns as Private Citizen.
Il am going back to Mexico as pri
vate citizen, and-1 can say il with all
candor-without a vestige OF political
ambition and without the remotest de-
sire or intention to embarrass President
Madero or his administration In an;
way. believe the President under
stands this and that he is no party 10
any OF the essays which have proceeded
from some OF his partisans TO make IL
appear that my presence in Mexico IS
likely to stir up political strife ana pos
sibly weaken the government
Il have never subscribed to the theory
4 ., All, ift-n ny
men are capable OF governing Mexico as
Mexico should be governed and that
circumstances are likely 10 arise whereby
il will be necessary for me again to as
sumo the provisional Presidency. ] have
done my share, and II is now incumbent
upon me as a good citizen TO do what I
can 10 assist. as every Mexican should.
the men who have been legally elected
and who are governing according 10 the
law and the constitution.
Whatever | can do TO combine the |
solid elements Of the country To present |
front capable Of resisting effectively |
the lawless. irresponsible. self seeking |
men who are willing to see the country
prostrated if they can gain little per-
sonal profit shall do now az always.
No one who knows me can with any |
shadow Of reason subject me to the i'm
putatlon OF being politically ambitious.
FRANKLY. | cannot afford 10 become |
Immersed in politics. But as a good citi- |
zen and q lover Of my country | cannot
bring myself to hold sloof when the or
portunity offers to utilize my talents
and what following may have To serve
Mexico I'm whatever manner can. am
going back as the head of no party or
political faction. Neither will aiioW
myself to he forced into any position |
where my activities will he harmful to |
the peace of Mexico or TO the interests OF
the substantial. thinking, honestly patri- |
otic citizens. upon whom inevitably musi |
he forced the responsibility of the good |
conduct Of Mexico as an independent po-
litical entity"
Mr.. de Ia Barra added that there was
not the slightest doubt among sane
thinking Mexicans or foreigners ar TO the |
good faith animating the Washington |
government i'm disclaiming any intention |
to intervene in Mexican anairs. de
cited the recent action OF the Uhileu
States in prohibiting the oxportahon %
arms and in rigidly patrolling the border |
as evidences OF the deep desire on ils |
part to see order restored.
The ruerst Bismarck. on which MI de |
Ia Rarra arrived, will resume to-night |
her voyage to Vera Cruz.