The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-18
BRYAN To AID
OF AMBASSADOR
Says Government Is Not In.
vestigating Conduct Of
H. L. Wilson.
SILENCE AT LAST BROKEN
Statement Is Issued, Says Secretary,
Through Administrator Sense
of Justice.

After permitting attacks upon the Of
fetal conduct and integrity of Henry
Lane Wilson, Ambassador to Mexico, to
go unanswered for more than two
months. the administration last night an
nounced that II was not investigating Mr.
Wilson's official acts in Mexico City.
Other circumstances associated with the
situation. however. strongly indicate
that it was drawn forth by the demand
of the Ambassador himself that he be
set right before the American and Mexi-
can peoples unless the State Department
wished him. TO quit his duties without
further notice.
Mr.. Bryan's statement is as follows:
My attention has just been called to
a statement to the effect that the De-
partment of State is investigating the Of
fetal conduct OF Ambassador Henry Lane
Wilson who represents this country at
the Mexican capital. I understand that
these reports have been republished in
Mexico. 1 hasten to deny the same. They
are entirely without foundation. The
partment is not conducting and has not
conducted any such investigation. and in
denying the statements and all differences
which have been built upon them, / de-
sire to add that / cannot understand
why any American newspaper would give
circulation to such misStatements, know.
Ing, as the newspapers must, that they
would embarrass 4 representative of
the United States in the performance of
official duties while he Is dealing with a
difficult situation
Talks First with President.
The issuance of this announcement fol-
lowed two-hour and a half talk which
Mr.. Bryan had with President Wilson
late this afternoon. Mr.. Bryan refused
to say one word in explanation of the
matter. and indicated that he resented
questions put to him on the subject He
likewise declined to say where or when
the misstatements referred to had been
published, though so far as anyone else
in Washington has observed, the at
lacks on Henry Lane Wilson. which were
so bitter some weeks ago. have all died
down.
Mr.. Bryan said that the statement was
called forth by the sense OF Justice
Of the administration. Previously, how
ever, he has refused to reveal anything
when asked about the numerous accusa-
tons hurled at Ambassad Wilson, both
IN the American and Mexican press, and
In other ways. When Manuel Rojas, an
official of the Mexican Congress. sent
10 Washington a few weeks ago charges
that Ambassador Wilson was guilty OF
high crimes, the State Department was
absolutely silent. For several weeks
representatives of the revolution in Mex
leo carried on in Washington and else
where a campaign OF tpubIicity against
the American Ambassador. without any
word being forthcoming in affirmation or
denial from the State Department. IL
was then repeatedly published that the
department was investigating these
charges. though no denial of these state
menrS made he time
1t is known that matters OF the high
est Importance have arisen, which must
be taken up without delay with Mexico.
On the other hand. President Huerta
has announced to Ambassador Wilson
that since the United States govern
ment does not recognize his govern
ment, it can hardly desire to take UP
with that government matters beyond
the usual routine. Consequently, the
two governments are at an impasse so
far as such urgent questions as the
Chimaizal boundary award, the control
and division OF waters of the Colorado
River along the Mexican border. and ur-
gent American claims are concerned
There is growing opinion here that
expedienCy will force President Wilson
to grant recognition to the Huerta gov
eminent