The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-23

BRlfI' OUTLINE OF MESSAGE
FROM HUERTA NOT SUFET-
CIE\T TO ACT on.
Denial of UItimatum and Other state.
ments Lead to Failing of Optimism
i'm Washington.

anXlously awaited tonight the receipt
OF the Huerta governments complete
reply to the American communication
presented by John Lind, personal rep.
fesentative of President Wilson i'm
Mexico.
PRESIDENT Wilson and Secretary
Bfyan had received during the past
"a hours summary from Mr. Lind
giving briefly the Huerta governments
rejection of the American proposal:
about 1000 words of the text of the
Huerta reply, reported to be 1000
words long; message from Mr.. Lind
stating that he had been in confer
ence at an early hour today with Pro-
Vlsional President Huerta, that the
interview had been cordial and was
brought about at the suggestion of
Huerta himself denial from Charge
O'Shaughnessy, authorized by Pro-
visional President Huerta, declaring
there was no truth in the report of
an ultimatum demanding recognition
by the United States.
This information, coming in dis
connected cipher message, which ad-
ministration officials themselves con-
fessed some difficulty in understand
ing, was given TO members of the sem
ate committee on foreign relations,
Republicans as we'll as Democrats, and
had the effect of staving off debate on
the Mexican question, following sem
sational reports Of a threatened sever
ance Of relations by the Huerta gov
ernment
Ofhcials, though somewhat skepti-
cal of the outcome of the present ne
gotiations, took the view that moth
ing could be done by the United
States, ut least until Mr.. Lind actually
concluded his parleys with Huerta and
MS cabinet, with whom the American
envoy has established pleasant unoffi-
cial relations.
One thing which confused the sit
uation today was the fact that only
the first part of the Huerta note re-
Jecting the American proposal had
been received. This was couched in
cordial terms, setting forth the rea-
sons why mediation or outside inter
ference is declared impossible of ac-
ceptance by the Huerta administra-
tion. 1t cited particularly that the
pride of the Mexican people could not
brook the settlement of an internal
controversy at foreign hands, but the
principal argument was not reached
in this instalment of the document.
In the meantime, news that subsc-
quntly Mr. Lind had resumed negO-
tiations with Huerta, inspired a feel
ing of hope that something tangible
might result from the interchange of
views.
There was an undercurrent OF
/ skepticism among some of the Off
/ cials, however, who were inclined to
credit Senior Urrutia, Mexican minis
| ter of interior, with the responsibility
FOR the reports published today that
recognition had been demanded of the
United States with a threat of sever
ing relations between the two cOun-
tries At the White House and state
department the denial authorized by
Provisional President Huerta was ac.
cepted
Reports Of friction in the Huerta
cabinet. however were current and
Urrutia's alleged declarations were
cited in official circles as possible evi-
dence of friction. 1t was pointed out
that Urrutia had issued the first state
ment declaring that Mr.. Lind would
not be received unless he brought
credentials recognizing the Huerta
government. This position later was
repudiated not only by Fredrico Gam
boa, minister Of foreign relations
but by Provisional President Hureta
as well, both of whom received Mr..
l1lnu ana nave since expressed them
selves in complimentary terms con-
corning his personality, though at the
outset Mr.. Lind informed them he did
not bring recognition Of the Huerta
government
Ii is believed here in some quarters
that Provisional President Huerta has
practically decided to resign in favor
of Scnor Gamboa with the intention
of being Il candidate in the coming
elections.
COnstitutiOnalist representatives
here do not think anything definite
will result from the present negotia.
tions and are pleading for removal
of the American embargo on arms.
Given permission to buy munitions of
war, they promise an early termina-
tion of hostilities.