The Washington times., 1913-02-15
BARRETT, IN BAD,'''
SAYS He ACTED IN
COURTESY TO TAFT
His Suggestion as to Mediation
in Mexican Affair Was Well
Meant, He Declares.

John Barrett. director of the Pan
American Union, who today issued a
statement barring an alleged plot against
his official life, admits that he did not
consult with the White House or the
State Department before writing his
letter to President Taft urging medi-
alton plan I'm Mexico.
This plan has put him in bad with the
Administration, but it is generally
known in State Department circles that
there has never been, in this Admins
tration, any good feeling toward the
union director. Comments were passed
today at the White House and State
Department, showing that Mr.. Barrett
had not consulted them before making
his suggestion for mediation, which Is
mental TO the Mexican situation, and as
amateur politics" and sentimental
ity."
Mr.. Barrett explains that prominent
men urged his course and that he sent
the letter direct Mr.. Taft o.. of oour-
tesy. Gossip is reawakened concerning
Mr.. Barrets relation with the diplomats
of aLtfn America.
Il feel exactly as 1 would if a dear
friend whom l was trying to save
turned. through some mistake or false
impression, and accused me of treach-
cry. declared Mr.. Barrett today.
Warnings of plot against him by
two forces-one great man in a great
department who cordially dislikes Bar
rett and everything South American
were contained in an anonymous letter
received late last night shortly before
the, State Departments attack was
made public
Jealousy Suspected.
While MIR. Barrett will make no COM
4 sc
sources that jealousy has existed for
some time between the State Depart
ment and the Pan American Union.
The State Department. 1t Is understood,
has been bitter against Mr.. Barrett be-
cause of varying claims over the sue
cesses due each department for the dol
lar diplomacy work.
Mr.. Barrett admitted that he does not
believe Secretary of State Knox is the
man against whom he is warned.
Influence, favoring Intervention in
Mexico, are believed by Mr. Barrett
TO be back of the attack on him. They
have been working in Mexico and in
this country, he declares.
that the message from Ambassador %
Wilson at Mexico City were ''inspir-
ed directly from Washington, but
Mr.. Barrett refused to make any COM
ment on this subject.
Not Popular With Cabinet.
1t is known that since the Taft
Administration came into power Mr..
Barrett has pot been invited to the
State Department conferences on sub
jects bearing on the LatiE-Ameri-
can states. and there has been
studious avoidance of Dir, Barrett and
the Union. stA rI2tts
The statement of the state Depart
ment given out shortly before Mr.
Barrett received his anonymous warn
/ ngof plot, Is as following:
Ambassador Wilson telegraphs to
inquire whether anything can be done
to restrain Mr.. John Barrett's mis-
chievous activity. He states that Mr..
Barrett's utterances are being pub
lished in Mexico City and are pro-
ducing a bad effect on the situation.
which calls for anything rather than
and amateur politics
The amba ssador adds that the Ameri-
can colony at Mexico City resents Mr.
Barrett's utterances and protests
against them"