Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-09-09
Should Huertd Be Recognized? i

As for the recognition or non.recognit1on Of an
acting president, the question is purely one OF our
own judgment and discretion, says the Review OF
Reviews for September, under the caption of 'The
Progress OF the World" 1t was nearly two years
after General Diaz had seized the reins of government
in Mexico, in 1876, before the United States govern
ment recognized him as president. Great pressure
has been brought to bear to cause President Wilson
to recognize the Huerta regime in a full and formal
way. Through our embassy we have transacted busl'
ness continuously with Huerta's administration as a
de facto govern nent, and we have wisely refrafned
from going any further. The active championship
of Huerta by our ambassador, Henry Lane Wilson,
has been 50 entirely out OF Keeping with the course
deemed wise by the administration that his conduct
last month was sharply rebnked and bluntly repudl-
ated in an explanation made by President Wilson,
through diplomatic channels, to the British govern
ment. The ambassador, meanwhile, had returned TO
this country, had clashed with the administration, and
had been informed of the acceptance Of his resigna-
ton, to take effect at the end of his vacation, IN
October. The embassy at Mexico City had been left
in charge of a very competent and conscientious
secretary, Nelso O'Shaughnessy by name.
Secretary Bryan, with President Wilson'S concnr'
renee, had desired to bring about, through mediation,
an agreement among the 1actional leaders OF Mexico
to stop at once their devastating civil warfare and
agree upon a provisional government pending the
holding. of a proper election. When Huerta had over
thrown Madero, ne had promised to hold an election
promptly, and had apparently agreed pot to be himself
a candidate, 1t was obviously, improper that either
he or Felix Diaz should appear as candidates in an
election for a new president. Advices have convinced
President Wilson that the Huerta regime Is not IN
control of the lager part Of the territory of Mexico,
and that it has none of that promise of stability which
would justify full recognition. A step that was
treated with exaggerated sensation by the newspapers
soon followed the recall of Ambassador Henry Lane
Wilson to this country This step was the sending
of the Hon. John Lindrof Minnesota as especially
representing the president, to act as legal and general
adviser of our embassy 1t was declared at first that
Huerta would not receive LAud, and that obstacles
would be put in the way Of his visit. 1t soon appeared,
however, that Lind had no direct mission to Huerta,
and that President Wilson was acting within the
technical proprieties in sending Mr.. Lind as adviser
to our charge daffaires, Mr.. OShaughnassy. The con-
stantly repeated newspaper statement that European
governments had somewhat critically questioned our
state department regarding our Mexican policy were
declared on the highest authority to be WITHOUT any
foundation whatsoever. On the contrary, the best
European opinion seems to have commended Pres-
dent Wilson's patience. and discretion. 1t Is natural
enough that all European governments should visa
to see the immense foreign investments OF their SUD-
5s5jects in Mexico duly protected. But since lnterVen'
ton from any outside source would be stoutly resisted
by the Mexicans, it is reasonable to believe tnat
azforeien investments would be further injured rather
than helped by armed invasion from this country or
from any other. ''"@