The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-02-14
BARRETT ASKS TAFT
NOT TO INTER VENE
Pan American Union Head Has
Plan to settle MeXi-
can Xffair.
FORCE THE LAST RESORT
Proposes international Commits
sion. So as Not to Of
fpnd MpXicanS.

WAsmlNGToS. Feb. l3-Here is a
letter which John Barrett, director OF
The PAN American Union. day sent to
Presiden, Taft and the chairman of the
Foreign Affairs Committee of the House
and Senate:
Il have the honor to submit most
respectfully suggestion, long and
carefully considered. which may pro-
vide an immediate solution of the
present critical phase Of the Mexican
problem.
While what is recommended is pro-
posed personally on my own RESPONSE
bilty without involving officially in any
way the Pan-American Union, 1t still
is inspired by the fact and thought that
am an officer OF Mexico and Of all the
other Latin American Governments as
well as OF the United States. and that
, | see this great question from the
standpoint of our sister republics and
their peoples as we'll as from the stand
point of the United States Government
and its people.
AS should be known. have stood
| from the first and still stand emphau-
cally and conscientously against inter-
vention in Mexico. because ! recognize
, from my intimate knowledge OF the
Mexican and Latin American Govern
| ments and peoples based on many years
OF experiences as United States Minister
| to Latin American countries. that rights
as an independent sovereign nation are
regarded by the MeXicans and all the
! other 60 900 00O of Latin Americans as
| being just as sacred and inviolate az
our own national rights and sovereignty
| and that the harm done 10 the prestige.
the good name. influence and commerce
| OF the United States throughout all
Latin America by unwarranted or hasty
| Intervention would incalculably and
irreparably outweigh any possible good
which might result ,rom such inter
vention.
Il would add. moreover. that the
| United States Government has won the
respect and ADMIRATION of all Latin
| America because I, has SO far stood
steadfa silly against Intervention despite
powerful influence 10 the contrary.
Realizing. however. that a condition
OF extraordinary seriousness has arisen
in which no matter how much as a
Latin American sympat thizer and de-
fender | may deplore its being done the
! United States may decide to take action
beyond anything that it has yet done
| | beg to outline plan which may be
worthy OF cons nsiderat!on and adoption.
1T involves mediation rather than
intervention, international American
cooperation rather than individual
United States action and practical
application of the Pan American rather
than of the Monroe Doctrine.
1t must be admitted that the cruX
of the situation is that. II the United
} States must, az last resort and only
as such, interfere, this interference
should he SO conducted that II will ap-
peal to the sense of justice. first OF
thoughtful MeXicans. second Of cool
headed citizens OF the United States, and
third. of hroadminded and representa-
tive men of the other nineteen Amer
!can republics. II must also have the
character of being susceptible OF i'm
mediate application and effectiveness
without prolonged delay which might he
fatal To its success
In brief, the suggestion IL tina,
through the initiative Of the United
States Government an intrrnationa
commission shall be Immediately named
consisting of one of the most availabl.
statesmen Of the United States, sucl
as Elihu Root Of William j. Bryan n
some eminent Latin American diplo
mat now in Washington, representing
a country sufficiently remote from tn,
United States and Mexico to have nj
prejudices and yet be kindly dispose,
toward both, and at the same tim,
arouse no jealousics among the othel
Latin American countries. like Senol
| Don Ipnncin ('QlNnrnn Mipistar of 10