The Washington herald., 1913-02-16
Pan-American Union Director
Says Suggestion Was Made
to Avoid Intervention.
WAS NOT T-MEDDLING
Director Thinks Attitude Of American
Colony in Mexico Due to
Misunderstanding.

lcism directed against him by Ambasea-
dor Wilson and the American colony In
Mexico City. following his proposal that
the Mexican problem be solved by means
of Pan-American commission of medi-
alton. Mr.. Barretts statement was in
large part due to the publication by
the State Department of Ambassador
Wilson'S caustic dispatch on Mr. Bar
rett's proposals, which he characterized
as ''mischievous.''
Mr.. Barrett suggests that criticism of
his plan of mediation Is due both to a
failure TO understand exactly what he
proposed and also to an inaccurate re-
port of his plan. Mr.. Barrett declared
that he had been keenly surprised by the
attitude of the State Department. "espe-
cially In view of the fact" he said, that
1 honestly believed that may plan would
strengthen the position of the admins
ration against intervention" Director
Barrett declares that the reported action
OF the Americans in Mexico and the atti-
tude of the State Department ARE all
the more astonishing and remarkable be-
cause 1 was conscientiously suggesting
that which would prevent the real dan
eSrs OF Intervention pointed out so em-
phatically by President Taft himself
Il feel exactly as l would if a dear
friend whom | was trying to save turned
through some mistake or false impression
and accused me of treachery," said Mr..
Barrett in his statement of his side OF
the affair
Calls Complaint ''Remarkable."
Mr.. Barretrs statement is as follows:
In view of the remarkable character
"f the complaint against me of 4 Amer
lcan colony in Me=ico City. | trust tina.
all hose who are interested will read
carefully ana impartially this statement
The repo d acton of the American col
cry in Mexico indeed astonishes me. 1t
must be Prompted either by misconcep-
loh OF IN: purpose or an inaccurate re-
port of what | proposed. Corresponding
~ am keenly surprised at the attitude
apparently expressed in the statement of
The state Department, especially in view
OF the fact that | honestly believed that
my plan would strengthen the position
:" the administration against interven-
ton.
This reported action of the Americans
IN Mexico and the attitude of the State
department are. all the more astonish-
ing nd remarkable because / was con-
sclenuously suggesting that which would
prevent the -'eal dangers of intervention
Pointed out SO emphatically by President
Taft himself. I fail TO see .k~w nybody
could possibly read my complete state
ment and admit that I was deserving of
any such criticism. / feel exactly as 1 |
would II A dear friend whom / was try |
ing to save turned through some mistake |
Ct false impression and accused me Of |
treachery.
The one central thought in my plan |
was a practical alternative for forci6le |
intervention which would Immediately |
end hostilitics. at once protect the lives
Of Americans and other foreigners and
bring actual peace with credit and salts !
fiction TO the peoples of both the United
States and Mexico.
TO brand as amateur politics the suE-
cestion of mediation. great and accept
Cd broad and practical agency of inter-
rational friendship and to describe as
mischievous activity and sentimentality
the application of International co-opera-
tion to stop Immediately actual fighting
and protect lives. seems to me to be the
II suit of Gratuitous misunderstanding of
what ] actually had in mind
Acted on Wise Advice.
One would think from this report from
Mexico that I had been officially med
ding and interfering in the Mexican sit |
uation: all / have done is to address a
respectful letter to the President and the
chairman of the Senate and House COM
mittees. which I made public. on wise
and conservative advice. purely in the
nope that good, rather than harm would |
result
What l really and greatly fear and de- |
plore is that some person or persons
either in the United States or in Mexico. |
or i'll both places working together, |
anxious to bring about forcibfe interven- |
tiOn and permanent occupation of Mex |
leo by United States troops, and con- |
sequently angry with me for presenting |
A perfectly feasible plan for immediate /
of hostilities by international !
have seized upon me and my i
simple informal. and personal sugges- |;
ton as instruments to force intervention |
and to have worked up sentiment in the |
American colony TO this end.
Against such perversity and misfortune |
l have no protection. but ! cannot be |
blamed if they have done harm to Ameri- |
cans in Mexico. My record and my good |,
far as the relations of the |
United States with Mexico and other |
! ID tin American countries covering a |
period OF twelve years, which all those |
interested throughout the United States |
appreciate ana which Americans in Mex
leo ought to appreciate, should certainly 4
absolve me from further blame in this |
matter.
And now, in view of the severity of the |
complaint of the American colony in
Mexico and of the attitude of the State
which has, of course, been
telegraphed all over the country, l am
forced in self-defense to make public a
fact that I would infinitely prefer not to !
and never to mention, were |
not the subject of such criticism.
Tells of Anonymous Letter.
Late last night, and before had been
informed of the report from Mexico City,
received an anonymous letter, which
Immediately destroyed, believing 1t 10
De joke. This letter. which l would |
nave preserved had I the slightest expec-
alton of this news from Mexico as best
can quote and recall it, was as fol-
ows:
"As a friend of yourself and your
southern republics, ! want to warn you.
You are in danger of attack from two
opposite forces on account of the state
nent you have given out in regard to
he settlement of the Mexican situation.
Dne OF these is a certain influence that
wants Intervention and military occupa-
ion, and Is bitter against the President
md the State Department for their hold
ng out against Intervention. Having so
ar failed in that direction il is now
ncensed at your suggestion and may
urn on you. both here and in Mexico. |
rhe other influence is man in a great
department.. who cordially dislikes You
Ind every thing South American He is
plainly Jealous of your work for PAN
American good feeling and trade and of
he growth of the Pan-American Union
.ook out for him, as he may endeavor
o do you and your cause HARM
I cannot believe that this anonymous
statement is worthy of actual credence
have the most profound respect and