Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-17
HURRIES TO REASSURE
THE STATE DEPARTMENT
Counselor Lansing Receives the Am
bassador's Statement in the Alb
sence of Secretary Bryan.
ARTICLE .CABLED TO LONDON
Accused Minister Expected to Deny
Categorically the Criticism Of
President Wilson-U. S. Saved
Him From Humiliation.

Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, the Brit
ish ambassador, called at the
State Department today and. form
ally expressed his regret for the
publication of an interview at
tributed to Sir Lionel Garden
British minister to Mexico, criti-
cising the United States for with
drawing troops from Vera Cruz.
The interview, the ambassador
explained, was contrary to diplo-
matte usage in general and the
regulations of the British govern
ment, and was therefore unauthor-
lied.
In the absence of Secretary Bryan the
ambassador made his explanation to
Counselor Lansing He explained that
inasmuch as the interview was printed
after Sir Lionel had sailed from New
York it was impossible to obtain a
denial from him without sending the
text of the interview by wireless. For
that reason it was likewise impossible
to make a categorical denial of the
statement attributed to the former min
lister to Mexico, Sir Cecil said
A dispatch. it was stated had been
sent to the British government contain
ing the text of the interview. This mes
sage will await Sir Lionel when he ar
rives in England. and until then the
matter will rest in allegiance.
q. s. Saves Garden Humiliation.
A reply from Sir Lionel, now en- route
to England. as to the accuracy of the
alleged interview with him criticising
President Wilson for ordering the evac-
uation of Vera Cruz, is awaited with in
terest in official and diplomatic circles
in connection with revelations as to how
the minister practically was forced to de-
part from Mexico City by Gen. Carranza.
constitutionalist chief. 1t was stated in
high official circles that but for diplo-
matte Intervention Of the United States
Sir Lionel might have been given his
passports by Carranza.
A Washington traveller, returning to-
day from Mexico City, where he has
been in consultation with government
officials. and who had recent confer
ence with Sir Lionel Garden, made the
statement that it was "delicately hint
ed by the Mexico City government te
the British diplomat that Mexico might
prefer another British ambassador to
transact Great Britain's future affairs
in the Mexican capital. and that there.
upon Sir Lionel Garden resolved tc
proceed at an early moment to the
capital of Brazil, to which he has re-
Gently been accredited.
Gardens Free Talk.
Because of previous interviews at.
tacking the Washington governments
policy toward Mexico, high officials are
inclined to credit that Sir Lionel ha6
expressed himself freely again and as
cribe it to the minister's resentmen,
toward Carranza. Responsibility fol
the tenacity with which Huerta resist
ed diplomatic pressure was largely at
tributed by Carranza to Sir Lionel Car.
den and he told friends that when the
constitutionalists reached Mexico City
the minister would be deported. After
reaching there Carranza notified the
Washington government of his inten-
ton to make good his threat.
Despite the fact that Carranza want.
ed to hand Sir Lionel his passports ant
Washington government interceded
through the Brazilian minister, and the
minister was allowed to leave withou,
embarrassment.
It was then suggested to Carranzs
by the Washington government. 1t wal
said. that whatever animosity he Nigh,
personally feel toward Sir Lionel would
be misunderstood and exaggerated AZ
an affront to Great Britain should he
be handed HIS passports. In conse
quence Of the incident, the minister al
once was ordered to his new post II
Rrazil