The sun., 1915-10-24

his first mistake in not taking up the
Mexican problem where Mr.. Taft left on
March I. 1913, and continuing the dis
cussion Of the contemplated recognition
OF Huerta.
II has been made known here re-
Gently that Mr. Bryan had a great deal
to- do with convincing the President that
recognition should he withheld from
Huerta because of his personal charac-
ter and the manner In which he acceded
to the Presidential authority. II is now
stated consequently Mr.. Wilson was
waiting for Huerta to he eliminated in
the months between March and July.
1918. when he did nothing at all about
Mexico.
In late June number OF European
Governments through a joint letter writ
ten by their diplomatic representatives
at Mexico city brought the matter of the
Mexican situation to the attention of
the United States Most Of these Gov
ernments had recognized Huerta and
felt that the attitude OF President Will
son I'm Withholding recognition was CIV
ing encouragement to the revolution and
disorder
Naked to Walt On 4. =.
Mr. Wilson then began the formulation
I Of his first step in Mexico. asking the
European Governments meantime not TO
take any action In regard to Mexico un-
I'll the United States had opportunity to
put "A policy into effect. They assented
, Of course. and that is why all have
waited on the United States.
Mr. Bryan and the President there
upon selected John Lind to GO to Mexico
as the Presidents personal representa-
tive. having in the meantime summoned
home Henry Lane Wilson, holdover
Ambassador. and according to the Am
bassadors friends. dismissed him with
out hearing on the Mexican situation.
Mr. Lind was instructed to present to
Huerta proposals calling practically FOR
Huerta's elimination and his promise
not to he a candidate for election 10 the
Presidency, for the immediate cessation
of fighting. for an armistice. for the
calling Of elections and for all factions
to agree 10 abide by the result OF the
elections.
In the course NJ the ensuing corre-
spondence the whole world found much
canse for amusement at the expense OF
the United States. Mr.. Lind even went
so far as to intimate that II Huerta
would accept these proposals the United
states would undertake to finance "A new
/ Government in Mexico. which suggestion
was repudiated by the Mexicans.
Mr.. Lind thereupon retired to Vera
! Cruz where ne spent six months in gar
rulous isolation. became an ardent de-
yotee of the Constitutionaiists and an
active opponent OF Huerta. Mrs. Lind
had preceded him to Vera Cruz by
reason ~ the growing unpleasant con-
/ ditions in Mexico city.
Many "AR~nts" Sent.
For months there were no develop
ments in the Mexican situation Of first
importance \ number Of agents" Of
/ the President went to Mexico and re-
turned bringing various reports. Wash
ington became centre OF information
as to the total unftness and immoral
character OF Huerta.
The evaporation OF Washington AT
Huerta reached its climax in the fall
OF 1913 when Huerta accused members
Of Congress OF plotting treachery, pu,
them In prison. dissolved the Legislature
and assumed it's functions to himself
/ The United States thereupon served
notice that It would not recognize as
valid the elections Huerta had called
for November, 1918. accusing him o'
having ruthlessly usurped the powers OF
Congress. The election returns showed
Huerta elected. hut the Wilson Admins
tration disregarded them entirely.
In February, 1913 the unofficial sup
port which had been given 10 the Con
stitutionalst faction headed by Carranza
became open and avowed by the actor
OF President Wilson in raising th'
embargo on expectation of arm
INTO Mexico. II was alleged tina
this was merely to equalize tn
situation, as Huerta was able to i'm
port from Europe through his variou,
seaports. while the rebels. having no sea
ports were dependent on the United
States, but It was generally understood
that tn" desire was to aid the Constitu
tionalists They then began their rapit
succession OF military victories owe
Huerta
In April. 1914. paymaster and blue
Jackets of the gunboat Dolphin were ar
rested on the dock at Tampico, taken I,
the police station and there released
Rear Admiral Mayo commanding a
Tampico, demanded an apology and a "a
lutte Of twenty-one guns. The Tampic
authorities referred the matter I
Huerta and Washington took up III
question with Huerta directly
Huerta tried to impose the conditio
that his salute be returned. pointing ou
that an apology had already been mad
for the error OF the Tampico official.
Whereupon on April 81 Rear Admra
Fletcher occupied the custom house n
Vera Cruz. and the next day with tn
arrival OF practically the entire Atlanti
feet took the city.
The army was ordered to relieve tn
navy In possession of Vera Cruz, Charg
d'Affaires O'Shauyhnessy was given hi
I passports from Mexico city. war upo
. | the United States was threatened In IN
| north OF Mexico and an advance [
, Mexico city was expected, whom tn
Governments Of Argentina. Brazil an