Our Relations With Mexico.

New York Times 100 years ago today, May 29, 1913:
    The critical situation in Mexico is largely due to the Provisional Government's lack of funds. As they firmly believe that Gen. Huerta's difficulty in placing a foreign loan is due to the refusal of the United States Government to recognize their own present Government, which, they feel, is well supported, and the best they are likely to get, many Mexicans who have not hitherto been inimical to Americans now feel resentful. The feeling of Americans who are established in business in Mexico or have large investments there is that their financial future is imperiled by their Government's position. But there is no reason why President Wilson's Administration should take account of private business enterprises in dealing with a grave international situation. If the growing Mexican ill-feeling is to be considered a more serious matter, the reason is that our Government has no intention whatever to hurt the feelings of honest and law-abiding citizens of our sister republic; on the contrary, it is the desire of this Administration, as it has been of all its predecessors, to maintain the friendliest relations with its neighbors compatible with justice and fair dealing.
    The approaching crisis in Mexico seems to demand, if not immediate action, at least a close and impartial consideration of the question of recognition or non-recognition from every point of view. Those persons who are now arguing in favor of quick recognition insist that the fact that Great Britain, France, Germany, and Spain have recognized the Huerta Government justifies similar action by the United States. That does not necessarily follow, if the President's reasons for withholding recognition are sufficient. The advocates of recognition declare that the hostility caused in Mexico by non-recognition will lead to serious complications, and that if Gen. Huerta is able, on any terms at all, to secure a foreign loan without our aid the standing of American business men in Mexico will be ruined and they will suffer from discrimination in favor of their foreign rivals.
    On the other hand, it is not customary to extend formal recognition to Provisional Governments. Mr. de la Barra, when he was Provisional President of Mexico, did not ask for recognition. But he took office when there was no lack of public funds and the election of Madero was in sight. Clearly the case of de la Barra cannot be fairly cited as a precedent. Our Government, however, has lately recognized the Provisional Government of China, and its action in that instance has received general approval. It seems not unlikely that, in spite of the international mischief-makers, the recognition of the Huerta Government would be as favorably regarded in this country if the President could see his way clear to take that course. But the idea is quite general that he must have other reasons than any yet made public for withholding recognition.