Monday, August 19, 2013

Huerta Gave Us Till Midnight To Recognize Him.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 19, 1913:
An Ultimatum Sent Requiring Quick Action Under Threat of Ending Relations.
WASHINGTON WON'T BELIEVE
Officials Profess Doubt That Such a Demand Has Been Made.
HUERTA AND LIND CONFER
Mexican President Has Rejected Lind's Proposals for a Settlement.
BRYAN SENT A SHARP NOTE
The Secretary Had Demanded Intimdiation of Americans Be Ended Forthwith.
SENATOR BURTON DESPAIRS
Should Mexico Maintain Her Present Attitude, He Says, He Sees Only Intervention Ahead.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    MEXICO CITY, Aug. 18.— President Huerta has given the United States Government until midnight to-night to recognize his Government.
    If recognition is not forthcoming, all communication between the two nations will be stopped, according to an official statement made to-night.
    The text of the notes exchanged will not be made public until the answer of the United States is received.
    The answer to the Land note was delivered to-day after a short Cabinet meeting.
    Mr. Lind had a conference to-night with President Huerta which lasted an hour and a half. At its close he announced that the interview had been a cordial one.
    The Huerta pronunciamento is taken here with the utmost seriousness.
    The news leaked out and spread like wildfire this afternoon. President Huerta's action met general approval, but there was grave apprehension as to the possible action of the United States.
    Exchange advanced 10 points early this afternoon, and was still rising when the market closed.
    President Huerta announced that Mexico was prepared to assume the responsibility for her action, and said that national dignity demanded such determined action on the part of the Mexican Government. The Ministry showed no excitement, and it was evident that their stand had been determined upon after serious consideration.
    The members of the Cabinet had been in consultation with prominent members of various political parties.
    A prominent member of the Liberal Party, who refused to be quoted for political reasons, said that President Huerta would never resign, and would never permit the interference of another nation in the affairs of Mexico. Despite the fact that Huerta was a member of another party than his, he said he believed that the majority of Mexicans would support him in his stand, as he was thought the only man able to handle the present situation and establish peace.
    While it is rumored here that Europe and Japan are backing the United States, this is denied here.
    It was rumored here late this afternoon that the United States did not take the Mexican answer as final. This is regarded here as a serious mistake, laying the United States open to further rebuff from Mexico.
    It is remarked by prominent men that President Huerta is taking his stand while fully cognizant of the strength of the United States, but his action is regarded as precluding further delay on the part of the Washington Government in the declaration of its policy toward Mexico. It is believed that the Huerta Government is desirous to know what action to take at once, without further equivocation on the part of the United States.
    The general belief here is that Washington is playing an internal political game and is purposely delaying the solution of the Mexican problem pending action on the tariff.
    The sentiment of Americans here is that unless Washington makes clear its position, giving American citizens here to understand what is to be expected, representations will be made to other nations to insure action.
    No statement could be obtained from Mr. Lind to-night.
    It was learned late to-night that the Mexican answer to the Lind note would not be presented for two or three days, if any answer was made. The Embassy officials are greatly excited over the evident leak in the text of the note as published in the United States this afternoon.

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