Our Reply to Madero on Intervention Outlook is Called Friendly.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 18, 1913:
TO ARREST DE LA BARRA
Man Picked to be Provisional President Now Said to be in Hiding.
DYNAMITE PLOT CHECKED
Federal Secret Service Men Arrest and Put Conspirators to Death.
NEUTRAL ZONE PROTECTED
Government Distributing Bread to the Refugees in the Poorer Quarters.
BORDER TOWN CAPTURED
Rebels Seize Matamoras, Opposite Brownsville, Texas — Blanquet Arrives to Aid Madero.
MADERO VERY CONFIDENT.
By Cable to The Editor of The New York Times.
MEXICO CITY, Feb. 17.— Not even for a moment have I thought or do I think of leaving the post to which the votes of my fellow-citizens raised me. The situation is improving greatly all over the republic as well as in the capital. All seems to point to the early capture of the citadel (arsenal) without great loss of blood.
    FRANCISCO I. MADERO.

Special Cable to The New York Times.
    MEXICO CITY, Feb. 17.— Another fruitless bombardment marked the day's  hostilities in the Mexican capital.
    President Madero said to-night that henceforth he would give no quarter to the enemy.
    He asserted that he would attack the arsenal in full force and with all his guns, and capture the Diaz citadel or compel the unconditional surrender of the rebel forces.
    Señor de la Barra, the former Provisional President, is missing, and the report is current to-night that President Madero has ordered him to be arrested, if found.
    Juan Sanchez Azcona, private secretary to Madero, denied to-night that de la Barra had been arrested. The Twenty-ninth Regiment arrived to-day, under the command of Gen. Blanquet. It brought four light guns and one mortar. It is thought that Blanquet's coming with these reinforcements for the Government dispels all doubt about his having intentionally inspired the stories of disloyalty. He brings 200 men of one of the finest infantry forces of the army. He was greeted by Gen. Huerta with a speech from the balcony of the palace. Cheers were given for the Government, Madero, Huerta, and Blanquet. Gen. Huerta commended the loyally of Blanquet and praised the men for their hard march from Toluca.
    With big guns on both sides, the artillery duel in the heart of the city was resumed at an early hour this forenoon.
    The firing was severe for a time, but, despite a slight extension of Gen. Diaz's lines, the Government forces are not giving way to any appreciable extent.
    One detachment of regulars is stationed within two blocks of the American Embassy. It seems to be having an excellent effect in maintaining the neutral zone and aiding in the protection of American residents of the city.
    Better order is being kept in the vicinity of the embassy.
    The streets of the city have been practically deserted to-day.
    Capt. Burnside, the American Military Attache, to-day warned his countrymen to remain off the roofs and thus avoid danger to themselves and others. He said that their neighbors would be justified in forcibly removing them from the roofs.
    His advice is approved by the combatants on both sides and will bring good results, preventing many possible but unnecessary complications.
    President Madero has spent most of the day in the palace, surrounded by members of his Cabinet and military advisers. It is reported that he is much pleased with President Taft's answer to his protest against any intervention.
    Señor Azcona, President Madero's secretary, states that there will be no further communication to President Taft in answer to his reply about intervention.
    The Government officials are both pleased and relieved by the tone of President Taft's message.
    An official bulletin has been issued, which spreads the report that the American Congress disapproved of interference in Mexican affairs.
    A dastardly plot to drop dynamite bombs on passing Government machines bound for the palace was frustrated this afternoon by the good work of secret Government agents. By quick action the Rurales captured the conspirators and executed several of them.
    The rest are held incomunicado in the building opposite, under heavy guard.
    To The Times correspondent President Madero expressed his pleasure at the successful efforts of the police and Rurales. Several of them will receive the reward of promotion. Many men are said to be volunteering for service in the regular army. Recruiting officers are going about the streets giving the men a chance to enlist and be escorted through the lines to the palace.
    The Government is. distributing bread in the poorer quarters, Carmen, Bolsa, and Peralvillo. The police stations are being made the distributing points. Many women and children gather to get food, making pathetic scenes. Some men have been so impressed by the sight that they enlisted forthwith to get an opportunity to reach the palace.
    During the fighting the telephone girls are standing by bravely, courteously attending to all calls, though the exchange is directly in the line of firing. All other services except the cable are closed.