Latin America Heeds Wilson.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 13, 1913:
Conspirators Believed to Have Taken Warning from President's Message.
FURTHER STATEMENTS SOON
Electoral Reform Great Need of Southern Republics to Insure Stability.
POLICY PRAISED IN MEXICO
Minister de la Barra Says That Deeds of Like Character Will Spread Wilson's Fame.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, March 12.— President Wilson's statement yesterday of his purpose to co-operate with the Latin-American republics to promote the interests common to them and the United States is only preliminary to another and possibly several more declarations, which will not be long in coming. It is known that Mr. Wilson cherishes the belief that the moral force of his Administration will be able to work out great reforms in all the Latin-American republics.
    President Wilson thinks that the Latin-American republics' need is electoral machinery which shall lead to genuine self-government. No subject of discussion among the representatives of Central and South American republics here to-day has so absorbed their attention. They have received the statement of the President's views with expressions of satisfaction.
    Dispatches received to-day at the State Department indicate that the statement has already had effect in more than one Central American republic. This was evidenced in the hesitation in the movements of men believed to be plotting (simultaneously with the change of Administration in the United States) attempts to overthrow Governments that have had the friendly countenance of the Taft Administration. These conspirators have been under observation for months, and their plans are more thoroughly understood than generally supposed. Their conviction has been that, with the installation of a new Administration in the United States, revolutions would become easier. This notion is responsible for great activity in the juntas in New York, New Orleans, and elsewhere. But the incoming Administration's call for order has made these gentry pause.
    President Wilson is to believe that a Government based on the consent of the governed should be safeguarded by an electoral system modeled on the best yet tried. There seems a strong possibility that the trial now being made in Cuba of the electoral system of the United States will serve as an example to be followed in other Latin-American countries.
    It is understood that President Wilson intends to take up the question whether such a change cannot be brought about in the method of conducting elections in Mexico and the Central and South American republics. While this effort will express itself in general declarations and the influence of benevolent and high-minded example in international intercourse, there will be specific refusal to entertain relations where there has been conspicuous failure of enlightened self-government. For instance, it is now well understood that there will be no recognition of the Huerta Government except as it may be necessary for the protection of the life and property of Americans in Mexico. Thus the task that the President has set for himself will involve international intercourse that for the time will be disagreeable, but in its broad and humanitarian motive will be justified.