Wilson Warns Latin America.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 12, 1913:
In Personal Statement He Voices Our Friendship and Condemns Intriguers.
MAY BE AIMED AT CASTRO
Washington Has Had Rumors of Revolutionary Plot Involving Many Republics.
ISSUED WITHOUT BRYAN'S AID
Central American Affairs Were a Cabinet Theme, but Document Was Prepared by President.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, March 11.— There is reason to believe that a statement on the relations of the United States to Latin America, written by President Wilson, and issued by him after a meeting of the Cabinet to-day, has deep and significant bearing on a concerted movement in Central America, fostered by ex-President Castro of Venezuela, ex-President Zelaya of Nicaragua, and other malcontents who were about to start a revolution intended to involve all, or nearly all, the Central American Republics.
    It is understood that this Government had trustworthy advices that the revolutionary plans had been practically formed, and it was felt by the President and his advisers that unless action was taken by the Washington Administration, Central America would soon be in a turmoil that might involve the United States in serious difficulties with foreign nations. The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet to-day, and it was decided by the President and his official advisers that a statement should be issued defining the attitude of the Wilson Administration toward Central America. After the meeting President Wilson wrote out the statement and directed that it be given to the press. The statement read: "In view of questions which are naturally uppermost in the public mind just now, the President issued the following statement:
    "'One of the chief objects of my Administration will be to cultivate the friendship and deserve the confidence of our sister republics of Central and South America and to promote in every proper and honorable way the interests which are common to the peoples of the two continents. I earnestly desire the most cordial understanding and co-operation between the peoples and leaders of America, and therefore deem it my duty to make this brief statement:
    "'Co-operation is possible only when supported at every turn by the orderly processes of just government, based upon law and not upon arbitrary or irregular force. We hold, as I am sure all thoughtful leaders of republican government everywhere hold, that just government rests always upon the consent of the governed, and that there can be no freedom without order, based upon law and upon the public conscience and approval. We shall look to make these principles the basis of mutual intercourse, respect, and helpfulness between our sister republics and ourselves.

No Friendship for Self-Seekers.
    "'We shall lend our influence of every kind to the realization of these principles in fact and practice, knowing that disorder, personal intrigue, and defiance of constitutional rights weaken and discredit government and injure none so much as the people who are unfortunate enough to have their common life und their common affairs so tainted and disturbed.
    "'We can have no sympathy with those who seek to seize the power of government to advance their own personal interests or ambition. We are the friends of peace, but we know that there can be no lasting or stable peace in such circumstances.
    "'As friends, therefore, we shall prefer those who act in the interest of peace and honor, who protect private rights and respect the restraints of constitutional provision. Mutual respect seems to us the indispensable foundation of friendship between States as between individuals. "'The United States has nothing to seek in Central and South America except the lasting interests of the peoples of the two continents, the security of governments, intended for the people, and for no special group or interest, and the development of personal and trade relationships between the two continents, which shall redound to the profit and advantage of both and interfere with the rights and liberties of neither. "'From these principles may be read so much of the future policy of this Government as it is necessary now to forecast; and in the spirit of thèse principles I may, I hope, be permitted with as much confidence as earnestness to extend to the governments of all the republics of America the hand of genuine, disinterested friendship, and to pledge my own honor and the honor of my colleagues to every enterprise of peace and amity that a fortunate future may disclose." The President's statement was prepared as a result of a discussion of Latin American affairs at to-day's meeting of the Cabinet. The statement was made ready by President Wilson personally after the Cabinet meeting, and was not seen by Secretary Bryan until it was shown to him this afternoon by newspaper men.

Diplomats Wonder What He Means.
    The declaration of Wilson's policy excited the liveliest interest in diplomatic circles, particularly among the representatives of the Central American republics.

Aimed at Central America?
    There was much conjecture whether the statement was intended as a warning to the present Mexican Government or the Gomez Administration in Cuba, but the general opinion was that it was aimed more particularly at Central America.

Intended to Warn Plotters.
    While the statement is such as to leave it open to question whether it is intended as a threat or the extension of the olive branch of friendship, the understanding in official circles is that what the President has to say in this first important statement of his term will not be lost on Castro, Zelaya and others who have been organizing the farthest reaching revolutionary movement ever attempted in the Central American Republics.
    No information was forthcoming from the White House or from Secretary Bryan as to the exact meaning of the statement, which, according to the answers made to requests for an interpretation of it, "speaks for itself." But it was learned late to-night that what President Wilson and members of his Cabinet had in mind when they discussed the necessity of issuing the statement was information of the approaching climax of the general Central American conspiracy, that foreboded trouble to this Government in its capacity of protecting not only the interests of American citizens, but those of citizens and subjects of foreign Governments as well.
    The main purpose of the statement, it is believed, is to warn Castro, Zelaya, and the other plotters that their plans are known and will not be tolerated by the United States Government. The idea had gone forth in Central America that the Wilson Administration intended to follow a "hands off" policy with regard to Latin-America, and that the passing of Taft and Knox would be the signal for license to indulge in riot and insurrection. The State Department has been aware for a long time that this idea was spreading in Central America, and that it was being used to make a foundation for a plot, having for its object the overthrow of the present governments in practically all the Central American republics. i
    The statement prepared by President Wilson, little as may be understood in this country, will be read by Castro and his fellow plotters with thorough knowledge of what it means. At least, that is said to be the basic idea of the President and his Cabinet in issuing it. The statement means that the Wilson Administration intends to make no change in the policy pursued toward Central America by the Administration of President Taft. If American or foreign interests are threatened or do not receive adequate protection, the new Government, it is believed, will not hesitate to land marines on Central American territory, not only to give protection to aliens but also to keep means of communication open.
    In fact, it is to be inferred that the Wilson Administration will pursue exactly the same policy as was followed under the Taft Administration recently, when marines fought their way through Nicaragua against opposition from bands of revolutionists in order to succor American and foreign citizens whose lives were in danger.
    It is known that toward the close of the Taft Administration reports reached the State Department regarding a serious state of affairs in Latin America. For several weeks the department has been getting dispatches from diplomatic and Consular officers that a conspiracy has been formed by ex-President Castro of Venezuela, ex-President Zelaya of Nicaragua, and other Latin-American malcontents who had been ousted from office to organize a movement that would overthrow the rulers in every Central American republic.
    That Castro has had a hand in this plot is firmly believed by Government officials. It is presumed that in joining this revolutionary holding company Castro has in mind a scheme to organize an army in Central America to invade Venezuela and put himself once more at the head of the Government. With Central America in the hands of his fellow-plotters, he would be in an excellent position to do this. Arms and ammunition and troops could be obtained without much difficulty, and a superior force could be landed on Venezuelan soil.
    The Wilson Administration is considering whether there shall be a change in the plans for the Spring practice of the Atlantic fleet, due to sail from Guantanamo Monday for Hampton Roads. It has been suggested that the ships should be kept at Guantanamo until conditions in Central America are more settled. It is possible that the four battleships now at Vera Cruz and Tampico will remain there for the present, while the rest of the fleet proceeds northward.