Bryan Bars Mexican Films.

New York Times 100 years ago today, April 6, 1913:
Wouldn't Let Carnage Scenes Be Shown at State Department. Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, April 5.— Secretary Bryan refused to allow a moving picture operator to display to him some films depicting scenes in the City of Mexico described as having a bearing on the kitting of the Maderos. It was plain from his attitude that Mr. Bryan was feeling the responsibilities of high public office.
    Before Mr. Bryan declined to see the pictures he and a throng of officeseekers in one of the State Department reception rooms had been treated to a display of pictures showing scenes along the Panama Canal on a screen set up at one end of the room. Afterward a fine set of films showing the recent inaugural parade and President Wilson and Vice President Wilson reviewing it were exhibited.
    The Mexican pictures Mr. Bryan would not see depicted the fighting between the Felix Diaz forces and those of the late President Madero and the effects of the carnage. The photographer explained to Mr. Bryan how he had gone to the City of Mexico in great haste when the trouble broke out, arrived there the day that Madero and Vice President Suarez were murdered, and took as many pictures as he could the following week. He said the films would show how miles and miles of Mexican railroads had been destroyed, with the rails torn up and heated and twisted around trees, and burned bridges. The scenes in the City of Mexico, he said, indicated the serious loss of life, with dead bodies of soldiers and citizens piled up in the streets and buildings battered and ruined.
    Secretary Bryan said he had no doubt that the pictures would be very interesting, but was firm in his refusal to permit them to be displayed in the State Department.