De La Barra Scouts Intervention Talk.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 9, 1913:
Ambassador Asserts American Aggression Would Unite All Mexicans Against Us.
HAS FIRM FAITH IN WILSON
Our Refusal of Recognition to Huerta Held Back South American Countries, He Says.
    Speaking as a Mexican loyal in every respect to the country of his birth, and entertaining only the friendliest of sentiments toward the United States and the American people, Francisco de la Barra, formerly provisional President of Mexico, and ex-Ambassador to Washington, said yesterday that intervention in Mexico would mean that all Mexico, to the last man if necessary, would unite to oppose such an action by the American Government.
    But Señor de la Barra, who, with his family, arrived from Vera Cruz yesterday afternoon, on the way to France as Ambassador, was quick to add that he was certain that intervention was not being considered at Washington, and that despite the conditions now existing in Mexico, the outlook was bright for peace and order in the land south of the Rio Grande, and the continuation of a warm and sympathetic friendship between the United States and Mexico. He deeply regretted that President Wilson had not seen fit to recognize the Huerta Government, yet he said that he entertained only the loftiest opinions of Woodrow Wilson, whom he described as a man whose most distinguishing characteristic was 'a love of exact Justice.'
    Señor de la Barra, who perhaps is the most popular man in Mexico and the one man who enjoys the respect and the confidence of practically all the contending factions, also is the Mexican who perhaps has the largest number of influential friends in the United States. He has spent many years in this country, and as he himself puts it he believes he understands the American people, and his opinion of them and their Government is so high that he still believes the present crisis in Mexico will pass and that its passing will not impair the friendship of the two countries.

Conditions Improving.
    "The Mexican situation," said Señor de la Barra. "is twofold, so to speak. There is the problem involving our internal affairs, and that which has to do with the external affairs of my country. First of the internal affairs, and in this connection I want to say that since my arrival in New York the information that has come to me is of such a nature as to indicate that those conditions are steadily improving, and that everywhere in the republic law and order are being restored. The military programme of the Government of Gen. Huerta is being carried out as planned. Railroad communication from end to end of the country has been re-established, and this fact, above all others. indicates the success of the Government in the re-establishment of tranquil conditions.
    "I have no official mission to the United States at this time, and for this reason I am in a way permitted to speak much more plainly than would otherwise be the case. I have lived in the United States during a large number of the years of my life, and I flatter myself that I know and understand the sentiments of the American people and their high sense of honor and Justice.
    "I am not personally acquainted with President Wilson, but I have studied his career, and I believe that the most distinguishing trait of Woodrow Wilson's character is a great sense of exact justice to all men and peoples.
    "In my opinion Mexican conditions should be considered from that point of view, which brings into the light, so to speak, the fundamental elements of the problem. We have had a bitter civil war that has lasted for three years, but I am optimistic enough to see a brighter sky ahead. The financial condition of the country is good. There have been no failures or bankruptcies of any importance.

Won't Tolerate Intervention.
    "And now I am going to refer to a rather delicate subject for a man in my position to discuss. I mean the question of intervention in the affairs of our country. I am speaking as a man who entertains only the loftiest sentiments for the American people. Remember that. Yet I am certainly giving you the exact truth when I tell you that any form of intervention whatsoever could mean but one thing, and that is, that instead of improving conditions and affording security to Americans and American property, it would produce just the contrary effect."
    "You mean that the Mexican people will not tolerate intervention of any kind?" Señor de la Barra was asked.
    "Yes, that Is what I mean," he replied.
    "Intervention," the Ambassador continued, "would mean that all political differences in Mexico would be forgotten, that all political parties would unite, that every man, no matter whether for or against the present Government, would come to the defense of the motherland the very moment that intervention became a fact. By intervention I mean interference of any kind in the internal affairs of the country.
    "But I wish to add that I have the greatest confidence in the Government and people of the United States. I know the sentiments of your people and I am patriotic enough and optimistic enough, if you so wish, to absolutely believe that the relations between America and Mexico are not to be less friendly, but more so in the future than ever before.
    "How do the Mexican people regard the refusal of this Government to recognize the Huerta Government?" Señor de la Barra was asked.
    "I was the Minister of Foreign Affairs," Señor de la Barra answered, "during the first weeks of the Huerta Government and the Taft Administration did recognize the present Government in a message that President Taft sent to Gen. Huerta, the day after Gen. Huerta took the oath of office. So far the present Administration at Washington has not answered the autograph letter sent to President Wilson the day of his inauguration by Gen. Huerta.
    "Do you think a recognition of the Government of Gen. Huerta would have simplified the problem now confronting the Mexican Government?"
    "Yes, I do think it would have had a good effect. All the other nations except the United States, Brazil, the Argentine Republic, and Chile have recognized the Government now in power. The failure of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile is, I understand, due to an agreement made with the Washington Government."

Silent on Lind Mission.
    "What about the mission of Mr. Lind?" he was asked.
    "That has all happened since I left Mexico, and I am not sufficiently informed as to the nature of Mr. Lind's mission to answer that question."
    Señor De la Barra's attention was called to the statement that Mr. Lind would be persona non grata in Mexico.
    "I do not know anything about that, but, basing my answer on their attitude in the past, the Mexicans have always acted with discretion and serenity toward Americans and all other foreigners."
    "How long will it take the Huerta Government to restore order?" he was asked.
    "The conditions," he replied, "are improving all the time, especially from a military standpoint, and at the present moment lives and property are more secure than at any time since the present troubles started. The last few weeks especially have shown a great improvement."
    Speaking of Gen. Huerta, Señor De la Barra said he was prompted by motives of justice and fairness, and would see to it that nothing precipitate was done in the present crisis.