Lind Won't Take Embassy.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 7, 1913:
On Way to Mexico, Says He Would Decline Appointment as Ambassador
Special to The New York Times.
    NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 6.— Avoiding newspaper men, even engaging an apartment in the St. Charles Hotel without registering, John Lind, ex-Governor of Minnesota and the personal representative of President Wilson to advise the American Embassy in Mexico City, spent a little more than three hours in New Orleans this morning. He left here at 11:30 o'clock for Galveston, where he will board the battleship New Hampshire for Vera Cruz.
    The first man in New Orleans to find ex-Gov. Lind was Mark Anthony, city passenger agent of the Frisco lines, who delivered an "important message" to him.
    "It was strictly executive," said Mr. Anthony. "No. I can't say even from what source the message came. I will say, though, it was from high authority."
    Mr. Lind would not discuss any of the features in connection with his mission to Mexico.
    "That would be impossible," he said. "Absolutely out of the question. My appointment to this very important diplomatic post is only temporary. Therefore I don't know how long I shall remain in Mexico."
    To Mr. Lind were shown despatches from Washington in which it was intimated he would be named formally as the American Ambassador to Mexico when a sound Government should be established in that country. Replying to an inquiry regarding them, he said:
    "I don't know of any such understanding as referred to in this clipping. I would decline the appointment as I did some weeks ago when the President honored me by offering me an important diplomatic post."
    The ex-Governor would not discuss any feature of the statement accredited to Gen. Huerta wherein the President of the Mexican Republic was quoted as having said that if Mr. Lind was to be a success in Mexico he, Lind, must stay out of politics.
    "I am sent, on a mission by the President of the United States," said Mr. Lind, "and naturally it would not be incumbent on me to discuss the nature of the business in the public press."
    Mr. Lind made practically the same reply when told that President Huerta would not accept intervention or mediation and would not treat with the rebels.
    "I have nothing whatever to say," said Mr. Lind, "You already have my reasons."
    It developed that Mr. Lind was empowered to explain to all inquirers the unalterable opposition of the American Government to the recognition of the Huerta Government

    ST. PAUL, Aug. 6.— John Lind, President Wilson's personal representative in Mexico, received an offer of the post of Ambassador to Norway two months ago, but declined it, according to a statement made to-day by F. B. Lynch, Minnesota's Democratic National Committeeman. Mr. Lind declined other appointments, Mr. Lynch asserted.

    HOUSTON, Texas, Aug. 6.— John Lind, on the way to Mexico City as the personal representative of President Wilson, was delayed in his journey by derailment to-night near Houston of the train on which he was traveling. Mr. and Mrs. Lind were not hurt.