Mr. Lind's Mission.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 8, 1913:
    It is not necessary for Provisional President Huerta to jump at conclusions as to the nature of Mr. Lind's mission. All that is known in this country, by official statement, is that Mr. Lind goes as adviser to our embassy. The Mexican Government has no occasion to take offense at the sending of such an adviser — certainly not before it is officially informed what advice is to be given, and probably not then. Mr. Lind will not take with him to the City of Mexico the warship in which he proceeds to Vera Cruz. His mission is entirely friendly, that is to be assumed. It is, therefore, preposterous for President Huerta's Minister of Foreign Affairs to say that if Mr. Lind does not bring with him recognition of the Government of Mexico his presence there will be "undesirable."
    The situation in which our relations with Mexico have been placed is delicate, it is unfortunate. Our belief has been, and is, that it should have been avoided by earlier and different action. But it is to be assumed that President Wilson has been actuated by a sincere purpose to bring about a better understanding and to put our relations upon a more definite footing. That being the case, there is no occasion for President Huerta and his Government, to be unduly apprehensive. There is a way, well known in diplomacy, of declining to receive unacceptable communications. It is first to find out what they are, and then to say that they cannot be entertained. That course will be open to the Government of Mexico after the arrival of Mr. Lind. President Huerta would be very ill-advised should he now take an attitude that would tend further to impair in this country confidence in his steadiness and sobriety of judgment. It is to the interest of both countries that all causes of irritation be avoided.