No Mediation, Huerta Repeats.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 6, 1913:
Answer of Provisional President to News of Wilson's Expected Policy to Mexico.
LIND MISSION CALLED ERROR
Strong Hint Made That if He Meddles in Mexico's Affairs He Will Be Expelled.
PLAN AMUSES DIPLOMATS
And Americans Are Glum, Fearing Washington Has Made a Serious Mistake.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    MEXICO CITY, Aug. 5.— News reached here to-day from the United States that President Wilson's policy in national relations with Mexico, to be expressed through ex-Gov. John Lind of Minnesota, now on the way here, was understood to contemplate an agreement among the Mexican factions for a suspension of hostilities; an effort to persuade Gen. Victoriano Huerta to retire in favor of the installation of a Provisional President acceptable to Huertatists and Constitutionalists and the speedy election of a President and Congress which would then be recognized by the United States.
    When this report was carried to President Huerta by The Times correspondent Gen. Huerta stated that he would not have any dealings with revolutionists other than by force of arms, and that much less would he countenance dictation from a foreign government in flagrant violation of the sovereignty and dignity of his own nation. The following questions were prepared by the correspondent and were answered, questions and answers being signed by Provisional President Huerta:
    Question— "I hear from New York that ex-Gov. John Lind of Minnesota is coming to suggest a suspension of hostilities and your withdrawal from power, leaving it in the hands of a President acceptable to the revolutionists and to you. Are you officially informed of this, and what attitude will you adopt?"

Huerta Is Unyielding.
    President Huerta's answer— "I have publicly stated and Minister Urrutia has announced for me that I will accept neither mediation nor intervention of any kind whatever, because I believe that the dignity of the nation and the prestige of the Government so require."
    Question— "Mr. Lind is said to be coming to see about the elections and to gather information, regarding the causes of the revolution and its real origin. Do you care to speak of this?"
    President Huerta's answer— "Every one who comes to this country will soon learn that the present war is the most vigorous of protests in favor of the national dignity and decorum."
    President Huerta stated emphatically that no dealings would be had with the rebels now or at any other time save with bullets; that no terms would be granted, except unconditional surrender. He said that a statement of the policy of the United States would make no change in this regard.
    The President believed it unwise, he added, to make any statement regarding what his action would be should ex-Gov. Lind make any proposals.
    It is believed generally that Mr. Lind will not be received, and that he will be expelled from the country if he attempts to interfere with its internal affairs as prohibited by the Mexican Constitution.

Lind's Visit Called Useless.
    Mr. Lind's mission is regarded by most persons here as impossible of success and as contemplating unwarranted and intolerable interference on the part of the United States in the internal affairs of another sovereign nation.
    The suggestion that President Huerta retire will not be entertained, it is asserted, as Gen. Huerta made that plain through Minister Urrutia's formal statement, and also made clear by his refusal to accept the good offices of former Maderista Deputies to bring the Mexican Federal Government and the revolutionists together. Much less will he accept the interference of a foreigner or a foreign nation.
    It is further believed that a peace that might be established in this way would not last three months. The nature of the revolt in the north is such that permanent peace can be obtained, it is said, only by force of arms. A high official of the Government, though refusing to be quoted, stated to-day:
    "President Huerta has made his position in this respect clear. The belief that he made his statement through fear of appearing weak is not believable to persons knowing the President, who is not in the habit of making statements which he is not prepared to stand by. The suggestion that President Huerta retire is ridiculous, in view of the fact that he is just the man needed at the present time.
    "Furthermore, no person is in sight who would be agreeable to all the factions. The only possible candidate would be some man who is unheard of at this time, and who consequently would be incapable of handling the inevitably delicate internal and foreign financial situation which would follow the establishment of peace.

Step Regarded as Interference.
    "The action by President Wilson in sending Mr. Lind here," the official continued, "can be regarded only as unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of this nation, which, doubtless, President Huerta will not tolerate."
    The mission of ex-Gov. Lind to this country has not yet been published here. It is believed that when it becomes known it will not tend to prepare a desirable reception for him.
    Military men state that the Huerta Government is making good progress toward pacification of Mexico by force of arms. The army, which was disorganized and demoralized after the fall of President Madero, has been raised and reorganized and practically rebuilt. It is just ready to take the field and is improving in fighting ability daily.
    Pacification of the republic is expected to progress much more rapidly henceforth. The Southern rebellion practically has been quelled, after Madero having been unable to crush it with all the means at his disposal in two years.
    It is held that the suggestion that President Huerta shall retire cannot be entertained, and is inopportune, showing a false idea of conditions on the part of the Washington officials.

Amuses European Diplomats.
    The Lind mission is regarded with merriment by European diplomats here. None of them is willing to make a statement for publication, but the indications are that they are making representation to their Governments that they need not expect the United States to handle affairs here, but should take the Wilson Administration at its word and regard it as merely a spectator.
    A prominent diplomat is quoted as saying:
    "What Wilson wants is a Mexican President to whom he can dictate."
    Among these diplomats the sending of Mr. Lind as a personal representative of the President, accompanied by the rumor that he is to be the next Ambassador here, is regarded as a gratuitous slap at the Huerta Administration, which is not calculated to help establish more friendly relations. It is believed that the result will be still greater tension and difficulty in handling business between the United States and Mexico.
    The position of Nelson O'Shaughnessy, the American Chargé, is almost untenable, although he is on the best relations with the Government officials, including the present Secretary of Foreign Relations.
    Diplomats point out the incongruity of sending a man with a purely political mission to take the place of a man removed "because he is regarded as a political factor in Mexico."
    They explain the action of the United States as due to lack of knowledge of the Latin-American temperament, and say that possibly the plan would work with European nations or with some South American republics, but that it is not feasible with Mexico.
    Americans here were dumfounded by the announcement that Mr. Lind was coming extra-officially, although they had expected the acceptance of Ambassador Wilson's resignation.
    The affair is the sole topic of discussion in clubs and other public places. The general impression is one of helplessness. The evident impossibility of reconciling interference of the United States in the internal affairs of Mexico with the President's ideas concerning liberty lead to the general belief that there is something mysterious behind the move.
    Dr. William B. Hale is frequently consulted and is regarded as an oracle, but he is unwilling or unable to explain the puzzle.