Albuquerque Morning Journal

AMBASSADOR DE LA BARRA BECOMES PREMIER OF MEXICO

Representative in Washington Chosen By President Diaz as First Member of New Cabinet; Succeeds Enrique Creel.

NEW MINISTER STRONG ADVOCATE OF ARBITRATION

Identified With No Political Faction It Is Believed He Will Prove Popular Minister of Foreign Relations.

[By Morning Journal Special Leased Wire]

Washington, March 25.—Francisco de La Barra, Mexican ambassador to the United States, was today named minister of foreign relations of the Mexican cabinet by President Diaz. Senor de La Barra has telegraphed his acceptance to Mexico City.

Immediately after telegraphing his acceptance, Senor de La Barra went to the White House and informed President Taft. The president expressed pleasure at the ambassador's appointment and congratulated him warmly.

As the ambassador has decided to leave here tomorrow for Mexico City the president bade him farewell.

Senor de La Barra also called upon Secretary of State Knox and informed him of the appointment. Mr. Knox congratulated the ambassador.

The new minister of foreign relations, in making the announcement to the Associated Press of his appointment said he did not know whether any other members of the new cabinet had been decided upon.

The fact that Ambassador de La Barra was a candidate for the post of minister of foreign relations had been known by friends in Washington for some time. The ambassador, however, always had expressed a desire that publicity should not be given to such information. His reason was that while he would feel it a duty to his country to accept the post if it were offered to him, he really preferred to remain in Washington where, in the position of ambassador, he might continue in the work of cementing the friendly relations between Mexico and the United States.

In discussing privately last night with a representative of the Associated Press the probability of his appointment as minister of foreign relations, the ambassador disclosed the fact that his name had been mentioned by supporters of both the federal government and the revolutionary movement. He said he hoped, however, President Diaz might confer the honor of the premiership in his cabinet on some one else, but that if the post were offered to him he would feel it a duty to accept.

A message reached the ambassador at 7 o'clock tonight from Senor Creel, who resigned yesterday as minister of foreign relations, in which the latter announced to Senor de La Barra that it was President Diaz' wish that he accept the post of minister of foreign relations.

The ambassador wired his acceptance at once and called on President Taft.

The ambassador said he had not the slightest idea who would succeed him in his post at Washington. Asked if he thought Senor Creel, who once was the Mexican ambassador here, might return, he answered he had absolutely no information on the subject.

Senor de La Barra has not been identified with any particular political party in Mexico and the significance of his appointment is that it is expected to meet with the hearty approval of all factions. He has devoted himself chiefly to the foreign relations of Mexico, having been ambassador to various countries.

When it became known that Senor Creel would resign the ministry of foreign relations, those conversant with Mexican affairs without hesitation picked Senor de La Barra as the most likely successor because of his familiarity with the country's foreign affairs. He always has taken a deep interest in arbitration and universal peace and has taken a leading part in furthering the cause of arbitration among Washington diplomats.

He made a special study of international law and was for many years a professor of jurisprudence and logic at the university school at Mexico City. For five years he was a member of the Mexican federal congress and in 1902 was appointed minister to South American republics on the Atlantic side. In 1904 he became Mexico's representative at Belgium and The Netherlands and his four years in Europe successfully negotiated treaties for his country with Italy and Holland. He represented Mexico at The Hague conference of 1907 and became ambassador to the United States in 1909.

Ambassador de La Barra is 48 years old.