Carden made things worse by giving out more newspaper interviews, a tendency that had apparently grown into a habit.  “I do not believe that the United States recognizes the seriousness of the situation here. . . .  I see no reason why Huerta should be displaced by another man whose abilities are yet to be tried. . . .  Safety in Mexico can be secured only by punitive and remedial methods, and a strong man;”—­such were a few of the reflections that the reporters attributed to this astonishing diplomat.  Meanwhile, the newspapers were filled with reports that the British Minister was daily consorting with Huerta, that he was constantly strengthening that chieftain’s backbone in opposition to the United States and that he was obtaining concessions in return for this support.  To what extent these press accounts rested on fact cannot be ascertained definitely at this time; yet it is a truth that Carden’s general behaviour gave great encouragement to Huerta and that it had the deplorable effect of placing Great Britain and the United States in opposition.  The interpretation of the casual reader was that Great Britain was determined to seat Huerta in the Presidency against the determination of the United States to keep him out.  The attitude of the Washington cabinet was almost bitter at this time against the British Government.  “There is a feeling here,” wrote Secretary Lane to Page, “that England is playing a game unworthy of her.”

The British Government promptly denied the authenticity of the Carden interview, but that helped matters little, for the American public insisted on regarding such denials as purely diplomatic.  Something of a storm against Carden arose in England itself, where it was believed that his conception of his duties was estranging two friendly countries.  Probably the chief difficulty was that the British Foreign Office could see no logical sequence in the Washington policy.  Put Huerta out—­yes, by all means:  but what then?  Page’s notes of his visit to Sir Edward Grey a few days after the latest Carden interview confirm this: 

* * * * *

I have just come from an hour’s talk with Grey about Mexico.  He showed me his telegram to Carden, asking about Carden’s reported interview criticizing the United States, and Carden’s flat denial.  He showed me another telegram to Carden about Huerta’s reported boast that he would have the backing of London, Paris, and Berlin against the United States, in which Grey advised Carden that British policy should be to keep aloof from Huerta’s boasts and plans.  Carden denied that Huerta made such a boast in his statement to the Diplomatic Corps.  Grey wishes the President to know of these telegrams.