The Wilson Administration came into power a few days after Huerta had seized the Mexican Government.

The first difficulty presented to the State Department was to determine its attitude toward this usurper.
A few days after President Wilson's inauguration Mr.Irwin Laughlin, then Charge d'Affaires in London--this was several weeks before Page's arrival--was instructed to ask the British Foreign Office what its attitude would be in regard to the recognition of President Huerta.

Mr.
Laughlin informed the Foreign Office that he was not instructed that the United States had decided on any policy, but that he felt sure it would be to the advantage of both countries to follow the same line.

The query was not an informal one; it was made in definite obedience to instructions and was intended to elicit a formal commitment.

The unequivocal answer that Mr.Laughlin received was that the British Government would not recognize Huerta, either formally or tacitly.
Mr.Laughlin sent his message immediately to Washington, where it apparently made a favourable impression.