The Washington herald., 1911-03-14
MEXICAN PUZZLE
Is ACCUMULATED
Continued from Page One.

will then proceed to Galveston The
Chester, which was ordered from Pensa-
cola to Vera Cruz, Tampico, and Tuspan,
will also heard north for Galveston.
MeXicos ground of protest was un-
doubtedly the fact that the presence of
American war vessels lent color to the
statements that the chief purpose of the
cruises was for the protection of Ameri-
can and other foreign property in Mexico.
The Mexican government has deeply re-
sented the insinuation that it is unable
to cope with the present situation, and
the ordering of American vessels to GER
tain Mexican ports which had not been
visited for many years has attracted the
earnest attention of European govern
ments.
Apparently the Mexican government
feels that the movements of these naval
vessels, when taken in connection with
the mobilization of the troops, is creating
a false impression of its own ability to
handle the situation. The Mexican gov
ernment, it is understood, therefore, took
the position that the patrol of American
war vessels along the Mexican coasts
was not only unnecessary but harmful
to the best interests of Mexico
Second ProteSt Made.
This is the second time that the
Mexican government has found it nee
essary within the last two or three
weeks TO make a formal displomatic
protest to the United States in connec-
ton with the border difficulties The
first complaint was lodged with the
State Department because Mexico felt
that this government was not doing
its full duty to prevent violations of
the neutrality laws.
This protest on the part of Mexico
had Z good deal to do with the deter
minatiOn of President Taft and his ad-
visers to hurry 10000 troops to Texas
and to send war vessels along the Mex
lean coasts. The Mexican government
now obviously believes that the United
States has overshot the mark in re-
spending to the former protest, and is
now eagerly desirous of an abatement
in the activity of the United States
army and navy departments.
Maj. Gen. Wood was very positive yes
terday in his statement that none of the
troops at San Antonio would be sent to
the Mexican border. He was equally
emphatic in declaring that the force now
CT the border would not be increased.
In the statement which Secretary of
War Dickinson is quoted as having made
in New York yesterday. he said:
In order to maintain the neutrality
laws, it has been deemed advisabl to
send troops to the border. and on &C
count of the immense length of the
frontier and the fact that the Rio Grande
can be crossed at almost any point, a
larger number of troops has been dis
patched than would otherwise prove nee
ecSary.''
GIaring Inconsistencies.
About the same time that Maj. Gen.
Wood was making his statement another
of President Taft's closest official ad-
visers in Washington was saying that the
real purpose of the sending of the troops
to Mexico was to maintain the neutrality
laws. This official pointed out that it was
necessary to strengthen the force along
the border in order to prevent the ship
nents of arms and ammunition which
were being carried across the frontier
% the insurgents. The United States, un-
jer its Interpretation of the neutrality
avs, cannot hold up shipment of arms
and ammunition unless it is in the keep
ng of an expedition. According to this
official, however, il was the purpose of
he United States to prevent these eXpedi-
ions across the frontier and to compel
he shipments in regular form. This
would make it possible for the Mexican
government to seize the shipments on the
other side of the Rio Grande.
The inconsistencies in omciai state
nents on this movement of troops to-
ward the Mexican border have been
,larIng since the first orders were issued
This may be accounted for, in part, by
he fact that nearly all of the officials
Who, under ordinary circumstances, would
e handling the situation have been out
f Washington. Secretary of State Knox
las been resting at Palm Beach. Fla, !
incc this trouble began; Assistant SeCre-
ary of State Huntington Wilson has
'een in Aiken, S. c., for three days doc |
oring a cold; Secretary of War Dickin- !
;on has been trying to make arrange |
nents for trip to Panama; Secretary |
f the Navy Meyer is in Boston, and !
President Taft is in Augusta. Mean !
-hile the telegraph wires are being kept |
ot and contradictory statements are be- |
lg made.
To Be Encamped Six Months.
officers OF the War Department expect |
hat the present mobilization of troops |
n Texas will continue for at least six |
months. A high officer of the War De |
artment said yesterday that the troops |
ril remain in Texas probably until the |
nd of the coming summer. Maj. Gen
William II. Carter, former Assistant
'hief of Staff, who is in command of |
he maneuver division, will be at the
cad Of the troops for the first part of
his period. Later another general Off
er of the army will succeed him in
The brigadier generals in
Ommand of the independent brigades
iso will be changed later. These
hanges are designed for the purpose of
raining as many as possible of the
igh3r officers of the army.
A camp of about / 300 marines was yes
erday established at Guantanamo. 4
)rce of 600 marines was landed from the
attic ships of the Atlantic Fleet, which
allied from Guantanamo for Hampton
Dads. The cruiser Prairie arrived at
from Philadelphia with
etachment of 700 marines on board.
hey were Immediately landed Within
lie next few days the cruiser Dixie will
rive at Guantanamo, carrying 100 addi-
onal marines. These will make a total
larine detachment of 1000 men, in COM
land of Col L. T. M Waller. The ma
mes will engage in regimental drills, ex-
-cises, and target practice.