The Washington times., 1911-04-11

Constant reiteration of the Japanese
war scare, repeated from time to time
in detail and surrounded on each occa-
sion with what purports to be substan-
tial circumstantial evidence, Is begin
ming to get on the nerves Of members
of Congress-, Notwithstanding assur-
ances from the White House that the
mobilization of the American troops on
the Texas border line was due entirely
to the grave nature of the Mexican
revolution.
Senators who have interested them
selves in the matter have received con-
tiicting information. Many of them,
and particularly those who are members
Of the Committee on Foreign Relations,
assert in the most emphatic terms and
upon authority of President Taft him
self, that the attempt to connect Japan
with the mobilization of the troops Is
malicious and without justification. one
Of these Senators is authority for the
statement that a mysterious propaganda
is being carried on. This Senator does
not pretend to know the source OF
this propaganda, but expresses hlmselt
as confident that the time is not far
distant when all of the facts will be-
come known.
Seeks Battleship Construction.
The nearest approach to a definite
charge in connection with the constant
assertion that the fear of a Japanese
invasion of Mexico prompted the Presi-
dents action, is made by Representa-
tive Foster. of Vermont, chairman OF
the House Committee on Foreign Az
fairs in the last Congress. Mr.. Foster
says he Is convinced that there Is
Gconspiracy on foot for the purpose or
forcing the President and Congress into
a position where it will be impossible
for the executive and legislative
branches of the Government to with
stand a manufactured public sentiment
in favor of big navy.
This conspiracy will unfold itself to
the country" declared Mr.. Foster to-
day. II have been looking into this
subject with a great deal of care, ana
l am convinced that there Is a conspI-
acy hatched by certain interests whlcn
would profit by a Governmental pro-
cram looking to greatly increased activ-
ity in the construction of battleships
am not vet prepared to disclose the
information which has come into my
possession, but 1t is sufficiently definite
to lead me to believe that there is a
almost time he was smoked out.
Conflicting Conference Reports.
Curiously enough. some Of the Sena-
tors who have talked with President
Taft about the movement OF the troops
are telling stories which do not coincide
in every detail, so far as Japan is con-
cerned.
one Senator. who was called to the
White House Immediately upon his
arrival in Washington, and before Con-
gress convened. is not in accord with
other Senators who declare that the
movement of the troops was due solely
to conditions in Mexico: This Senator.
who said he was not at liberty to reveal
the nature of his conversation with the
President. declared that while the con
trolling influence which prompted the
President to send the troops to Texas
was internal disorders in Mexico. he
nevertheless carried away from the
White House the distinct impression
that this Government did not like the
nature of the information which had
been received regarding negotiations be-
tween Mexico and Japan, and that.