New-York tribune., 1911-04-18
fFrorr The Tribune Bureau.l


THp, MEXICAN SITUATION.-Rsrely is
an administration brought face TO face with
a situation as trying as that presented by
the conf1ic, in Mexico I'm which the lives and
property OF American citizens are being
placed In jeopardy as the resutof operations
by force the belligerency OF which TINS
government IS loath to recognize, but Win
which the Mexican government has thus
far proved unable to cope. While appreci-
ating that a continuation of the conditions
along the Mexican border must in time be-
come intolerable. the President and his ad-
Users are determined 10 display inhnite
patience. while they cherish most earnestly
the hope that some basis OF reconcilng the
differences between the conflicting forces
will be reached Two phases OF the situa-
ton impress themselves on the administra-
ton with special emphasis and to the detri-
ment OF the insurgent forces. First, II "
be true that Madero and his associates are
fighting for principle. II is diculmt to un-
derstand their insistence on the purely per-
sonal demand that President Diaz resign
before the expira ton Of his present term.
Secondly. it is impossible 10 escape the
suspicion that concerted effort is being
made bv the insurgents TO embroil tho
United States through the selection OF bat
tlegrounds In the immediate vicinity OF
American towns. and even the distribution
of their forces in such manner as 10 make
lt impossible for the regular forces 70 re-
turn the insurgent fire without menacing
American territory. The most careful re-
view OF the precedents Of international law
has disclosed none which may be accepted
as guide In this situation. In the alb
sence OF any recognition OF the belligerency
OF the insurgents. the Diaz administration
is, OF course, responsible for the acts OF Its
citizens, be they insurgents or not and the
administration has warned the authorities
In Mexico City, that this Is the case.
How long It will be before the Mexican
government will be able TO deal with the
situation or how long the patience OF the
United States will last no one In Washing
ton dare predict. but certain II Is that the
administration is determined TO exhibit the
utmost patience, in order that the Diaz ad-
ministration may have no ground for feel
Ing that tho United States has acted
hastily or without due consideration FOR
the rights Of neighboring republic with
which this country IS at peace.
Up TO CONGRESS- the In
structions issued yesterday 20 the COM
manding officers In Texas under no cir
cumstances to permit American troops TO
cross the boundary into Mexico, the Presi-
dent expressed to members of the Foreign
Affairs committees of the two houses OF
Congress to-day the view that even should
It become necessary for such step 70 be
taken, II Congress was in session X should
take the initiative rather than the Execu-
tive ANY invasion Of Mexico, even for
the most peaceful purposes, would so close
" approximate declaration of war thar
~ Congress is In session the President be-
leves II should authorize the step. The
introduction by Senator Stone, of Missouri
OF q resolution calling on the Foreign Re
Iations Committee for a report on condi-
tions IN Mexico led to the assumption in
some quarters that Il was the expectation
OF the Missouri Senator that the reply 10
his resolution would at least pave the way
for requesting the President 20 intervene.
This Is rot. however. the expectation or
the Senator from Missouri. Mr.. Stone re-
ouested that his resolution lie on the table
without reference, as he purposes TO ad-
dress the Senate on the subject, and even
when IL is referred he expects that II Will
elicit from the committee only an indorse-
r,ent of the course Of the President in mob
,l,zine the troops along the Mexican frontier
The President Is pursuing the poncy OF
xee-ing the members Of the Foreign At
fairs committees Of both houses thorough
" posted regarding all the developments