Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-09
AMBASSADOR PAYS CALL:
COMES AWAY SATISFIED
Denies Tale That President Diaz's
Health Is Alarming.
OTHER POWERS TOOK HAND
Informally Discussed Conditions In
Mexico With the American State
Department-Knox to Con-
tinue Trip.

The real significance of the sudden mo-
bilization of a quarter OF the United
States army and a formidable portion OF
the navy along the Mexican frontier and
in the waters adjacent to the ends Of
the international boundary is gradually
leaking out In Washington.
From various sources, yet without the
possibility Of official verifcation, credi-
BILE admissions have been obtained. which
pieced together in the light of known
facts. make up a whole that goes tar
to substantiate the Interpretation placed
by the public upon the great movement
OF military force now in progress.
1t is said that about the time of the re-
turn to Washington of Henry Lane Will
son, ambassador of the United States to
Mexico, the administration received ad-
vices indicating increasing unrest in
Mexico and that the revolution. notwith
standing assertions of the Mexican gov
ernment to the contrary, had extended
In many directions.
Anti-American Feeling Strong.
The whole country was said to be In
condition made the more serious b.
what was said to be a precsrious state
Of the health OF President Diaz There
Is known to be no little anti-Amertcan
feeling among the Mexican people gen
orally, and it was feared that develop
,lrxk& S~St
chaotic condition, with probable demon
strations against foreigners.
This alleged state of affairs. II Is Sad.
was discussed with deep concern at the
White House. with tho result that . svG-
gestion was made that 1t would be the
part Of forethought to concentrate near
the Mexican border q force sufficient 70
meet any situation which might ariss.
This movement was to take the form OF
maneuvers, and all parties to the plan
sincerely hoped that nothing else would
be necessary.
The Interpretation which was instant
ly placed upon the move by the news
papers and people of the country -
said to have disconnected the admin
istration, and the President and his ad-
visers hastened to relieve the tension
Of feeling In this country and in Mexico
by emphatic declarations of the HARM
less intent Of the movement
Maneuvers II will De, and maneuvers on
American soil exclusively. according to
this view OF the situation.
Meanwhile accurate information as to
the real state OF affairs in Mexico. as
pecially as to the health of President
Diaz, Is awaited in Washington with in
tense interest and no little concern.
Calls at White House.
The Mexican ambassador. Senior de la
Barra, today appeared to be fully salts
fed with the good intentions of the
United States. after a long conference
with President Taft at tho White
House. He said the President assured
him that the attitude Of this govern
ment continues to be friendly to Mex
leo as in the past
Senior Limantour, the Mexican minis
ter Of finance, with whom Senior de la
Barra has been consulting in New
York. will not see President Taft. who
leaves Washington this afternoon. He
will. however. see the acting Secretary
OF State should he come to Washing
ton.
1.-The President was very cordial in re-
ceiving me today said the ambassador.
as he was leaving tho White House. II
talked with him for some moments with
regard to the assembling OF troops on our
frontier. and he assured me that the
statement made TO my government and
published in Mexico City yesterday was
the sincere position Of the United States.
This was quite satisfactory. i am con-
WINGED that the friendly relations between
the United States and the government OF
Mexico are undisturbed. and will remain
throughout all this seeming
trouble.
There is no apprehension on the
part OF the Mexican government AS
to the object Of the United States in
mobilizing so many troops on our bor-
der. This I am able to say without
qualification. There have been many
reports sent out concerning
this disturbance and the activity OF
the American Army. I can say again
that my government is not concerned
further over the situation.
Declares Diaz's Health Good.
The ambassador was asked if the re-
ports concerning President Diaz's condi-
ton of health were true. He was told
that the aged president was reported to
be in extremis.
THAT is all a mistake" said the am
bassador. president Diaz is In excel
lent health and has been. He is quite
as strong as he has been for some years,
unable to keep his commanding place In
our government is an error"
The question Of the safety Of foreign
interests in Mexico arising from the dis
turbed condition Of affairs in that repub-
lie has been the subject OF informal dis
c,lssion by foreign nations with the gov
ernment Of the United States. That in
formation was ascertained from official
sources today, but it WAS added that the
discussions had been very indefinite and
did not reach the stage OF representa-
tions
IL is generally believed In Washington
that the Mexican government was ac-
uuainted with the intention Of the United
states to concentrate troops along the
frontier before the orders were issued BY
the War Department.
However that may be; It is generally
accepted that President Tafts communi-
cation TO President Diaz and his as ,
surance personally to Ambassador de Ia
Barra will dissipate any fears which
mixht have been entertained by the peo-
ole Of Mexico and serve as an emphatic
assurance that the movement Of troops Ii