The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-29
WHY TAFT MOVED THE TROOPS
JEtRED ANARCHY AND ANTI.
iWERICiNISM ~ MEXI(O.
Motives ~ the President Rcyealc,, In
Republicans on senate Foreign Al.
fairs Committee Limit Of ii,s Power
Rcached Congress Must Now Direct.

WASHINGTON. March 2s.-President
Taft has taken Republican members of
the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
into his confidence in regard to the situa-
ton in Mexico. He has laid before them
Informally the information which led to
,bc sending of 10000 troops to the border.
these members, with the evidence be-
io'c them. believe that Mr.. Taft was
justified in his action. They have no
d,rh, that the President if Congress de-
mands information on this subject can
seni IN an answer which will cut the
ground from beneath his critics feet
aud show that he ould have been derelict
IN his duty il he had failed to order the
troops to Texas.
The general character of the reports
which the State and War departments
had received on conditions in Mexico
~ been gradually leaking out for several
days. Now that President Taft has dis
olcsed the reports to members of the
S-nate there is no longer any doubt of
the alarming situation that confronted
this Government when the order for the
Texas manPuvres was issued.
Official information was received by
'hls Government that Mexico was on
the verge of widespread rev oluton.
The republic was described as volcano
ready to erupt at any moment. throwing
the country into anarchy and leopard
ling hundreds of millions of dollars
worth of American property and many
American lives. Grave doubt was ex-
pressed as to the ability of the Diaz Gov.
ernment to withstand the shock.
The we'll known existence OF a strong
widespread anti-American feeling in Mex
leo added to the seriousness of these
rports. and President Taft when they
were laid before him found himself in a
position where he would be Obliged either
to accept the official reports and act
quickly or ignore them and assume re-
sponsibility for the serious results that
might follow through inactivity. He
chose the former course and a few hours
later one-quarter of the regular army
was headed toward the Mexican frontier
With the troops under way tho Presi-
dent was Immediately confronted with
the embarrassing situation OF not being
able to take the country into his conf
dence and officially disclose the real
reasons which had led to the military
demonstration. To have publicly dis
cuesed the situation in Mexico would not
only have been taken as an affront by
the Diaz Government. but would also
s<,I l.E~ 81. Il, q.
own purpose by encouraging the revo-
utonary uprisings across the border
The Presidents lips have thus been
sealed as to the real purpose Of the move
ment of troops except in so far as he has
communicated it to his advisers and the
members Of the Senate Foreign Affairs
Committee.
Members of the Senate who have been
'aken into Mr. Taft's confidence declare
hat the developments Of the last week
notably the resignation OF the entire Da7
Cabinet, have justified the alarming view
which the Presiden. and other United
states authorities took of the Mexican
situation. Senior Jose Y. Limantour. the
Mexican Minister OF Finance, it is known
was astounded at the inNammatory con
ditions that he found upon his return to
Mexico.
The President and his advisers are
Inclined now to take a more hopeful view
of the situation. Reports received from
United States officials in Mexico give
reason for some confidence, although
is acknowledged that it is still early
10 determine exactly what the effec
will be Of the concessions which have beer
made by the Diaz Government in Cabinet
changes and proposed legislative reforms
Another factor which led to the sending
Of the troops to the frontier was the fac,
that the Mexican Government had with
drawn most OF her army from the south
and north to the central part Of the coun
Try to protect Mexico city. Efforts were
made in vain by this Government to ge
adequate protection from Mexican troop,
Tor The big Colorado River dam beinl
constructed on Mexican territory under
the direction of this Government.
Aside from the official reports man,
occurrences have indicated conclusivel,
he dangerous strength Of tn e anti-Amer
can feeling in Mexico. The action OF tn,
Dlaz Government itself on several occa
Sons had shown this clearly enough
lhe privilege extended to this country o
holding target practice in Magdalent
Bay was with drawn as a concession tc
this feeling. 1t was learned to-day tha
the Mexican Government not only re
fused to allow any American soldiers oI
Mexican soil to protect the Colorad,
River dam but declined even to consen
bhavng the dam built by this Govern
ment
lhs United States to satisfy the anti
American feeling in Mexico had to g
through the form of organizing a Mexican
company to construct this work. II wa
occurrences like these which led tn
President and his advisers doubly to fea
tne results Of reign Of anarchy il
Ms,ico.
Among the members OF the Foreigr
Relations Committee who called at tn
White House to-day were Senator Cul
lom. chairman OF the committee. an
senator's Lodge and William A. Sinit
ot Michigan. 1t was not formal con
terence. but the President is maxim
u point to discuss the Mexican situa
ton with members of this committe
ssthey happen to drop in at the Excutiv
Offices.
senator Smith. while declining to dis
'1'Sthe Mexican situation for publication