The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-11
WATCHING MEXICO
President Taft Views Stu
alton With Apprehension.
DROP PRETfNSE OF WAR GAME
Army Officers Admit Massing OF
Troops in Texas is Due to Con-
ditions in Mexico and
Alarm For Diaz.
DROP PRfTfNSE OF WAR GAME

Washington, March 9.-The Mexican
situation has long been a source OF
worry to President Taft Knowing well
the physical condition Of President
Dlaz, he fears his death would mean
the necessity for armed American in
teryenton.
While the high army officers In
charge of the expedition OF 10000
troops to Texas are more silent than
ever the pretense that this is a mere
manouvcr has been practically drop
ned. Army officers do not longer con-
ceal the fact that the movement is
connected with the unsettled condition
in Mexico
The facts are that the government
has been receiving confidential infor-
nation as TO the gravity Of condi-
lions in Mexico from many sources.
Some of these have come from Sc
cret agents. 1t was learned that the
treasury officials have some interest
lnr Information OF their own as to the
situation. II confirms the belief that
the conditions are grave.
niaz has been utterly unable to cope
with. the situation. Good reason exists
for the belief that conditions in the
southern provinces are quite as bad
as in the north.
That President Taft and his advis-
ers perceive clearly the time may not
be far distant when American troops
viii have 10 cross the border TO pro
toct American and foreign interests Is
unquestioned. In the opinion OF many
they will remain, once they cross the
loider. In other words, It Will be
mu.h easier to get into Mexico than
10 get out of It.
The truth is the United States Is
confronted with a most menacing sit
aallan all along the southern border;
eo. merely are Mexican conditions
.rncy unsettled, but Cuban affalrs
are I'm a serious state. The financial
sltuati0n OF the Cuban government Is
going from bad 10 worse. graft is said
t. reign supreme, and. while there is
no revolution on. the situation is said
10 be such that this country may again
have to take q hand at any time.
How far Great Britain and other
foreign governments have gone In de-
manding protection of their interests
IS matter of dispute. II was officially
denied at the White House that there
had been any demand from foreign
sources.
Scouts Intervention.
The Mexican embassy issued a state
ment branding as preposterous re-
ports current that the Mexican gov
eminent was looking to the United
States for aid in regulating its inter
nal affairs. The statement follows:
"The insensate rumor that Mexico
had asked, or was going to ask. Amer
icau intervention to settle its own
internal affairs Is ridiculous. The re-
public has the means and the power,
and is supported by public opinion, to
enable il to suppress the insurrection.
This embassy afilrms categorically
that Blatt and Converse were taken
prisoners on Mexican territory and not
on American soil, as falsely has been
represented by the press"
The two prisoners referred to in
the statement are both Americans who
Joined the insurrectos operating along
the Rio Grande They we're captured
by Mexican federal troops and are
now in prison. 1t has been stated that
both men were taken after they had
crossed the boundary into the United
States.
Move Like cIoekwork.
kilograms are pouring into the
headquarters of the army showing
that the movement Of troops to the
southern frontier of the country is
with the smoothness and
regularity of clockwork. More than
one hundred kilograms already have
been received. and the celebrity with
which the orders have been carried
out, il is said in military quarters.
would give the impression that the
movement was an everyday occur
renee. Not a hitch has been encoun-
tered, and practically the entire force
of 10000 men Is now en- route to the
lower part of Texas and California.
The troops are equipped with ball
although it is the invari-
able practice to supply troops with
blank ammunition for practice exer-
cises or peaceful maneuvers. Notwith-
standing this. however, official Wash.
Ington still maintains that the move
ment is merely a plan Of practice to
determine the efficiency Of the fight
ing arms of the country in modelling
and concentrating on short notice.
While this Is held TO be true techni-
cally. the general impression prevails
that the sudden and extensive military
activity has a vital and direct relation
10 the revolutionary movement in
Mexico.
Nine pestroyers In San Diego Fleet.
Los Angeles. Cal, March 9.-The
arst division OF the Pacific coast feet,
by Rear Admiral Thomas,
received orders TO proceed immediate
" to San Diego. Nine torpedo boat
iestroyers sailed Tuesday night for
San Pedro harbor. while the cruisers
California, Pennsylvania and South
Dakota sailed yesterday.