Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-18

President Deeply Concerned
Over Situation on Border
President Taft made no attempt yester-
day and last night to conceal the fact
that he was deeply concerned over tho
situation on the Mexican border. He
talked with SECRETARY Knox in the after
noon, and last night he had a conference
with Ambassador Bryce Of Great Britain.
The official explanation Of Mr.. Bryce S
visit was that he came to talk about the
proposed arbitration treaty between the
United States and Great Britain.
1t is practically certain, however. that
Mexico figured In the conversation. 1t Is
believed that the ambassador explained
10 Mr.. Taft the landing OF the British
marines at San Quintin. Mexico, last
week. He was able to tell the President
that the landing was only after Amer
icans-and 1t was explained that Amsri-
cans came first-and British subjects
asked for protection that the British ves-
sci OF war put the marines ashore.
No Joint Intervention.
In connection with Mr.. Bryc's visit a
digestion that there might be joint in
tervention In Mexico by the United States
and England was discredited. 1t was point
w OuS thot dNy SuCA JOlHt iHtcTNcutlOu
would be construed as an acknowledge
inent by 0he United States that this ma
ton Is unable to handle the situation,
and that 1t would be almost an abandon
Hlent Of the Monroe doctrine.
President Taft has told callers that he
Goes not contemplate sending a special
message to Congress relating to the con-
dition OF affairs In Mexico. He has
shown to leaders Of both the Senate and
House the confidential correspondence
dealing with Mexico. He feels that few,
II any. of those who have been taken into
mis- confidence have failed to agree with
him that the movement of troops to Tex
as was justified. He thinks that since
tbs leaders In Congress have practically
All the information he has, it is their
duty to take any further action. The
President himself has let ii be known
that no United States troops would cross
and Secretary of War Dickinson con-
iirmed that statement last night.
Arizona's Appeal to Taft.
The following message from Gov Sloan
Of Arizona. dated at Douglas at 1921
o'clock last night, was received at the
White House:
The President, WASHINGTON:
las a result of today's fighting across
the international line. but within gun
shot range OF the heart OF Douglas, five
Americans were wounded on this side of
the line Everything points to repetition
Of these casualties tomorrow, and, while
the federsls seem disposed to keep their
agreement not to fire into Douglas, the
position Of the insurrectionists Is such
that when fighting occurs on the east
and southeast of the intrenchments peo-
pie living in Douglas are put In danger
Of their lives.
needed TO protect our innocent people,
and If anything can be done to stop the
fighting al Aqua I'rieta the situation calls
for such action. 1t Is impossible to safe
towns can be vacated. Can anything be
done to relieve the situation. which is
now acute?
RICHARD z SLOAN.
Governor
No Troops to Cross Line.
The reply Of the President, promptly
transmitted. read:
ITO Gov. Sloan. Douglas, ARR:
Your dispatch received. Have made UP.
gent demands upon Mexican government
to issue instructions to prevent firing
across border by Mexican federal troops
and am awaiting reply. Meantime. have
sent direct warning to the Mexicans and
insurgent forces near Douglas.
Il infer from your dispatch that bott
parties attempt to heed the warning, but
that IN the strained situation and ext
gencies Of the contest wild bu.iets still
find their way into Douglas. The situa-
ton might justify me in ordering our
troops to cross the border and attempt to
stop the fighting. or to fire upon both
combatants from the American side. Blu,
IL take this step I must face the pos
sibility OF resistance and greater blood
shed. and also the danger Of having ouI
motives miscOnstrued and misrepresented
and of thus infiamtng Mexican popular
indignation against many thousands OF
Americans now in Mexico. and jeopardiz.
ing their lives and property.
The pressure for general Intervention
under such conditions II might not b,
practicable to resist. It is impossible Il
foresee or reckon the consciousness OF
such a course, and We must use the great
est self-restraint to avoid 1t.
Pending my urgent representations q
the Mexican government. I cannot there
FORE order the troops at Douglas to eros!
1.-THE border. but / must ask you and thu
local authorities, in case the same dange
seems to threaten, to direct the people O.
Douglas TO place themselves where bull
lets cannot reach them. and thus avoit
casualties. i am loath to endanger Amer
leans in Mexico. where they are necessar
lily. exposed. by taking a radical step Il
prevent injury to Americans on our sid,
OF the border who can avoid IL by q tenn
Dgsry inconvenience.
WILLIAM H. TAFT"