New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-12
FEAR ANARCHY IN MEXICO
Army Authorities Prepared to
Meet Any Emergency.

MCCt 61Ay 011SA B S~S
lFrom he Tribune Bureau
Washington, May 1.-THE situation IN
Mexico continues 10 be the cause OF grave
anxiety TO the army officers who are Oh
recting the military policy of the govern
ment in its relations TO the Southern re-
public. Advices received ir Washington DO
not in any degree allay this apprehension
which arises from the belief that the dis
orders in Mexico will increase rather thah
diminish and that the country can hardly
escape condition Of anarchy. 1t IL EVIL
dent according 10 information In the pos
session OF the State, War and Navy de-
partments, that the Diaz government can
not long continue. II the supporters OF
Diaz succeed In retaining control Il PROB
ably will be only by effectng a compromise
with the insurgent element. In any event.
il is hardly 10 be expected that tho situa-
ton WI be permanently pacific. The War
Department has acquired information from
its agents in Mexico In anticipation OF the
at present remote contingency OF interven-
ton Many OF the oflcisls hardly dare hope
to avoid such an emergency. although all
possible mean. are being taken 10 render
this course unnecessary, for no one
realizes more fully than do the army
officers themselves the great difficulty
which would beset military force sent
into Mexico
II is no longer secret that the War De
partment has outlined a plan which can be
carried out If the situation requires it. This
programme has been impaired TO the lead
ers in Congress. and is said 10 have re-
ccyed their tacit approval OF course,
there have been no conferences which an
ticipate Intervention or any military move
ment which requires the army 10 cross the
Mexican border. But the necessary pre-
cautions have been taken. the supplies
have been accumulated. the troops are held
In readiness for transfer. the medical de-
partment is on war footing hey ond any
Of the other branches Of the service. and
the President and the chief Of staff Of the
army are IN close touch with those who
! should know of the developments.
The conservative military opinion is In
clned 70 take the view that the Mexican
situation will drag along with alternate
periods OF disorder and prospects Of peace,
but with ultimate chaos. requiring inter
vention. While this is purely a guess the
merit OF which depends entirely on occur
| rences in the next few weeks or months
or perhaps IN the next year or tUo-there
is no getting away from the impression
held by army officer. that the Mexican
| situation will constitute an enduring men,
ace. with which the War Department must
continue TO be In position to deal
Oflcials were engrossed to-day In con-
| sdering questions of international law re-
lating 10 the rights of insurgents to secure
! food and other supplies from neutral ter
ritory; the extent 10 which the federal
authority can go IN controlling the ex-
portation Of arms and munitions Of war TO
Mexico. and what authority army officers
may legally exercise in restricting the
movements Of civilians and soldiers and
rebels on the border.
The State Department. instead Of making
an official declaration. indicated that the ad-
ministration of the neutrality laws reposed
in the Department of Justice, while eX-
portation of arms AMI supplies was up TO
the Treasury Department 10 decide The
War Department simply abided by IT'S
original orders 10 the military commanders
to enforce the neutrality laws as they un-
derstood them and If either the Treasury
or State departments chose 10 suggest any
change In the practice the War Depart
ment was READY 10 CollIoTIH 10 IL
Actually there was no real question be-
fore the departments after the legal adj
wiser Of the insursent agent here had been
told BY the Treasury Department that the
trade relations between FL Paso and Juarez
might proceed as heretofore Thus. at
least. food and merchandise might be car
ried across the line. according to the usual
practice. No attempt was made to decide
as TO admission OF arms, as that question
had not been raised. Probably II will not
be until an attempt is actually made to
carry an invoice of rifles and ammunition
through the American custom house The
conditions then will have an important
bearing or the Treasury decision. But II
is generally believed that In view of de-
cisions OF the United States courts, II arms
and ammunitions are shipped by regular
dealer in the United States TO another
regular dealer in Juarez. they must be per-
mitted to go through the FL Paso Custom
House, provided they are not consigned 10
an agent OF the insurgents ANY decision
as 10 importations into Juarez would apply
10 anv other Mexican border town the IN
surgents occupy.
1--WE shall Immediately appoint custom
house agents who will collect duties, and
for that purpose will inspect all merchan-
disc coming through ports in our posses
sion" said Jose Vassoncelos. the insurgent
representative, here tonight. ITO avoid
damage 70 public interests. we Will recog-
nize invoices signed by consuls OF the Diaz
government until our own consuls have
been appointed and take office. | expect
10 announce in a few days the names of
consuls and customs agents In this way
business transactions will go ahead, even
though we do not get formal recognition
of our officers. The fact that their SER
vices will have TO be utilized by all ship
pers will establish de facto situation that
probably will lead TO formal recognition by
foretrp royernnents"