Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-10
CRUISE OF THE CHESTER
EXCITES PUBLIC INTEREST
May Be Carrying Messages From
Taft to President Diaz.
DENIAL Is MADE BY JAPAN
Ambassador Declares His Govern
ment Has Not Sought to Secure
Foothold On the
Mexican Coast.

a good deal OF surprise was occa-
stoned today by the announcement that
Henry L. Wilson. United States ambas-
Is to return to his post at Mexico City
in about a fortnight
After visit to his invalid mother
at Charlottesville. Ind, it is tire am
bassador's intention. It is added. to re-
turn to the Mexican capital without
making another trip to Washington.
according to his present plans.
Cruise Of the Chester
Considerable significance is attached to
to ports on the east coast Of Mexico. Al
though strong naval force Is to be as
sembled along the coast Of Texas TO tho
south Of Galveston, the Chester is the
only naval vessel under orders to proceed
direct to a Mexican port
1t was learned today that the Chester.
after short stay at Tampico. will
continue along the Mexican coast and
visit in succession the ports OF Tuxpan
and Vera Cruz. The last named is
the principal port Of Mexico and u in
close railroad connection with Mexico
City. the capital of the republic.
In view Of that fact IT Is possible
that she may be carrying personal
messages from President Taft to Prssi-
dent Diaz, giving explicit information
regarding the policy of the United
States with respect to the Mexican sit
uation.
Regardless of whether the plans Of
the United States government are heine
executed at the Invitation or with the
consent Of the Mexican government, it
is positively declared that the Ches-
ter's mission is one of peace and should
cause no apprehension in Mexico.
Part Navy Is Playing.
1t was said at the Navy Department.
this afternoon that the navys particip4-
tion in the joint "maneuvers in prog.
ress along the Mexican border and con-
tiguous waters contemplates a sort OF
patrol OF the eastern coast OF Mexico. The
scout cruiser Chester and the gunboat Ia
coma are to sail along the coast, stopping
at two or three ports.
The Navy Department does not call the
movement a patrol; in fact. says the ves-
sells are to move under no orders Of such
a character and that they are merely
carrying out their part of the maneuvers.
Assistant Secretary Winthrop said today
that there was no significance in the al.
signment of the vessels to do this work.
The Tacoma sailed yesterday from
Puerto Cortez Honduras. She is to pro-
ceed to Galveston, stopping at one or
more Mexican ports en- route. The Choo.
ter is to arrive at Tampico tomorrow.
Advices at the Embassy.
Dispatches from the capital of Mex
leo received at the Mexican embassy
in this city today reaffirm the statement
that President Diaz is in good health.
Senior Don Francisco Leon de L.
Barra, ambassador from Mexico, In an
interview with a Star reporter reiter-
ated the assertion that Presidents Taft
and Diaz have reached a complete un-
derstanding, and that the southern re-
public had admitted the protecting
power of the United States.
Amba ssador de la Barra declared that
he had no information relative TO the re-
ported reconciliation between Gen. Reyes.
Mexico's exiled military leader, and
President Diaz. Gen. Reyes is now be-
lieved to be in France.
Mr. Dearing, charge d'affaires in Mex
leo City, has telegraphed the State De-
partment that he has been requested by
the foreign office to convey to the Presi-
dent of the United States an expression
OF President DiaZs appreciation of the
Presidents communication, which made
so clear an event which has given rise
to obviously erroneous conjecture at q
time when there exists nothing adverse
ly affecting the good relations of the two
countries"