The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-07

their lives. In my judgment radical
measures are needed to protect our in
nocent people, and if anything can be
done to stop the fighting at Aqua
Prieta the situation calls for such &C
ton. It is impossible to safeguard
the people of Douglas unless the town
be vacated Can anything be done to
relieve situation, now acute ?"
After a conference with the secre-
tary of state, the following telegram
was sent to Governor Sloan, on April
Is, 1911. and made public:
Your dispatch received. Have made
urgent demand upon Mexican govern
ment to issue instructions to prevent
firing across border by Mexican federal
troops, and am awaiting reply. Mean
time I have sent direct warning to the
Mexican and insurgent forces near
Douglas. I infer from your dispatch
that both parties attempt to heed the
warning, but that in the strain ana
exigency of the contest wild bullets
still find their way into Douglas. Inc
situation might justify me in ordering
our troops to cross the border and at
tempt 70 stop the fighting, or to hre
upon both combatants from the
American side. But if take this STEP
l must face the possibility of resistance
and greater bloodshed, and also the
danger of having our motives miscon-
strued and miSrepreSented, and or thus
infiaming Mexican popular indignation
against many thousand Americans now
IN Mexico and J6OQdrOlZlnS their 1HCo
and property. The pressure for general
Intervention under such conditions II
might not be practicable to resist. II
is impossible to foresee or reckon the
consequences of such a course, and we
must use the greatest Self-restralnt 10
avoid it. Pending my urgent represen-
tation to the Mexican government,
can not therefore order the troops at
Douglas to cross the border, but L
must ask YOU and the local authorities
in case the same danger recurs, to d.
rect the people of Douglas TO plac,9
themselves where bullets can not reach
them and thus avoid casualty am
loath to endanger Americans in Mex
leo. where they are necessarily expos
ed, by taking a radical step to prevent
injury to Americans on our side OF the
border who can avoid it by temper
airy inconvenience.
No Further InvasiOns.
1 am glad to say that no further IN
vasion of American rights of any sub
stantial character occurred
The presence of large military AMI
naval force available for prompt &C
ton. near the Mexican border, proven
to be most fortunate under the some
what irving conditions presented by
this invasion of American rights. HAN
no movement heretofore taken place,
and because of these events 1t had
been necessary then to bring about
the mobilization, it must have had
sinister significance. On the otner
hand the presence of the troops De
fore and at the time of the unfortU-
nate killing and wounding of Amert-
can citizens at Douglas, made clear
that the restraint exercised by our
gOvernmen t in regard to this occur
renee was not due to lack OF force
or power to deal with it promptly and
aggressively, but was due to a real
desire to use every means possible TO
avoid direct Intervention in the az
fairs of our neighbOr, whose FRIEND
shin we va Iued and were most anxious
to retain
The policy and action of this govern
ment were based upon an earnest
friendliness for the Mexican people rs
l whole and it is matter of gratlfl-
cation to note that this attitude of
strict impartiality as to all factions in
Mexico and of sincere friendship for
he neighboring nation, without regard
or party allegiance, has been generally |
recognized and has resulted in an
4ven closer and more sympathetic I'M |
Outstanding between the two repub- |
les and a warmer regard one for the |
)ther Action to suppress violence
and restore tranquility throughout the
Mexican republic was OF peculiar m
crest to this government, in that 1t
concerned the safeguarding of Amer1- |
IAN life and property in that country |
The government of the United states
lad occasion to accord permission for
he passage of a body of Mexican
InTOQRn
Juana, Mexico, for the suppression of
general lawlessness which had for
some time existed in the region OF
northern Lower California On May
rs 1911, President Diaz resigned |
Senior de la Barra was chosen provi- |
;ionaI president Elections for presi- |
lent and vice president were there |
after held throughout the republic.
and Senior Francisco I. Madero was
formally declared elected on October
l5 to the chief magistracy. On No
vember President Madero entered /
Upon the duties OF his Office.
A Plot Unearthed.
Since the Inauguration of President
Madero a plot has been unearthed
against the present government, to be-
gin new Instruction Pursuing the
same consistent policy which this ad-
has adopted from the be-
ginning, it directed an investigation into
the conspiracy charged, and this in
yestigation has resulted i'll the ind1ct-
ment of Gen Bernardo Reyes and Oth-
ers and the seizure OF NUMBER OF OF
dcers and men and horses and accou-
trernents assembled upon the soil or
Texas Or the purpose OF invading Mex
ico Similar proceedings had been Ia
ken during the insurrectiOn against the
Diaz government resulting in the IN
and prosecution of persons
found to be engaged in violating the
neutrality laws of the United states
in aid of that uprising
The record of this government in re-
snect Of the recognition Of constituted
authority in Mexico therefore is clear
Central America.
AS to the situation in Central Amer
lea I have taken occasion IN the past
To emphasize most strongly the i'm
portance that should be attributed to
he contamination of the conventions
between the republics of Nicaragua
ind Of Honduras and this country. and
7 again earnestly recommend that the |
necessary advice and consent of the !
senate be accorded to these treaties, !
which will make it possible for these
central American republics to enter
upon an era of genuine economic ma