The Washington times., 1911-03-10
President Taft
Confirms Times
Exclusive News

Nearing out completely the contentious
Of The Times ever since last Monday
that the massing of troops on the Mexi-
can border is a great movement of
armed forces caused by the unsettled
conditions III Mexico and in preparation
for any eventuaiities there. disclosures
have been made by the Administration
that at last drop the mask and reveal
the truth.
President Taft himself, or his way
Southwark, dropped all pretense that
the mobilization of troops 10 the Mexi-
can border is a mere war game. 1t is,
in fact, a great military demonstration
such as this country has not seen since
the war with Spain in 1925.
Sent to Guard Interests.
The troops have been sent to guard
American interests in the Mexican re-
public. The Diaz government is in hard
straits. The Administration does not
say this directly, but it is necessary
corollary to what has happened. The
troops sent to the border will form a
Gordon along it to prevent supplies and
arms reaching the revolutionists. Thus,
the Diaz government will be bolstered
up But If the DiaZ government falls,
either through the death of Diaz or the
collapse of his regime, then the Ameri-
can forces may be ordered to cross the
Pho Granie. One element in the situa-
ton is the fear the frsUrrectioniSts may
form a government in Lower California,
ask recognition, and become Independent
of Mexico.
In addition to this, there is the in
ternational side to the situation. Repre-
sentations or intimations have come
that several Of the European govern
ments were sounding each other as to
the desirability of making representa-
tions to the United States. The quick
move for mobilization forestalled the
need for foreign governments to go so
far in this matter.
Protect Monroe Doctrine.
That the jealous disposition of some
of the foreign powers, notably Germany,
toward the Monroe doctrine, and the be-
lief of this Government that Germany
and perhaps other powers would try to
make an upheaval in Mexico the excuse
for trenching on the Monroe doctrine,
was one of the determining factors in
the Administrators action, is clear.
The aggressive note given out by the
many would guard her own interests
when found necessary. points III this di-
rection. But any attempt Of the German
government to convey the notion that
1t would take any hand in Mexican af-
fairs without consulting the United
States is looked on here as largely blum.
While there is a large international
side to the situation, the truth is that
American interests in Mexico, estimated
by some at a billion and half, consti-
tute the greatest factor in the decision
of this Government that anarchy is to
be prevented in Mexico at any cost. In
addition to this, there is the Panama
canal, now about to open, which would
he ENDANGERED by the continuance of
unstable conditions in Mexico.
The movement Of troops to the Rio
Grande is friendly to the Diaz govern
ment The troops Will for the present
form an army Of observation. Their ac-
tivities will be confined to the American
side of the boundary.
The grave question Is whether, even
with the aid of this Government against
the revolutionists, the DiaZ government
will be able to rehabilitate itself, and
Just what President Taft would con-
slider the necessary cause for ordering
a Mexican invasion.