The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-03-17
Abolishinq Patrol Kept Mexico
From Declaring War On Us
VICTORY FOR THE MENCANs
Diaz Would Have Been Forced to
Resort to Hostilities to Preserve
Self Ilespect--United States and
Mexico Two Days ON Verge Of War.
Concession on Uncle Sans Part.

a
Washington. March ls.--That the
United States and Mexico we're for
two days on the verge of war, and
that that grayest eventuality was
avoided by the action of the United
States in yielding to insistent pro-
tests Of Mexico, is today's interpreta-
tion OF the diplomatic deiicaeies that
have only thinIy veiled frank con-
iesslon of the whole situation.
The state department In Washing
ton has made concessions enough 70
mollify Mexico for the present. and
preserve the self-respect of that gov
ernmentt
II was not the sending of troops TO
the Rio Grande which caused the
Mexican protests; it was the order
ing OF American naval vessels TO
establish a Gordon along the Mexican
coast, which in three hours time
could have been changed into a
blockade.
Against such an infraetion of dip
lomatic proprleties. Mexico made q
protest which is declared to have
brought the two countries In sight
OF hostilities. Mexico. II is true, il
in no shape to fight the United
states, but there are some conditions
which no nation may brook without
resort to the last resource Of SOW
ereignty. Mexico was brought to
that point. She protested in terms
which could not be mistaken: and
the United States yielded.
Diplomatic Victory for Mexicans.
The diplomatic victory is at this
time with the Mexican foreign once
Temporarily relieved. however. tho
strain may be applied again at ans
time. President Taft reasserts. ac
cording 10 Augusta dispatches to
day. his earlier statement that ths
troops may become an army Of IN
gaslon. lie has all along intimated
that such a step would be taken only
as a means TO help sustain the Dia.
government
But the Diaz government does MOI
fancy that sort of expressions Il
does not admit its incapaoity 10 sus
tain itself. Its diplomatic agents II
the United State shave fatty declared
THAT Intervention is war Thus
far, they have been able to prevent
the United States committing any
overt act, but taey did this only b.
practically sending an ultImatum I,
Washington that the naval eordoi
must not be formed along the Mexi
can coasts.
Meanwhile Gen. Leonard Wood
chief OF stan. declares today tina
while no more troops are 20 be sen
TO the border, plans are perfeetes
for sending the entire army there /
need be. The plans have been read
for four years.
Governments Explanation.
That the Washington government
oyerreached itself and all the limita
tlons OF diplomatic propriety in or
derlng the navy 20 patrol the coast
OF Mexico. Is the explanation toda.
Of It's sudden change OF front II
this regard.
Let me draw you parallel. sal,
a member OF the United States sen
ate this afternoon. who is preparing
To demand administration expiana
tion OF Mexican policy. IF. durinl
the civil war Great Britain hal
planted on the Canadian border a
Iarmy larger than that Of the union
and II on top Of that he had place
hes war vessels in all our ports--tha
would have been a parallel 70 wha
this country undertook 10 do. {
Mexico. How long would war hav
been STAYED on IN that case?'
il This statement suggests the line o
Interpolation that will BE- rnauEu
rated a. soon a. congress meets
Public men are informing thcmselye
about the financial relations Of grca
American banking houses In Mckee
and some or the most sensations
! Accusations ever lodged against a
administration VIII be aired from tn
floors or both houses before the eNtr
session il far advanced.
Apparently. the administration
I Withdrawing from q difficult situs
tion because OF the discovery tha
neither public opinion In this con-
TRY nor diplomatic preccdents vi
: ustain it IN the extreme position firl