St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1911-05-06
WARSHIPS IN READINESS.
Naval Vessels May be Used to Rescue
Americans.

Americans.
Washington, D. e., May 4.-Ame ri-
can warships from the Pacific feet,
now at San Diego, are being held in
readiness to proceed to Acapulco and
MaZatlan, on the west coast of Mexi-
co, where Americans are expected to
become refugees. The Navy Depart
ment is ready at moments notice to
communicate with Rear Admiral
Chauncey Thomas, in command of
the feet, upon word from the State
Department that rogue for Ameri-
cans is needed.
Developments in the next day or
two will probably decide whether
the ships are to be sent to these ports
despite the former protests of the
Mexican government against the pres
ence of American warships in Mexi-
can waters. 1t is felt that under the
circumstances Mexico will realize the
expediency of permitting the Ameri-
can Navy to take care of Ameri-
can citizens who might otherwise be
subjected to serious danger.
Senior Zamacona, the Mexican am
bassador, had a long talk with Mr..
Knox, secretary of state, at the State
Department to-day, over measures
which may become necessary in the
near future.
The Pacific fleet comprises the ar
mored cruisers California, the Mary
land, the South Dakota, the West
Virgiania, the Colorado and the
Pennsylvania The department es-
Inmates it would take about six days
for vessels of this fleet to reach
Acapulco and considerably less for
ships to reach Mazatlan. Rear Ad-
miral Thomas will send the ships
of the nay, if navy operations are
decided upon, as the situation is con-
sidered of such Importance that all
details must be handled direct from
Washington.
The probable necessity of aid from
the navy now brings the State De-
partment, the War Department and
the Navy Department all into the
Mexican melee in the government
work of looking to protect American
life and property.
The furry over Mexico in official
circles here was somewhat Gained
this morning by encouraging dis
patches from Henry Lane Wilson,
the American ambassador at Mexico
City, who telegraphed that Senior De
La Barra, the Mexican minister of
foreign affairs, expected peace ar
rangements between the Federals and
the followers of General Francisco
Madero, Jr., would be perfected to-
day. The dispatch was made public
at the White House. In another tele-
gram Mr.. Wilson said that. the Next
can government expected independent
negotiations in the States of Morales
and Guerrero.
The latter telegram had a more
business-like ring than the others as
the only solution which many officials
see now for restoring quiet in Mexico
IS to deal either by force or otherwise
with the separate bands. The hope
of ending the trouble by negotiating
a truce with General Madero has not
been looked upon seriously. 1t is
not the MaderO rebellion that lis
worrying officials so much as the
other outbreaks, especially those near
Mexico City, where the former Mexi-
can instructions have had their
origin.
1t is understood that the Mexican
Embassy feels the chief Importance
of arranging truce with General
Madero will be to permit the use of
the troops in other regions where
they are much needed.
Following the discouraging advices
of the last two days. Washington is
overrun with lawyers, representa-
tives and American investors who
are clamoring for protection of
roads. British, German and French
mines, ranches, refineries and rail-
interests are pressing their govern
ment to act. The talk in diplomatic
circles, especially among the military
attaches, is that Intervention by the
United States is inevitable
But against all this President Taft
and Secretary Knox are standing like
a stone wall. The yrealize what in
tervention means and are not pre-
pared to give it consideration while
matters can be handled by other
means. Naturally, foreign interests
would like to see the United States
step in and take the burden of pro-
tecting property in Mexico. This is
fully realized here. The desire for
protection has spurred
many persons having interests in
Mexico to communicate with the
White House or the State Department.
and picture the situation even worse
than the official reports make it.
President TAFT and Secretary Knox
have been asked if they will guaran-
tee to protect this and that mine or
some other business enterprise near
the border line. The president is
asked to promise that American
.rops will be sent to Mexico if such |
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