Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-06
To Keep Hands Off.

1T is the firm resolve to keep hands
off Intervention in the Mexican revolu
ton is as uncalled for as such interven-
ton would be under similar circumstances
in Brazil
ITO carry on an intervention for the
purpose of pacifying Mexico would bene-
fit this country in no way. 1t would
cost thousands of lives and millions OF
dollars, and its result won d be the unit
ing of warning factions in Mexico arrayed
against us in A guerrilla warfare that
would continue for years.
Hands Off must be the policy of this
country. as long as our interests are not
threatened, and both factions in Mexico
are pledged to leave American property
undiSturbed
Representative Focht Of Pennsylvania
is understood to be responsible for
starting the story which, published,
intimated that the War Department had
perfected its plans for calling together
great army of nearly a quarter of Il
million men and throwing them across
the Mexican border TO police the south
ern republic during the troublous days
which inevitably would follow on the
heels of armed intervention by the
United states. Mr.. Focht does not
claim to have the story at first hand.
He says. it is understood. that a mem
Der of the committee on military at
fairs told him that Gen. Wood made
this sensational statement.
Focht Reiterates Story.
Representative Focht at the White
that Intervention in Mexico by the
United States is inevita BILE He said
he had been told by member of the
House committee on military affairs
that Gen. Wood had informed that body
that 100000 troops would be necessary
to quell the uprising in the republic
across the Rio Grande.
Mr.. Focht said he felt sure that DiaZ s
administration would be overthrown
and that anarchy would prevail in
Mexico before the present Congress
now in session in this city would ad
journ. He referred To American inter
vention in Cuba, and said the United
States will be compelled to Ike a hand
in the affairs of Mexico and restore
peace at any cost.
This government must educate the
Mexican people, develop the country and
esta blish protectorate in the neighbor
ing republic. according to Mr. Eocht. lie
effect that officers of the United States
Army now engaged in the maneuvers in
Texas expect to be ordered across the
border.
A Hypothetical Question.
1t is believed that ali answer by Gen
Wood to a hypothetical question asked
him by a member Of the military affairs
committee started the report that in his
opinion intervention was certain, and was
n matter of the very near future.
Gen Wood was asked. il under
stood how many men il would take TO
police Mexico in the event that II be-
came necessary for the United States TO
intervene. aud he replied that in his opin-
ion il would take about the number men,
toned.
As a matter Of fact. Gen. Wood. in
talking informally with some members
when before the committee Thursday, said
that the prospect for peace i'll Mexico
was better at present than at any time
since the American army corps was sent
to the border.
Denial by Gen. Wood.
That there is now brigade of troops
at San Antonio; another at Galveston and
along the Mexican border: that in gen
eral the strife SENS to be dying away
along the border, and finally that though
the insurrectionary conditions in the in
terror of Mexico are very grave, he be-
lieyed that the prospect was bright for
an earlv peace was the substance Of the
statement made last Thursday by Gen.
Wood, to the House committee on mil
itary affairs.
Gen. Wood said today that he did not
discuss the possibility of Intervention,
but that his whole statement related
solely to the military conditions of the
American troops in the southwest The
was not in executive session