New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-07

MINISTRATI0N INDIGNANT
Officials Bitterly Denounce Sto-
ries Calculated to Work Mis-
chief-President Taft's
Policy Unchanged.

Washington. May 6-Stories printed
to- day to the effect that General Leonard
Wood. chief of staff of the army. at an
informal gathering of members of the
House Committee on Military Affairs on
Thursday expressed the opinion that in
terventIOn in Mexico was inevitable and
that it would take 100000 American
troops 10 patrol the troubled republic
caused great indignation in adminstra-
tion circles.
General Wood himself and Secretary
Dickinson We're particularly bitter in de-
nouncing the circulation of stories Of in
tervention at this time. declaring that
they considered them calculated To work
infinite mischief. TO endanger the lives OF
Americans in Mexico by inhaming the
natives to murderous assaults. and even
To plunge the two countries into war 1T
is like poisoning a we'll" said General
more emphatic
Official denials came from a number
of sources. and care was taken 10 eX.
press anew the ministration's position
that intervention is most remote pos
sibility one of President Tafts callers
too day Went SO far as To quote the Pres
ident as saying that blood would have
To- be so deep in Mexico that a man could
wade through it" before the American
army would cross the border. This has
been reported to be the Presidents posi-
tion throughout the Mexican troubles,
and again was generally accepted as
such O-day.
A Question for Congress.
Through all the conflicting reports as
30 the American attitude to-day there
stood out the fact that intervention in
Mexico can come only through the ac-
ticn of Congress This fact served TO
maintain placdity at the Capitol Pres
ident Taft. conscious of the constitution
al restrictions as TO inv lading "A foreign
country and thereby committing an act
of war. has time and again made the
declaration that he would lay the whole
subject before Congress if the time
should ever come for Intervention by
this country. and the responsibility for
action would be placed s4uarely on Con-
gress
Leaders i'm Congress are Of. the same
opinion as the President as To interven-
lion. and the situation in Mexico would
have ~ reach an extremely desperate
Gored across the line.
The fight is Mexico's and the United
states proposes 20 keep hands off unless
unwarrantel outrages should be com
,nitted Oh Americans and other foreign
Interests.
The suspension of the armistlcc IN Mex-
leo and even the active resumption Of
hostilties by the insurgent forces will
cause absolutely no change in the deter
mination of the United States TO refrain
from Intervention. The President is "as
firm as a rock in his purpose to live up
to the obligations of neutrality. and even
the killing Of Americans. provided II
were an incident of warfare. would not
be regarded as suricltnt grounu lof u
single American soldier to cross the in
ternational boundary arms in hand
Caution to Army Officers.
This statement was made to-day with
out reservation by the highest authority
next TO the President himself. and un-
doubtedly reflects the Presidents policy.
He insists on absolutely technical ad
herence TO the instructions already given
To the American military commanders
on the border TO keep their soldiers
north of the line. Therefore General
Wood. chief of staff, has again eau
toned the army officers to use civilian
messengers in case they lind il neces-
Confined On secand pasa