The Washington times., 1911-04-15
Repetition of Douglas Epi-
sode Will Mean In
tervention.
RESTS WITH DIAZ
TO PREVENT STEP
Cabinet Members Anxiously Await
Further News From the
Mexican Border.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

through the Department of Justice, and
to have added that he did not take the
promises OF the revolutionists and the
federals too seriously.
One Senator, as he left the White
House, said:
while l do not think the President
is uneasy over the developments in this
Mexican affair, it is certain that he Is
concerned over them.
He feels, however, that his action in
sending the 20,Oo0 troops TO the Mexican
border has been absolutely justified by
later events, and can now point to the
fighting at Douglas, Ariz., as an in
stance where this Government needed
soldiers to protect Americans and Amer
ican property.
The obvious thing for us to do At
this time would be to send our troops
across the line and make the opposing
forces there understand that there was
TO be no more fighting. This cannot be
done, however, without raising grave
international complications and without
apparently plunging this country into
war"
President Waiting.
For the present, it appears, the Presi-
dent is waiting for results from his
communications to the Mexicans. He
will take no aggressive steps unless 1t
becomes absolutely necessary in order
to protect the lives of the American
people on the border.
At the State Department today it was
declared that the question Of demand
ing damages from the Mexican govern
ment in reparation for the killing and
wounding of Americans on United
States soil during the fight across the
line has not yet been taken up for con-
stderation.
Acting Secretary of State Wilson de-
clined to say whether any claim would
be presented.
The Diaz government has been in
formed of the facts In tn case, and 1t
is understood that the United States
has reserved its right to present claims
later.
With an anxiety which they made
little effort to conceal members of the
Cabinet today awaited further news
from the Mexican border. 1t is felt that
the Aqua Prieta incident has precipita-
ted crisis, requiring great self-re-
straint upon the part of the United
States.
The situation can be saved, it is
believed, only by the Diaz govern
ment The hopes of this Government
today rest upon the belief that the
Mexican President will prove equal to
the occasion, and take steps to pre-
vent the recurrence Of the Aqua
Prieta incident.
All the reports are that conditions are
growing steadily worse instead of bet
ter.
BY no means the least nrrinous symp-
tom is the landing of British marines
at San Quentin TO protect the town
against a threatened attack Of insur-
gents. This is Interpreted here as a
warning to the United States that it
IL H.
the situation If il wishes to avoid the
spectacle of European nations taking
forceful means to protect the lives and
property of their subjects.
Show Dangers.
1t is felt here that the landing Of
British marines brings out in a strong
light the dangers to which the Monroe
Doctrine is exposed by reason of the
growing power Of the revolutionists and
the seeming utter incapacity of the Diaz
government TO protect itself.
The greatest activity prevails at the
War Department 1t is more marked
than at any time since March Z. Lights
were burning there all night and officials
were at their desks until late this morn
ing. This activity followed the receipt
of the serious news from the border.
the protests Of American citizens along
the border demanding protection. and
the news of the landing of British
marines from the mar-of-war Sheer
water to protect San Quentin.
The various disquieting advices re-
suited in the calling of a conference at
the White House which was partici-
pated in by Acting Secretary of State
Wilson, Secretary of War Dickinson and
Attorney General Wickerghen-
Ready for Action.
The army is known to be ready for in
slant action. That powerful force
could be thrown across the border in
twenty-four hours and less is well un-
derstood in Washington. Every detail
of the plans has been perfected.
Not the least ominous phase OF the
situation is seen in the reports from
abroad, especially from London;
There, the Mexican situation is looked
on as grave. The London newspapers
make it clear that England places the
responsibility for keeping order in
Mexico on the United States, and that
only this, but it is plain that the view
abroad is that this country must be
prepared to accept the tremendous
responsibilities involved in the broad
Interpretation which has been given
the Monroe doctrine in more recent
years.
Is Justified.
President Taft today feels that his
action in sending troops to the Mexican
border is justified before the country by
the events near Douglas. The President
also believes that the news of the land
ing of a force of marines, with a ma
chine gun, at San Quentin, Lower Cali
fornia, will serve to demonstrate to the
public the demoralized condition of the
Mexican states, and also show how Sc
riously the situation is regarded by Eu-
ropean governments. The Administration
takes no offense at the landing of a
British force, and does not construe it
as any violation of the Monroe Doc
trine. 1t is more than likely that the
British and American forces will be
L.. IL. 49,