The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-08
PRESIDENT SAYS WE ARE AT PEACE WITH
WORLD; EXPLAINS SITUATION IN MEXlCO
Urges Declares Mobilization Rio
Border Wa the Time


ing Mexican popular indignation
against many thousand Americans
now in Mexico and jeopardizing their
lives and property. The pressure Tor
general Intervention under such con-
ditions 1t might not be practicable to
resist. II II impossible to forsee or
reckon the consequences OF such a
course, and We must use the great
est self-restraint to avoid It Pending
my urgent representation to the
Mexican government, l cannot there
fore order the troops at Douglas to
cross tho border. but I must ask you
and the local authorities. in case the
same danger rscura. to direct the peo-
pie Of Douglas to place themselves
where bullets cannot reach them and
thus avoid casualty. am loath to
endanger Americans In Mexico, where
they are necessarily exposed. by TAX
Ing q radical step to prevent injury
to Americans on our side OF the bor-
der who can avoid 1t by a temporary
inconvenience.
! am glad to say that no further
invasion Of American rights Of any
substan tiai character occurred.
The presence Of q large military
and naval force available for prompt
action, near tho Mexican border.
proved to be most fortunate under
the somewhat trying conditions pre-
scented by this invasion OF American
rights. Had no movement thereto
fore taken place, and because or
these events 1t had been necessary
then to bring about the mobilization.
It must have had sinister significance.
On the other hand, the presence Of
the troops before and at the time Of
the unfortunate killing and wounding
OF American citizens at Douglas, made
clear that the restraint exercised by
our government In regard TO this oc-
currenca was not due to a lack OF
force,or power to deal with 1t prompt
~ and aggressively. but was due to a
real desire to use every means posi-
BILE 10 avoid direct Intervention In the
affairs OF our neiEhbor, whose friend
ship we valued and were most anxious
to retain.
The policy and action OF this gov
eminent were based upon an earnest
friendliness for the Mexican people
~ a whole. and It Is a matter Of
qualification to note that this attitude
Of strict imparttality AZ to all fac
tons IN Mexico. and of sincere friend
ship for the nelghboring nation, with
out regard for party allegiance. has
been generally recognized and has re-
suited In an even closer and more
sympathetic understanding between
the two republics and a warmer re-
gard one for the other. Action to
suppress violence and restore tran
guilty throughout the Mexican re-
| public was Of peculiar interest to this
government. In that 1t concerned the
safeguarding OF American life and
| property in that country. The gov
| ernment Of the United States had oc-
| CASTOR to accord permission for the
passage Of q body OF Mexican ruraIes
| through Douglas, Arisona. to Tia
Iuana, Mexico, for the suppression OF
general lawlessness, which had for
some time existed in the region of
| northern Lower California On May
rs. 1911. President Diaz resigned.
| Senior do la Barra was chosen pro-
visional President. Elections for
| President and ytce-President were
/, thereafter held throughout tho re-
| public. and Senior Francisco l. Maderc
| was formally declared elected on 90.
| tober Is to the chief magistracy. On
i November 8 President Madero entered
upon the duties OF his Office.
Since the Inauguration OF President
| Madero q plot has been unearthed
+. against the present government. to
| begin . new fnsurrection. Pursuing
| tho same consistent policy which
! the beginning II directed an investi-
| cation into the conspiracy charged
and this investigation has resulted In
| the indictment of General Bernardo
| Reyes and others. and the seizure Of
| a number Of of1cers and men and
| horses and accoutrements assembled
upon the soil OF Texas for the purpose
| Of invading Mexico. Similar pro-
! ceedings had been taken during tbs
| insurrection AGAINST the Dtax gov.
eminent resulting in the indictments
| and prosecution Of persons found to
| he engaged In violating the neutrality
laws OF the United States In aid OF
| that uprising.