The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-03-21
TAFT GRASPS MEXICO TANGLE
REVIEWS THE FIELD AND SLOWS
DOWN BORDER ACTIVITY.

After Conferences With Cabinet ON.
GERS and Ambassador do 10 Barrs-
Rebel Envoy Disavows Llmantour.
WASHINGTON. March 2o.-President Taft
began TO get hrst hand information about
the situation in Mexico upon his return to
Washington to-day from his Southern
vacation. The President looked over re-
ports submitted by the State. War and
Navy Departments showing the extent
Of the maneuvres in Texas and along the
Mexican border and coast since tho first
troops and ships we're ordered south.
He had two conferences with Secretary
Of War Dickinson and ono with Major
Gen. Leonard Wood. Chief Of STAFF; short
talk with acting Secretary Of State Hunt
ington Wilson and a longer consultation
with Ambassador de Ia Barra Of Mexico.
No formal statement was issued by the
White House or by any Of those whom the
President called into consultation. Il il
known. however. that the President will
take up the Mexican situation with the
Cabinet at the regular meeting tomorrow.
Until to-day Mr.. Taft was partially in
the dark as to the movement OF troops
and the diplomatic negotiations that have
been conducted incident to the situation
In Mexico. These matters were handled
from Washington through the State and
War Departments. While the President
bad direct wire from his hotel in Augusta
to the White House here he used It but
little. devoting his time to rest and
recreation. From now on. however, the
President will keep his finger on the pulse
Of the situation. He will be consulted
about every move that is made on the
border aud he will take direct personal
interest in all negotiations.
That the President intends to keen
the situation on the border we'll in hand
is shown in one OF the developments Of
the day. An order was sent to Major
Gen. William H. Carter. in command at
San Antonio. directing him to notify the
War Department hereafter OF every
movement OF the troops twenty-four
hours in advance Of the time when such
movement is to be made. With this order
In effect the President will be in q posi-
ton to countermand any order Of the
commanding General In the field which
does not meet with his approval. WASH
ington also will be able to keep far bet-
ter posted than heretofore upon affairs
at the 'front.'
There were two explanations OF Ambas-
sador do II Barra's call on the President.
Tbs White House declared unoficially
that the Mexican Ambassador told the
President that his Government had noti-
fed him that MIR. Taft's communication,
made just before Mr.. Taft started for
Augusta, that the movement on the bor-
der was not hostile one. was reassuring
to President Diaz and his advisers. The
Ambassador himself said tonight that
the President had again made it clear that
the troops were sent south only to pre-
serve neutrality and that there was no
intention on the part of this country to
intervene between the insurrectos and
the Mexican Federalists.
The Ambassador said he had assured
the President that conditions were prao-
tically as they we're when the Chief Ex-
dor said that he and Mr.. Taft were both
well satisfied with the result of their
conference. The Ambassador denied that
the palace Of President Diaz in Mexico
city had been stoned. He said he UNDER
stood that no more troops are to be de-
spatched to the border from the point Of
mobilization at San Antonio.
The report Of the Navy Department
that the President examined to-day
showed that the armored cruisers of the
Pacific feet have been visiting at San
Diego. Cal. and the war vessels at GAL
weston. Tex. are awaiting the signal
to engage in the joint manpuvres. The
four gunboats sent To patrol the Mex
lean Gulf coast. tho report showed have
been withdrawn at the request OF Mexico.
The Tacoma has arrived at Galveston
from Puerto Cortes. Honduras. via Mex
lean ports. and the Chester has reached
Puerto Cortes from Pensacola. Fla.
after having gone out OF her course tO
stop at Vera Cruz and other Mexican
IUItb lHe TcEoTt SuOW5 hisO tHdt lil5
Yorktown was in Acapulco harbor yestsr-
day from San Diego and that she put
out Immediately for Panama. and that
the Princeton. which arrived on Satur-
day at Salina Cruz. sailed early yesterday
from San Diego.
Acting Secretary Wilson himself ex-
planned the report Of the State Depart
ment to the President. II contained
correspondence from the
agents in Mexico and
showed the political conditions in that
republic as they actually exist. These
reports will figure in the Cabinet session
tomorrow.
A report gained circulation here to-
night to the effect that Mexico. through
Senior de Ia Barra. has sounded this
with view to ascertaining
the United States could be
induced to withdraw the army from the
border. This proposition, it was said.
was touched upon at the conference
to day between the President and Am
bassador de la Barra. Doubt ia expressed
that this Government would disband
the army and send the various regiments
1t to their respective stations.
However. the belief prevails that the
order forwarded to Gen. Carter prohibit
ing any movement of the troops without