The Sentinel=record., 1911-05-07
i. 5. KEEPS
HANDS OFF
PRESIDENT SAYS THERE WILL
BE NO INTERVENTION IN THE
MEXICAN AFFAIR.
Makes Plain His Purpose to Observe
Strict Neutrality Even Though
Americans Are Killed in
Warfare.

Washington, May 6.-The suspen-
sion of the armistice between the
Mexicans and even the active resump-
tion of hostilties on wholesale
scale has resulted in tho determine
ton of the United States to refrain
from intervention in Mexico.
The resident is firm in his purpose
TO live up to the obligations of neu-
trality and even the killing of Amer
leans, provided it We're an incident
of warfare would not be regarded as
sufficient ground for single Amer
lean soldier to cross the international.
boundary arms in hand
This statement was made today by
the highest authority, next to the
president himself, and reflects the
presidents policy. He insists on tech
nical adherence to the instructions
already given to the American mill
tary commanders on the border to
keep the soldiers north of the line
Therefore General Wood, chief OF
staff, has again cautioned the army
officers to use civilian messengers in
case they find it necessary to com.
municate with the federals or insur-
rectos on Mexican soil.
Notwithstanding a feeling of tenn
porary depression caused by the re
ceipt of newspaper dispatches to the
effect that Madero has terminated the
armistice that has held the two forces
in check, for more than week, the
Washington officials are hopeful the
peace negotiations will not be perma-
nently interrupted and eventually
they will result successfully.
Some color for this renewed hope
was found in telegram received by
the state department from one Of its
agents in Mexico, stating that a per-
sistent rumor was in circulation there
that President Diaz, while not pre-
pared to abdicate at once, had signi-
fed to his intimate friends his will
lingness to fix date for his resig-
nation.
1t is felt here that the Madero party
could scarcely afford to renew the
strife If President Diaz We're willing
to make this concession, even though
1T did not completely meet their de-
mands for his immediate resignation
Stories printed today 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 Thurs
day, expressed the opinion that inter-
yention in Mexico would be inevita-
bile and that it would take 100000
American troops to patrol the trou-
bled republic. brought no little
chagrin to administration circles.
Official denials were put out from
a number of sources and care was
taken to express anew the admlnistra-
|tion's position that intervention is a
most remote possibility.
One of President Taft's callers to-
day Went so far as to quote the presi-
dent as saying that "bo ood would have
to be SO deep in Mexico that man
could wade through it." before the
American army would cross the bor-
der. This has been reported to have
been the presidents position through
out the Mexican troubles and again
was generally accepted as such today.
Members of congress were inclined to
the belief that the reported utter
ances of General Wood were to be
taken as that officers personal view
that Intervention was inevitable.
General Wood himself and Secretary
of War Dickinson were particular y
bitter in denouncing the circulation Of
stories of Intervention at this time
1T is like poisoning we'll" Cen
eral Wood said.
Secretary Dickinson was even more
emphatic.
Through all Of the conflicting re-
ports as to the American attitude to-
day there stood out the fact that in
Itervention in Mexico can come only
through the action OF congress. Com
gress leaders, it can be stated are
of the same opinion Of the president
as to Intervention.
Todays happenings brought out
fresh rumors that friction exists be-
tween the war and state departments
lover the handling of affairs connected