New-York tribune., 1911-04-21
CONGRESS NOT TO NEEDLE
Senate Leaders Strongly Against
Intervention in Mexico.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau. J

Washington, April 2o.-That Congress Is
| In no mood to NEEDLE In the Mexican situa-
| ton was made clear to-day. when the
belligerent utterances Of Senator Stone. OF
Missouri. were emphaticaly disavowed as
a reflection of the sentiment Of the Senate
by such leaders as Senators Lodge. Root
| and Cullom, on the Republican side. ana
| Senator Bacon. on the Democratic side, all
Of whom are members OF the Committee
| on Foreign Relations
Senator Stone, although indorsing the ac-
ton Of President Taft in sending troops to
Texas and approving the course followed
by the administration with respect to af-
fairs in Mexico, took an extreme view Of
the wounding of American citizens in Doug
| las Ariz, as result OF the fighting at
Aqua Prieta.
The question: he said. "is now up to
| Congress. IL should at once and without
delay authorize the President to employ
whatever force may be necessary to pre-
vent a repetition of the bloody outrage
committed ut Douglas"
! In making this suggestion he said that
it represented only his individual opinion,
but despite this explanation Senator Bacon
and others promptly took occasion to make
clear that # was not the opinion OF the
| Senate.
For fear the impression might get
abroad that the opinion Of the Senator from
| Missouri reflects the attitude OF the SEN
| ate" said Mr.. Bacon. II desire 10 state
that do not share his view OF the situa-
ton. and do not think it is the sense OF
| this body that such action Is called for al
| this time"
| Senator Root was even more emphatic'
Granting that injuries have been done
American citizens" he said, after express
| ing his dissent from the views expressed
| by Senator Stone, which ought TO be re-
dressed. II does not follow that We are TO
begin the process by a threat or force.
That is to reverse the policy OF the United
States and to take a step backward IN 'he
path of civilization
He then pointed out that. even accept.
| ing the view Of the situation whlch hdu
been presented. peaceful negotiaiops snoui'
no undertaken to obtain redress Tor III
| iuries done American citizens, and tnat 'he
| adoption of the resolution suggested py
Senator Stone would be tsntamount 10
declaration of war and to preface dlpio'
matte demands with threat OF force
| eve should be actuated,' he said' py
svnnatbv with the people OF MEXICO III
their distress and a just sense OF the outies
that we owe to that friendly people ana 10
the peace Of the world"
This view was supported by eeha'o'
Lodge, who deprecated discussion OF 'ne
question for fear of msinterpretatioh'
"y-bep ,he President RENTS to Congress d
request for authority TO use force lie sa'u'
! "it may he understood that the last step
has beep taken and that diplomatic neuI-
DDS have failed. This procedure was ioi-
lowed before the beginning OF war VII"
Spain. There is no occasion lot grah'ins
such authority now. We have nothing Dut
the kindest feelings toward Mexico w
not say more at this time because d
said do not believe that the question:
should be discussed at all.
Senator Cu!lon, suggesting that sue"
questions should be taken up only III en-
ecutive session. then proposed mat 'ne
original resolution introduced By Senator
stone calling on the Committee on Foreign
Relations 10 investigate conditions In Mex
,co and report 10 the Senate be referred 10
.ha committee To this Senator Stone
readily assented. and the incident was
closed
tor Culberson, who introduced a resolution
20 the effect that it was the sense OF the
Senate that it is not the purpose OF the
United States TO intervene in the Mexican
situation. This resolution was likewise re-
ferred TO the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons, which is certain to take no action
Of any kind with reference to Mexico with
out consultation with the President.
thority should be sufficient fully TO warrant
him in using the military forces IN what
ever way he might deem expedient and nec-
essary to accomplish the desired end. even
though II should lead TO an intrusion on
Mexican territory.
Moreover if any act done under this
authority by the President for the proper
protection Of our own people on our own
soil should lead 10 hostile demonstrations
against American citizens resident in the
interior Of Mexico" he continued the
President should be authorized, either now
or later. 10 use the military forces Of the
United States. II that is found TO be nee
essary, to protect the lives and liberty OF
peaceable American citizens wherever DOM
!ciled in any quarter Of Mexico. II with
out fault OF ours the Mexican people them
selves create a condition that makes il nee
essarv for this government 10 assume an
offensive attitude. they cannot complain.
Mr.. Stone declared that the landing OF
British marines az San Quintin was not
necessary 10 enable the three men IN ques
ton tan Englishman and two Americans
seeking 70 escape the danger Zone) 10
board the vessel, and hence, il the marines
were landed merely 70 prevent Mexican
force attached 70 the revolutionary move
ment in Mexico taking possession of this
Mexican town, the act was arbitrary and. |
being hostile demonstration on Mexican
territory. was in effect an act of war II
authorized or approved by the British gov
ernment. 1t will be generally regarded
with sapproval by the American people.
Charging that some powerful interest was
behind the effort 10 stir up strife between
the United States and Japan. Senator Stone
said that every effort should be made TO
discover and expose the identity OF that
interest. He said the President had assured
him in the most positive terms that he
had no information whatever connecting
japan with Mexican affairs.