The Washington herald., 1912-03-31
MEXICAN AFFAIRS
GROWING WORSE
Continued from ras. one.

| of state and as q temporary executive,
and Il has been generally, understood
that he was sent TO Europe by Madero
and kept there to prevent a popular
demonstration In his favor.
De la Barra is not a revolutionist
nor an extreme conservative; he was
not a scientifco. although a faithful
follower of Diaz. When the Madero
revolution won. he announced that
| whatever might have been his SYM
\ pathies previous to that time, he felt
| II his duty to serve the government in
power. So. although he is not return
ing as a Madero supporter. nor as an
| tagonistic TO the government, reports
from Mexico indicate that he will prob
ably be hailed as the man of the hour.
Declarations have been repeatedly
made by President Taft and other au-
thorities that there is no intention on
the part of the administration to inter-
vene in Mexico.
United States Is Ready.
It is admitted in responsible quarters
that there has been no lack of vigil
ance on the part of this government,
nor any cessation of preparation in
order that the military may be able
promptly to cope with extreme emer-
| Eency. This accounts for the fact that
the entire army is still resting on Its
arms under War Department orders,
and that the euartermaster's Depart
ment is keeping in closest possible
touch with railroad and steamship
| companies so as to be able to move its
troops with the utmost dispatch II
called upon
The authorities are admittedly some
| what concerned over the publicity that
has been given to the shipment OF the
arms and ammunition for the American
colony in Mexico City. 1t had been
hoped that they could be delivered to the
American legation before the matter be-
came known, and thus obviate the pos
| sibility of interference on the part OF
either rebels or bands of outlaws. Presi-
dent Madero. in consenting 10 this ar
| rangement. agreed 10 provide a special
| train and guard OF soldiers for the ship
ment OF this material from Vera Cruz.
where 1t is to be landed the latter part
OF next week, TO the American Legation
| in Mexico City.
While the Washington authorities do
not anticipate that the rebel leaders will
| countenance any interference. It is feared
that these leaders have not sufficient
control over the men enlisted under their
banners. The possibility developed yes
terday that in case there was danger OF
interference and the Madero government
should not be able to ward it on. a guard
Of marines may be taken from one OF
the wRrships that are being retained in
the Caribbean for this purpose. Since
Madero has guaranteed the delivery OF
this material at its destination. he can
not oppose such action in case he fails.
Such a guard would not be sent for the
protection OF Americans in Mexico City.
but simply as an adjunct to the safe
delivery OF this material. and so in case
OF such an interference any objections
from any source that might be made to
the use OF marines would doubtless be
disregarded.
Is Government Property.
1t was for the express purpose OF max
ing sure Of this safe delivery OF the ma
terial that II was sent as property owned
by the American government, and con-
signed by the government to Its accred-
tied representative at the Mexican capt.
tai Not until the arms are delivered at
the legation will they be disposed of. and
then they will be sold and not loaned. and
each purchaser must present satisfac-
tory credentials TO his citizenship and
good standing. 1t is explained by the
State Department that these rif1es and
ammunition are restricted for use only
in places of business or private resi-
dences. and are not to be carried In the
streets or TO be used for purposes OF
maintaining order in the City OF Mexico.
The situation in Puebla and Vera Cruz,
where the Zapata forces are operating,
appears worse. and il is through this
country that the American arms will be
shipped. While the rifles are to be sold
at 81. . each, they could not be bought
in the open market for less than S25. and
since Madero has purchased all arms in
Mexico City, they are not obtainable
there at any price With the American
frontier closed to shipment of war ma
terial. the rebels are having difficulty
obtaining IT, II is understood that both
rebels and federals are now endeavoring
10 get war supplies by sea from Canada
Attraction for Outlaws.
The actual cash value of this ship
nIent, at the rate to be charged the
Americans. is more than 10000 and might
be held to be worth several times that
much to the rebels. Even outlaws might |
figure on making a handsome sum. II
they got hold of this material, for sale |
to the rebels.
Yesterdays reports show the situation |
TO be most serious in Mexido City. The |
reports are meager, the various tele-
graph lines having been cut In fact. |
means of communication have been de- |
stroyed to the south and practically all |
through the north, and the censorship of \
the press Is very severe. Ambassador |
Wilson was directed TO make inquiry Of |
the Mexican government. asking for just |
causes for the suppression Of the Span |
ish edition OF the Mexican Herald by the |
federal police yesterday. This paper is |
published by AN American corporation.
There was no reliable news concerning |
the situation at Torreon, to which point |
the federals have retreated. after numer- |
Gus defeats. All reports were indirect. |
One from Mexico City said that Torreon !
had fallen without risisance, and an
other from Nueva Laredo. on the Amer |
ican border. stating that the federals are /
making a desperate stand and are for
tifylng the city.
Bands of rebels are approaching Salt
lilo. Coahuila, with threats Of taking the
city. and the citizens are badly fright
ened. The reverses Of the federals in the
north are understood TO have inspired !
minor disorders in the state of San Luis
PotosI.
new menace to the general situation
is an ultimatum which has been present.
ed to the National Railways of Mexico
by the American conductors and engi-
neers employed by that company. de-
increased wages, owing TO the
dangers of operating trains over tracks
which are being repeatedly torn up and