New-York tribune., 1912-02-06
SITUATION IN MEXICO
SERIOUS, IN TAFT'S VIEW
Four More BattaIionS Ordered
to Rio Grande Country
Seething with Intrigue.
ALL u. S. ARMY HELD READY
No Evidence to Hand in Wash
ington to Show That Madero
Government Can Cope
with Situation.
ALL u. S. ARMY HELD READY
rFrom The Tribune Bureau


Washington, Feb. 5.-Following a con-
sideration of the situation in Mexico by
the President to-day. the Secretary OF
War ordered the immediate dispatch Of
two battalions each Of infantry and field
artillery TO FL Paso to augment the force
OF troops already patrolling the Mexican
border and issued notice TO the entire
mobile army I'm the United States-ap-
proximately 10000 men-to hold them
selves I'm readiness 10 move at an hours
notice. General Duncan, commanding
the Department Of Texas. with head
quarters at Fort Sam Houston, was also
directed TO send goodly force TO the
border its distribution to be arranged
by him. Aside from about 600 soldiers
already at Fort Bliss. FL Paso and other
points along the Rio Grande, General
Duncan has approximately five regiments
OF infantry, cavalry and field artillery.
with total Of more than 1900 men.
General Duncan was instructed TO act
on his own judgment as to remaining
temporarily at Fort sam Houston or
proceeding at once 10 FL Paso and as
suming command there
Situation Appears Alarming.
This action is based upon reports re-
ceived by the State Department and by
the President from American officials
and prominent American citizens in vari-
Gus parts OF Mexico showing that the
disorder Is not confined TO Juarez and the
State OF Chihuahua, but that the entire
ton is seething with revolution, in
trigue and general defiance OF govern
ment and law. Such conditions can only
lead TO general rlotng and anarchy, and
there is no evidence at hand TO show thac
the Madero government is capable OF
coping with the situation. The situation
appears even more alarming than at any
time during the last revolution, when /
Madero overthrow the Diaz regime.
President Taft is determined that the /
thousands OF Americans scattered |.
throughout .exico, in mining and other |
and that American investments. |
representing vast sums. shall be pro-
tected. President Madero has given as |
surance that every protection is being |
and will continue to be given. But with |
an army that is in no fighting condition,
with the soldiers deserting the ranks
and with the growth of a feeling among |
the more ignorant against the American
government. which, they believe, helped !
to elect Madero, the situation is omi-
nous.
John Hays Hammond, who was Specia,
I AMBASSADOR 10 the coronation of King
George OF England, is expected TO give
the President a valuable personal report
on the situation. Mr.. Hammond has
been In Mexico for the last ten days
looking after his mining interests there,
and is expected to reach Tucson. Ariz.,
to- night
Hammond to Make Report.
A message was sent 10 Mr.. Hammond
tonight asking him to give detailed
-erort Of conditions as he saw them. 1t
s probable he will be asked to remain
1t Tucson or some point near the bor-
Ter for a few days so as to be avail
able to make further investigation
about Juarez, II necessary. and pos
,ibly a Journey to Mexico City. 1t Is
not believed he will be sent as Ambas-
ga dor to Madero, however, as IL is real
zed that the Madero government Is al
.eady doing everything In It's power to
suppress the revolution.
The opinion was freely expressed in
lrmy circles to-day that troops would
not be sent to the frontier a second time
merely to halt and witness Mexicans fir
ng into the United States. Just what
policy Is to be followed. however, has not
been disclosed. but the President has +,
made il known that he does not propose
In waste time or indulge in diplomatic
when Americans and
heir property on either side of the in
ternational border are In jeopardy.
The troops ordered to-day to proceed
IN F,l Paso are the 1st battalion and
machine gun platoon of the 10th In
'antrv. Major George d. Moore In COM
,,ard. the Sd battalion OF the 4th In
fantry. Major Marcus ID. Cronin in COM
pand and batteries A, Il, C, L and r, OF
continued ON second page.
orwEv.s SUPERIOR PORT WINE