The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
KNOX WILL G0 ID
 SOUTH AMERICA Will Try to Solve Diplomatic
 Problems TRIP OF FIVE WEEKS Havana Will Be Secrctary's First Stop-May Not Visit Mexico. Will Promote Friendly Rcla-
 tions in Central America
TRIP OF FIVE WEEKS

Washington, February 10-For the pur- pose of solving diplomatic pfobems and acquiring more accurate information as to conditions in Central America and northern South America, Secretary of State Knox, by direction of President Taft, will make a five weeks trip to the Spanish-American republics border ing the Carribean sea and the Gulf of Mexico.
 As now planned, Secretary Knox will not visit Mexico, but that country may be included in the programme before he returns during the first week in April
 Gives No Details
 Although the official announcement of the trip. made public al the White House late today, gave no details, it was made known that Havana. Cuba would be MT Knox's first stop and it was re- ported that in Cuba he might attempt 10 solve the problem that brought about threats Of American intervention there d few weeks ago.
 Aside from peace making expedition the purpose of the trip was announced to be the promotion of friendly relations in Central America In many respects it will be similar to that taken around South America several years ago by formef Secretary of state Elihu Root. The bens- fits of the Root trip American diplomats have rated high, and both the President and Mir. Knox hope for similar benefits from the coming visit, especially since the countries to which MT. ISnox will go
 
 secretaries of state.
 Official Announcement
 The oficia Announcement of the trip says:
 The relations of the United States to the Spanish republics Surrounding the Carribean sea and the Gulf of Mexico are of the utmost importance to us, In view of our interest and responsibilities In that region. The President thinks it will be of great assistance in solving the diplo- matic problems that are presenting them selves from day to day. if we manifest our friendly interest in those our neigh boring republics. by visit to them or the Secretary of State
 Ry creating the closer relations and &C., ouiring the more exact information that nust corne from such conference as he will he able to have in the capitols or those republics with the heads of their c.;yernments. he will enable our govern ment to deal with existing questions much more effectively, This will be inc first time that an American Secretary or State has visited these countries. z For that reason the President has dl- rected the Secretary of the Navy to put at the disposal of marksmen the cruiser Washington for the purpose of making the trip. Secretary Knox will leave from some point in Florida within the next two weeks and may be gone until the first week in April
 The rersonnei of Mr. Knoxs party was not announced tonight, but it was that amon, those who will accompany him were W. T. s. Doyle, chief of the Latin American bureau of the state depart ment. who went with Mir Root, and mil itary and naval aide designated by the war and navy departments. MT. Knox has announced he would leave Washing ton for Palm Beach early next week with Mrs. Knox and Hugh Knox. his son, who is also his private secretary. Both may go with him on the trip to the south
 Washington, February l0.-Prcsent plans include first d visit to Cuba, Santo Do- mH go and Harti, with a possible trip te Porto Rico and then tour of Ven ezunla and Colombia, after which the se cretary will visit Panama, Costa Rica. Nicaragua, Honduras. Salvador, Guate- mala and perhaps Mexico.