The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-12-20
Ambassador Wilson Leaves To-
day Bearing the Message.
AT WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE
This Action of the Government
Was Decided Upon.
Foreign Countries Have Called
Attention to Situation.

Washington, Dec. 20.-Aroused by
the attacks upon American lives and
property in Mexico as a result of the
revolution there, President Taft de-
voted most of the day before his de-
parture for Panama to conferences
concerning the situation the result Of
which was that Henry Lane Wilson,
the American ambassador to the -1ex-
lean capital, leaves here today with a
demand that Mexico take prompt ac-
tion to put an end to the existing un-
rest The demand was framed at con-
ferences both in the White House and
at a cabinet dinner given to the presi-
dent in the evening by Secretary of
State Knox Officials who were par
ties to the conferences denied that
the demand could be considered as an
ultimatum. Aside from this decIara-
ton they declined to discuss the gov
ernment's action further
While the state department main
tained sphynx-lilSe silence it is gem
orally understood that foreign govern
ments have made representations con-
corning the destruction of the prop
erty of their citizens in Mexico and
the jeopardy in which those citizens
are placed.
Only a short time ago the state de-
partment addressed a note to the
Mexican government through Ameri-
can Ambassador Wilson, the reply to
which was said at the time not to be
completely satisfactory. This Is be-
lieved to have inspired in a great
measure the action by President Taft
and his advisers.
Ambassador Wilson was present at
all the conferences and will leave for
New York today on his way to Mexico.
Much Evidence on Hand.
The determination of the adminis-
tration to adopt a sitter policy toward
Mexico as disclosed in the announce
nf he
representation to that government re-
garding the continuation of the rebel
lion is directly attributed to the re-
cent return to Washington of several
persons thoroughly cognizant of the
alleged evil conditions existing south
of the border.
First was Henry Lane Wilson. the
American ambassador to Mexico. who
has been in close touch with every
one of the American consular officers
in the disturbed districts. and who Is
also personally aware of the attitude
large number of American claims pre-
sented as a result of the depredations
committed by rebels.
Then there have come forward the
three members of the self-constituted
committee of Americans representing
the large plantation and mining inter-
ests in northern Mexico who from per-
the state department of the various
practices employed by the rebel lead
ers to extort money from the Ameri-
can managers and foremen and of the
indifference of the Mexi-
can government officials to the numer-
Gus appeals of the American interests
for protection from the raiders.
Lastly. there have come the members
Of the senate subcommittee on foreign
relations fresh from an investigation
at first hand Of border conditions from
California to Texas.
Administration Is Impressed.
The combination Of all these repre-
senta tions has made a profound i'm
preston upon the administra ton. It
has been concluded that stronger rep
than have heretofore been
adopted must be directed to the Mexi-
can government If the conditions are
10 be cured In the ordinary course
these will be communicated through
Amha ssador Wilson. who is leaving
tlli7 morning for New
York whence he will sail hext Thurs
lay for his post by way OF Vera Cruz.
The fact that the amha ssa dor is re-
turning in a leisurely fashion may be
Indicative Of the purpose of the ad-
to avoid undue haste or
excitement in developing this stronger
policy toward Mexico. It has been
to the state department
that the strict enforcement Of the
neutrality laws is in fact. resulting -
the maintenance of an attitude ar
hing hut neutral on the part of the
United States and that the Madero
is benefitting unduIy by
The exclusion ar IS from the rebels,
while itself receiving quantities Of
supplies. that the u. s. gov
srnment is now contemplating some
amendment of the practice in that re-
spect so as to make its attitude more
impartial as between the combatants.