The Washington herald., 1912-02-29

more aggressive policy on the part of
the Foreign Relations Committee VIII be
inaugurated.
Following the peaceful cspitulation OF
the important ! rider city OF Juarez to
the rebels Tuesday, the Mexican stu
alton took a new turn yesterday. pre-
senting number of serious and delicate
questions TO the American government.
Reports, which later were found to be
exaggerated. that rebel forces had cap
tured a number Of towns neat Vera Cruz
and were advancing into the big oil dis
trict near there were received at the
State Department Many Americans have
large interests in this district
Conference In Cabinet.
Following the receipt OF these reports.
Secretary of the Navy Meyer and Act
ing Secretary OF State Wilson united in
a conference with the President. Whether
this conference was directly due TO the
Vera Cruz situation. the possibility Of
war ships being rushed from Cuba over
TO that port being under consideration.
or was due TO the sensational reports
from Mexico that Americans are In dam
ger Of being massacred. was not dis
closed. 1t was admitted. however. that
the confere->Se was on Mexico.
The State Deparspent declined to give
credence to a statement supposed to have
been telegraphed from Mexico and pub
lished in American newspapers. claiming
TO have been signed by Sanchez Azcona,
private secretary to President Madero.
This purported TO be a warning from the
Presidents secretary for Americans not
to enter Mexico. declaring that the ar
rival OF the first member of the military
within that country would prove the sig
nal for the slaughter of all the 1000
men, women. and children who are liv-
ing or visiting in that country.
A high official OF the department char
acterized this statement as too ridicu-
lously absurd for any co1sideration-
AEcOna Once Arrested Here.
Onicials of the Mexican Embassy also
declined to believe the statement. They
declared that in case of any difficulty
between the United States and Mexico
every consideration would be given the
Americans. In such a case. however.
there would undoubtedly be a lot OF
depredations committed by bandits and
other lawIess element. who. in their
thirst for gold, would prey upon Amer
leans and other foreigners indiscrim-
inately.
Sanchez Azcona is the Mexican who
was arrested in Washington a year ago
at the instance OF the Mexican Embas-
sy. on a charge OF embezzlement. His
eXtradition was requested. but refused
by the District Of Columbia courts, on
the ground that the case was not ex
tradltable.
The Madero revolutionary junta in
Washington defended AZcona and en-
deayored to prevent his extradition on
the ground that he was wanted for a
political offense. While serving as
secretary to Madero. Azcona has been
the publisher OF a newspaper recog-
nized as a SEMI official organ. in which
there have recently appeared anti
American articles in connection with
the revolution.
To Stop "Pro-Gringo" Talk.
In some circles 1t is thought there
were inspired, in that Madero had been
accused by rebel sympathizers as being
''pro-Gringo." and that HIS victory over
Diaz was due TO American capital and to
the American government. ~ -
For weeks there has been a general
exodus OF Americans out of Mexico. and
the fear has been expressed to the State
Department by relatives of many who
are still in Mexico that massacres would
TNSulN SnOuil Llt IdNlNeS get the lueA
that the exodus was being inspired from
Washington. That would spell inter
vention to them, which, II was feared.
might mean a general massacre before
the American army could come to the
rescue.
Another new and delicate feature Of
the situation developed in President
Madero calling upon the Washington
government TO stop all commerce be-
tween El Paso and JuareZ. Senior
Crespo. the Mexican Ambassador. called
upon Acting Secretary Wilson, stating
that he had been notified that the port
OF JuareZ has been closed by an eXecu-
tive decree. Accordingly. his govern
ment demanded that the United States
prevent the further shipment of arms.
ammunition. and provisions from FL Paso
into Juarez.
Thousands Of rifles. Il was stated. have
reached the rebels through this channel
in the last few days. This question will
be discussed at a conference between
Mr.. Wilson, Attorney General Wicker
sham. and Acting Secretary Curtis, of
the Treasury Department, to-day.