The Washington times., 1912-04-28
GOING
TOMEXICO ON SHIP
The Buford Which Leaves Tomorrow to Rescue Amer
..... leans, Will Carry No Armed
Force

Decision not to man with marines the
transport Buford, which sails tomorrow
noon >from San Francisco for points on
the western coast of Mexico, was
reached by the State Department today,
after long deliberation. Fear lest the
transports mission be considered in the
nature of armed intervention If marines
are placed aboard prompted the de-
Cison,
1t has been pointed out by army and
navy officers that the rescue of Ameri-
can refugees at Topohampo, Mazatlan,
Manzanillo and Acapulco would be
surer If the transport was manned with
men able to land in force in the event
of an emergency.
To this protest reply has been made
that the Transports crew and civilian
employees, numbering forty or fifty incn,
can be depended upon to shoot straight
II an emergency arises. The transport
carries small arms enough to furnish
these men with weapons
Anxious for Battle.
Officials of the State Department are
eager for the Government and rebel
forces encamped near Torreon and rest
ing on their arms fight decisive battle
and end the revolution. For days ru-
mors and promises of a decisive battle
have been forthcoming. but no fight has
taken place.
Pending the battle near TorreoIL tie
State Department, it is announced, win
not change its present policy toward
Americans In Mexico.
Refugees will be aided to escape from
seaports on the west coast and also
on the cast coast, though at the pres
ent time 1t is not the plan to send a
tranSnnrt Hnwn 10 OF pf
Mexico. Nor will the dispatch of Brit
any activity by the United States in
the eastern waters. according to state
ments today.
The State Department Is growing Of
Tended at the continuous criticism of its
policy with respect to Mexico This
Government has shut off supplies of
ammunition. sent arms to Americans in
Mexico, made protest through consuls
and done what else 1t could to rescue
Americans in trouble.
The communication of Manuel Iujan,
member of the Orozco junta in Wash
ington. which was filed with the State
Department Yesterday, will receive no
reply. The State Department went
farther toward recognizing Orozco as a
belligerent when II sent him word
through a United States consult week
before last than II will do again in the
immediate future, and the communica-
ton made by Senor Lujan will be
vidual had written letter.
Senior Lujan Is expected to renew his
efforts to get recognition from the State
Department, but II he is received II
will not be officially. His communica-
ton deals largely with promises by Gen
eral Orozco as to what he will do when
he has routed the government forces al
Torreon.
Orozco Gives Pledge.
\ A pledge is given to stop all destruc.
tion of property and bloodshed OF non,
combatants, a pledge in which little
stock is taken.
Although not officially recognized the
State Department is reading ,Orozco's
promises to be good with a great deal
of interest. but is not taking any heart
felt confidence in the results of these
pledges.
President Taft gave the Mexican sit
uation some attention this morning, il
is understood during conference with
Secretary Knox, at the White House
The President did not go to his office
in the annex, but Secretary Knox anC
other callers were received by the Pres
ident in his private office in the White
Hous proper
Both the President and the Secretary
of State leave Washington today, tho
President returning to Massachusetts
to pursue the primary vote, and Mr.
Knox to New Orleans, to take part ir
the Statehood centenary celebration
there. Mr.. Knox will go to California
from New Orleans. Nothing was di