Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-12-23
DECEMBER %, 1912
Nay you Hee all the days of your tifc.-swift
ANOTHER MEXICAN CRISIS

Another crisis i'm Mexico! 1t is the third Sc
rious ENHANCEMENT that Francisco l. Madero
has faced since he drove old Porfiri0 Daz from
his dictatorship Or rather, it is another climax
In the series of crises that has kept the southern
republic in strife and turmoil for more than two
Years. did
The present situation, tense almost to the
brcakiDg-pcnt now, SO far as the United States
is concerned, brings intervention nearer than it
has been at any time since the spring of 1911,
when the Mader0 revolution assumed its most
Formidable proportions and Taft concentrated a
big force in Texas. 1t is a matter of history now
that after some months of snowy work along the
border, the troops were recalled to the infinite
relief CT Madero and his lnen. They alleged that
the powerful American interests which profited
by the Diaz regime of exploitation had brought
about the American martial manifesto to over
ave the revolutionists and help Diaz out of a
bad mess If such was the case, Taft's refusal to
send the troops across the border upset as pretty
plot of "Big Business" as can be.imagined.
Students of Mexican affairs have good real
son to wonder il American interests are not try
ing to force Uncle Sam into position where in
reference will be the only logical result. Some
of these interests are pretty close to the presi-
dency. The Southern Pacific railway has i'm
mense interests in the northern and northwest
efn states of the republic. The Kansas City,
Mexico & Orient railroad is another corporation
with large holdings in the same section. Stand
ard Oils lands in Mexico run into thousands of
acres, and the WatersPierce Oil company is
probably as heavily concerned. The noted Lon,
don firm of Pierson & Son, builder of the Te-
huantepec railroad, was given immense conces-
sions in return for its past work and present
management of the railroad, which is handled
under an arrangement with the government.
These concessions include much oil property,
and recently there have been statements that the
Standard Oil people are to take hold of the Pier
son crude-oil products. The Standard Oil refin-
ing interests in Mexico have been quite active of
late
just how closely all these powerful interests
are in touch with President Taft may be guessed
by the fact that. Henry w Taft, brother of the
president, is director in Pierson & Son. He is
also director in the Americans Hawaiian Steam
ship company, which has secured fat contract
from the Diaz government for handling freight
via the TeIluantepec road Henry w. Taft is
also a director and general counsel for the Unit
ed States of the National Railways of Mexico.
The presidents brother is thus strongly placed
in the triangle of the United States government,
the Mexican government and the great conces-
sionaires.
There are other Americans close to the Taft
administration who are interested in Mexican
affairs. David E. Thompson, former ambassa
dor from this country, is one of them. Another
was Paul Morton, former secretary of the navy,
who became hugely interested in the Pan Amer
lean railway and whose business associates, since
his death, have maintained their stand in admin
istratioh circles. Henry Lane Wilson, present
ambassador to Mexico, seems to have conducted
: himself creditably in a trying situation, but he
is alleged to have made some wise Mexican in
yestments also John Hays Hammond, promi
nent Taft supporter, has several fortunes tied
up stsouth of the line"
NSo it is that American interests profited by
the Diaz administration and have lost by the
change Madero's regime has been one of con;
slant internal strife, and American interests
have suffered untold losses. 1t is no wonder
that pressure is brought to bear for Intervention
NM