Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-03-05
TAFT ORDERS ALL
AMERICANS T0FlEE
SITUATION IN MEXICO SUDDENLY
REACHES AN ACUTE
STAGE.
TO ENFORCE NEUTRALITY
Americans Who Take Part In Affairs
VIII ee Observation-Disclosures
Wilson Nct!ties consuis to
Instruct People.

Washington, March 4.-The grayit
of the situation in Mexico cause
President Taft to issue a proclamatio
virtually warning American citizens t
refrain from entering that country an
those now residing there to leav
when conditions threaten to becom
| intolerable.
The proclamation was augmented
by telegram addressed by the stat
department to Ambassador Wilson IL
the city of Mexico. The ambassado
was instructed to inform American
in peril there to withdraw across tn
border. leaving their effects in tn
care of the nearest United States con
sui Copies of the telegram were sen
also to all consular agents
The presidents utterance was sole
~ a warning to Americans to avoit
anything that might SAVIOR of part
eanship in the existing state of affairs
The proclamation is as follows:
Whereas, serious disturbances ant
forcible resistance to the authorize,
of the established government exist
ing in certain portions of Mexico; and
Whereas, under these conditions II
is the duty of all persons within the
jurisdiction of the United States to re
frain from the commission of acts pro
hibited by the law thereto relating ant
eubversive of the tranquility OF coun
try with which the United States Il
at peace; and,
II, William Howard Taft. president
of the United States of America, dc
hereby admonish- all such citizens and
other persons to abstain from every
violation Of the laws hereinbefore re
ferred to and do hereby warn them
that all violations Of such laws will
he vigorously prosecuted, and l dc
hereby enjoin upon all officers Of the
United States charged with the execu
ton Of such laws the utmost diligence
in preventing violations thereof. and
in bringing TO trial and punishment
the offenders against the same: and
finally, I do hereby give notice that all
persons owing allegiance to the United
States who make take part in the dis
turbances now existing in Mexico. un
less in the necessary defense of theiY
persons or property, or who shall 9th
erwjse engage in acts subversive Of
the tranquility of that country. will
do so at their peril and that they can
in no wise obtain any protection from
the government of the United States
against the appropriate legal conse
uuences Of their acts. insofar as such
consequences are in accord with equi
table justice and humanity and the en-
lightened principles of international
law"
Because of the interest felt by
European nations. many of whose sub
jects are resident in Mexico. the state
department had fully advised with
their diplomatic representatives in
Washington. The British. German
Spanish and French embassies and le
cations here were Informed Of the
proclamation and of the instructions
10 Ambassador Wilson SO the diplo
mats might similarly direct to their
UWH HdtiUAS Representatives III MA
leo.
The task of warning Americans to
nee the country will be left to Am
bassador Wilson. and American citi
1ens are urged to heed his advice. The
state department added that such fu
gitives from Mexico might expect r.
obtain redress for losses just as sec
a. tranquility was restored.
Americans Fleeing Mexico.
Mexico City.-President Taft's proc
lsmstion created deeper concern
among Americans and foreigners gen
orally than any developments hitherto
in the present rebellion or in the Ma
dero revolution.
An Associated Press dispatch In an
afternoon paper. the first intimation Of
President Taft's intention, telegraphed
to a Mexican newspa per, was circulat'
ed about the city in the form of Z
dodger, printed in red ink. In this il
was made to appear that President
Taft was to recommend to all Ameri
cans to leave at once.
Already the exodus is we'll under
way. Railroad trains, during the last
few days. have been carrying extra
coaches to accommodate the travel
and steamer accommodations are well
booked for two weeks in advance.