Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-25
MAY CROSS BORDER
American Troops on Mexican
Line Will Be Ready.
PRESIDENT IN CONFERENCE
Sees Members of Senate Foreign Re-
lations Committee.
TAKES A DETERMINED STAND
Will Not Permit Lives of Citizens of
United States to Be
Endangered.
PRESIDENT IN CONFERENCE
TAKES A DETERMINED STAND

Troops of the United States will, with
out their action being intended to have
the significance of an act Of war, cross
the border into Mexico If the necessity
or armed conflict calculated to endanger
the lives or property of American citizens
on this side Of the line.
President Taft is understood to have
announced his decision to adopt this way
at a conference called by him yesterday
evening with three members of the for
eign relations committee Of the Senate
and the Texas senators, Mr. Bailey and
Mr.. Culberson.
In history, marines frequently have
been landed in the ports of nations, al
ways of minor strength, to protect life
and property of citizens of the same ma
tionality as the protecting force. Diplo-
macy has regarded the use of land forces
aggression, and paramount to a declara-
ton Of war. The view that 1t would be
an act of war if soldiers of the United
States should cross the Mexican border
has repeatedly been set forth by the
State Department.
Senator Lodge, who ranks next to Sena-
tor Cullom. chairman Of the Senate COM
mittee on foreign relations. and Senators
Bacon and Stone, besides TIE Texas men,
bers of the Senate, were closeted with
after his return from a walk in the rain.
They were with him for more than an
hour. leaving shortly after o'clock.
Secrecy as to Conference.
Great secrecy was maintained as to the
details CT the conference 1t became
known, however, that the members of the
committee are hopeful that affairs in
Mexico will adjust themselves SO that this
country will not becSme embroiled.
The President is understood to have
informed the senators that under no cir
cumstances will he again permit battles
between Mexican forces along the Ameri-
can border, resulting in the killing of
American citizens. If such fights occur
American troops probably will take part
to the extent of crossing the border and
squaring accounts with the forces so
engaged.
The President read to the senators, it
is said, a. dispatch he had ordered sent
to Minister Wilson. at Mexico City, df-
recting that President Madero be in
formed that it is not the policy of this
country to intervene in Mexico. if this
can be avoided, but that the administra-
ton will not again permit hostile Mexi-
can forces to gather and fight right on
the sborder. In addition, the President
has intimated to Madero that conditions
in Mexico are becoming unbearable to
the United States and tnat every effort
should be made to put down the rebel
lion.
President Taft is known to regard the
possibility Of intervention with deep re-
greet. and hopes that the fighting and
turmoil will be so confined that 1t will
not interfere with American business or
menace American lives.
No Word From Other Nations.
Up to Il few days ago the administra-
ton had not received suggestions from
any foreign government. 1t is not be-
fieved there have yet been any intima-
tons that the United States ought to
put down the rebellion that is going on.
If Intervention in Mexico finally comes
it will be due to the fighting of Mexican
forces on the border and the consequent
firing into American towns and cities,
with the killing Of American citizens. Re-
CARELESS of pleas to the contrary, the
President is disposed to keep hands off
Mexico as long as the factions there do
their fighting entirely on their own soil
and keep away from trouble right on the
border.
lations committee of the Senate to be
fully informed as to conditions in Mexico.
the ordering of additional troops to the
border. the matter Of the probable
HlODllZlnS OF more troops ana the 1lfLn
attitude Of the administration.
Determined that no more American
lives shall be sacrificed as result of
fighting on the Mexican border, the
United States troops along the Rio
Grande We're reinforced yesterday and
orders were given that firing into Amer
lean territory must be stopped even
though 1t be necessary to cross the
boundary line to enforce compliance.
The order. the most sweeping that has
gone out from the White House in the
present situation, was issued after a con-
ference between President Taft, Secre-
tary Of War Stimson and Acting Secre-
tary of State Huntington Wilson.
Orders to Commanders.
In addition to sending another regiment
of infantry and battalion of field artil-
lery to Ell Paso, orders were issued to
division commanders throughout the
country to hold their commands in readi-
ness to move at a moments notice. The
acute situation in Mexico has had the eff
feet of putting the army establishment in
a high state Of preparedness. Mobiliza-
ion on the Rio Grande could be effected
quickly If the occasion arose.
The Mexican government, it is under
stood. will be advised of the intention of
ards repetition Of the casualties due to
stray bullets coming across the line
which marked the lighting during the
MaderO revolution at several towns along
the border. A neutral zone along the
border will be insisted upon in which
fighting must cease. This zone the United
States intends to have respected.