The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-31
PLIGHT OF MEXICO
lSGR0W|NG WORSE
Only Matter Of Days
Till Capital Is
Attacked.
,ix
MADERO RAPIDLY
LOSING PRESTIGE
De La Barra Is Coming Home,
and He May Be Acclaimed
Man of the Hour, Only One
Capable of Saving Repub-
lie-Fighting Still in
Progress.
lsrcclal 10 The rimes-D,spatch.

Washington. March Washington
authorities were unable to-day TO gain
much satisfaction or enlightenment
from the mass OF conflicting reports
concerning the latest situation In Mex
ico aside from tho apparent fact that
conditions generally are rapidly grow
Ing worse. II seems now only d ques-
tion OF days or weeks at most when an
attack VIII be made u on Mexico ca.
II In ths meantime there is not &C.
clded turn In the situation looking to
q compromise with tic new govern
rent head This possibility. which Is
only vague. appears 70 lie IN me return
TO Mexico OF Francisco de "a Barra.
former ambassador to Washington,
who became Secretary OF state .or Di22
during the closing days OF the lattcr's
standardization. ana was later proyis-
ional President.
,indrIo Losing Prestige
These reports, regardless oil various
contra 1ictions. appear conclusive 10 ths
authorities here on one important point,
that Made1n IS gradually losing pres
tige. his military strength is declining
and the revolutionary directors are rap
IDLY gaining in force. each me e;!ng
with victories over the E'ederals and
bu,h apparently affecting organizations
calculated 10 develop into tormide BILE
armies. senior DIS la Barra IS now orr
tin sea. en- route from Europe. with
tile Announced Intention Of returning to
tile aid Of his country The Washing,
ton authorities recognize de la Barrs
as having made good since ms return
10 Mexico from Washington one year
ago both as Secretary Of stat. and as
temporary Executive, and IL has been
generally understood that ne was sent
70 Europe by 3iadero ard kept there
70 prevent popular demonstration !,
his favoy. Reports from Mexico indi
cato he wii! PROBABLY be hailed az IS
man Of tho hour.
peeisrAt!ons which have been re-
prate1I! made by President TAFT and
tth,r authorities mat there is no In
t.utiort on inc part OF the admlnistra-
ZION to Intervene IN Mexico. were
7ancratc- ~ the President before his
dorartuIc for Philadelphia. It was de-
clarea ugaiN that II conditions should
become such ihat Intervention should
seem necessary inc wnolo situation
V ould he laid before Congress. 1t IS
admitted ia Responsible quarters that
there has been no lack OF vigilance on
the par, OF this government nor any
cessation in tho preparation IN order
tllt tho mllitiu may be abIc promptly
10 cope with extreme emergency. This
accounts for the fact that the entire
army Is SIN resting on It's arms under
War Departments ordcrs, and that the
Qunrtermaster's Department is keep
ing Ia closest possible touch with rail-
roads and steamship companies as
TO be able to move its troops with the
Utmost Dispatch IL called upon.
Alarmed ba Pnhiicit..
The authorities are admittedly some
what concerned over the publicity tina,
has been given the shipment of arms
and ammunition for the American
colony III McNico City. 1t had been
hoped they could be delivered to The
American legation before the matter
became known, and thus obvatc the
possibility OF interference on the part
OF eithe. rebels or bands Of outlaws
President Madcro. in conserving to
THIS ARRANGEMENT. agreed TO provide a
special tram and guard of soldiers for
the shipment OF this material from
Vera truz, whcrc * is TO be landed In,
latter part OF next week 10 the lu,eri-
can legation In Mexico City While
The Washington authorities do not
anticipate that the reset leaders will
counaenancc any Interference, IL 10
SAID thesc leaders have not sufficient
control oIc rthc men enlisted under
their banners. The possibility de-
vclopcd to-day that In case there w,a
danger of Interference. and the Madeira
government should he able TO ward II
OF guard OF marines may be taken
from one OF the warships that arc
. Icing retained in tho Caribbean So,
Tor this purpose Since Madero lras
guaranteed the delivery Of this ma
terial at its destination, he cannot on.
pose such action In case ne fails
1t Is explained ny the State Dcport
ment that these rifles and ammunition
arc restricted to use In Places of
business, or private residences aud
are not 10 be carried in the streets or
TO be used for purposes OF maintainin-
order In the City OF Mexico.
The situation in Puebla and Vera
Cruz where the Zapata forces ave
operating, appears worse, and 1t 10
through this country that the A1oeri
can arms VIII be shipped While III.
rifles are to be sold st $685. each, they
could not be bought in the open mar.
itet for less than SIS. and since Madeira
has purchased ali arms In Mexico civ
they are not obtaina BILE there at any
price. With the American frontal
closed to shipment of war material
the rebels are having difficulty obtain.
ing It. II is understood that both
rebels and Federals arc now cndeayor-
Ing to get war supplies by sea from
Canada.
.irns for Meal leans.
Madcro has decided upan a vigorous
campaign against the rebels, and the
American government has consented Ia
permit the shipping from the United
States of arms and munitions for his
soldiers.
These developments in the compli-
Gated Mexican situation were learned
here to-day. 1t IS the intention of
President Madero TO repIcnish his di-
unfinished army with fresh RECRUITS.
throwing them around tho stronghoIds
OF the rebels. -
The serious problem OF armlng them