The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-09-08
President Taft Is Extremely
Reluctant to Take
Step
MORE TROOPS ARE
SENT TO BORDER
While Conditions in North Are Bad
Americans Are Being Treated
Worse in Southern Part
of Republic

Beverly Mass, September AL
though President Taft will not inter-
vene In Mexico without the fullest de-
liberation upon a step that would mean
war. his friends declared tonight that
intervention is nearer than 1t has been
since the first American troops were
rushed to the border IS months ago,
1T can be stated on the highest au-
thority, however, that should the Pres
ident decide that intervention is tre
only course open to him. he will call
Congress In special session and de-
mand of it the authority to send the
American army across the border I'm
der no circumstances, he has told his
friends, would he do an unfriendly act
against Mexico without consulting Con-
gress.
Reluctant to Invade Mexico
Friends of the President realize that
he would give the order to invade Mex
leo only with the greatest reluctance.
They are aware that 1t already has
been charged by senators that the Pres
ident might send the army across the
line, make himself war President
and rely upon that to bring victory to
himself and the republican party in
November Mr.. Taft has said that such
a statement is utterly without founda-
tion and declared to his advisers that
1t would be hard to conceive of Pres
ident who would use his office to throw
his country into a war which experts
have predicted could end in not less
than two years; that would cost mil
lions: that would mean the sacrifice of
thousands OF lives and ruin for years
TO come the basis of this nations =
Friendship with the Central and South
american republics.
The President today authorized Cen
Leonard Wood, chief of staff, U. S. A.
TO dispatch two more regiments of cav
airy to the Texas border. The regi-
ments Win be sent from Fort Riley
KAN, and Fort d. A. Russell. Wyoming
so far as the President was informed,
there Will be no immediate need for
more troops in Texas but conditions
alohe that border have grown worse
in thestast few weeks.
Conditions in South
IL in the southern part Of Mexico,
hoa ever, that the President has learned
of intolerable conditions anecting
Americans. There the Madero govern
ment, according to the Washington in
formation, is utterly unable to cope
with the revolutionists and there seems
to pe little prospect that the situation
will improve. The President within the
last few days has communicated de-
mand that President Madero be more
active in the protection of Americans.
He is hopeful that this reminder, meant
for the ears of the Mexican Presluent
and for the Mexican foreign office as
we'll will be fruitful of results in both
sothern and northern Mexico.
The situation south of the Mexican
capital is regarded particularly dan-
gerous TO Americans because the revolu-
tionists there apparently have much less
fear of an American invasion Than their
brothers in the north. The only favorable
plan for protection of Americans in the
SOUTH Mr.. Taft has been told, would be
to send troops to some gulf port OF Mex
leo.
The trouble is in the interior and the
landing of trops in a Mexican port would
mean Intervention and war. There Is TO
such opportunity in the south of Mexico
% display troopers in force and thereby
1astill respect for the United States as
there has been along the Texas frontier.
Only one solution of the problem has
been put forward and that is interven-
ton. Mr.. Taft is still hopeful, however
mat President Madero will improve con-
ditions SO that such a step will not need
be taken.