The Washington times., 1913-02-17
MASSACRE WOULD
BRING INTERVENTION
Three Contingencies Alone Con-
sidered Cause for War on
Mexico Today.

Intervention in Mexico by the United
States today had sifted down to three
CONTINGENCIES, the development Of which
would change President Tafts deter
mination to keep hands or IN the
Mexico City civil war.
II communication is cut or from the
capital; IL there is an outbreak OF anti
American sentiment, and If Americans
lose their lives through deliberate at
tack by either rebels or federals then
the United States will step In. other-
wise there is every disposition on the
part of the Administration to let the
situation work itself out.
A week ago officials here said inter-
yention might come II the beihserehts
waged an uncivilized warfare, II they
disregarded international humanitarian
sws and If an outbreak or lawiessness
occurred. Dispatches here Indicate tnat
botn these contingencies nave arlseh.
But in the meanwhile II has become
apparent that American lives NOT only
in the capital, but throughout Mexico.
would probably be forfeited the instant
American troops or marines were
landed.
Fear a Massacre.
Mexican rebels and federals alike do
not want intervention, and even tne
landing of an expeditionary force would
be purposely misconstrued by certain
class of natives as the first step to-
ward intervention. A massacre OF
American residents Of Mexico might Ioi
the belief that the troops were coming:
The Administration Is earnestly
hopinq that Ambassador Wilson will
have succeeded today in removing pe-
yond the zone Of fire in Mexico City
every American resident. They have
had a weeks notice to flee: the promise
has been procured from both Madero
and Diaz to withhold their artillery f1re
over quarters occupied by foreisneIs-
So far as the safety OF Americans goes.
provided conditions are observed ana
there Is no outbreak of an anti-Ameri-
can sentiment Moreover at Vera Cruz.
twenty-four hours ride from the capi-
tai, there Is an American war vessei,
the Georgia. and two others due any
moment now, the Vermont and the Ne
braska. These could convey refugees to
ports of safety, as well as land an ex-
peditionary. force of possibly 1000 men,
Communication Imperative.
But 1t is the preservation OF all COM
munication with Mexico City that con-
Germs the Administration most. With
conditions as uncertain in Mexico City
as at present, IL Ambassador Wilson
could not be reached, or II the depart
ment could not receive his reports. the
covernment thinks public opinion would
support the United States taking a
hand. With the censorship on news
dispatches. State Department OFFICIALS,
II was understood today. had instructed
Ambassador Wilson to make more oe-
tailed reports as to conditions at Mex
leo City.
Heretofore Wilson has apparently not
been in a hurry to make his reports,
foreseeing that press dispatches would
beat his, particularly since all the cip-
lomatic advices are In 2 cipher wnish
REQUIRES considerable time for transla-
tion. Now that press matter must pass
censorship, the Government wants more
complete news from Mexico City in the
official dispatches.
President Madero's appeals to Presi-
dent Taft for statement Of the United
Stafes' position affords the Admins
tration an opportunity exactly to out
line the nonintervention policy. A note
framed at two Cabinet meetings Satur-
dav ana a further conference Sunday
night, is probably now in Madero
hands
II can be stated on authority that Up
unt,, receipt by President Taft of Ma
dero's appeal the Administration nad
MANNED To land marines at Vera Cruz
But there was one significant sentence,
confirmatory of official dispatches. In
that appeal which decided against that
step under present conditions. Ihe sen
Sepca was. - 81 ask your excel
lency to order your men-of-war not to
disembark troops in Mexico. as this act
will cause a confiagration and terrible
consequences Of more extent than the
ones we have to contend with at pres
ent." In other words, the federal gov