New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-24
Administration Officials Conf
dent Mexican President viii
Weaken in Two Days.
MAY NOT DELIVER MESSAGE
Prospect of Early Settlement
of Trouble May Lead Wilson
to Refrain from AID
dressing Congress.
Iron The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, Aug. 23.-There was little
change I'm the Mexican situation to-day
but government officials showed more
confidence that solution was about 10
be reached. The officials believe, on in
formation received from John Lind, the
Presidents representative In Mexico City,
that General Huerta is about 10 CLIMB
down from his high perch and reach an
understanding which will form the basis
Of a compromise.
SO confident are the officials that some
thing important will develop during the
next few days that they are suggesting
the possibility that the President may
not, after all. deliver his message 10
Congress on Tuesday. If there Is any
hope that a settlement can be reached
during the early days of next week, Pres
ident Wilson will refrain from talking to
Congress about Mexico until he knows
that Mr. Lind has met with success or
failure. Until day or two ago 1t looked
so much like failure that the President
was ready 10 present the whole Mexican
matter 10 Congress.
There was a rumor In Washington to-
day that Mr.. Lind had been assassinated.
The Secretary of State heard il and at
once telegraphed TO Mexico City for re-
port In the remarkably short time or
two hours he had a telegram from the
embassy saying that the rumor was I'M
true
Most persons here believe that recent
events in Washington caused Huerta to
shift his position. although there are
some who believe he is playing a game In
the hope of continuing the negotiations
for a considerable period. during which
he could strengthen his position and make
certain the election OF himself or some
one of his selection at the elections III
October. The general belief, however, Is
that Huerta has come to his senses
through recent events in Washington.
The non-partisan and wholehearted sup
port which the President is getting from
Congress is believed to have been a sur
prise to Huerta, who had been told that
the country was divided. 1t is thought
also that Senator Penrose's resolution
calling for an appropriation of $25,OoO,oOo
TO protect Americans in Mexico had some
thing to do with Huerta's change OF
front. That sum. 1t is considered, must
look large TO the bankrupt Huerta gov
eminent and the realization of what could
he done with il may have had a great
moral effect officials Of the administra-
ton believe further that the fact that
President Wilson intended putting the
whole matter up to Congress also helped
to induce Huerta to change his mind.
Secretary Bryan sent a telegram to the
American Consul at Chihuahua to-day d.
rectng him formally to demand of the
commander of the military district there
that ne shall punish the guerillas who
killed an American named Griffen, near
Churuchupa, and assaulted A F. Parks
on July 6. He has also told the consul
10 investigate the reported killing OF an
American named Hayes and a negro
known as Tom" at MADEIRA, on Au-
gust 10.
According TO consular reports things
seem TO be livening up in Mexico. and
the rebels and federals, after a brief
period Of comparative quiet. are at 1t
again. The state of affairs in Northern
Tobasco is reported critical by Consul
Lespinasse, at Frontera He also reports
serious disorder in the town OF Cardenas
on August 49, The revolutionists made
an attack on the federal garrison, and
about thirty OF the latter were killed.
Much property was destroyed. Later the