Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-05
Requests French Government
to Arbitrate Differences
With United States.
II MAY MEAN DICTATOR
Is AT END OF HIS ROPE
France, However, Will Do Nothing
Until Further Advised of This
Country's Policy.


nas been asked informally by the
Huerta government whether II was dis
posed to mediate between the United
States and Mexico. The word was con.
sidered of Importance as in IL many
students of the Mexican problem saw a
possible way for Gen Huerta to get out
and still save his face" 1t was also
thought to indicate that the Mexican
dictator Is at the end of his rope.
The additional news was received
from Paris that the French government
has taken the attitude that il will do
nothing until further advised as to the
policy of the United States toward
Mexico and then nothing which would
be unwelcome.
State Department officials took the posi-
ton that the action of the Frenc foreign
offlce is another evidence of the intention
OF France to defer to the policy of the
United. States in the Mexican situation.
France was among the first European
powers to accede to the request of the
United States to put off action In the
Mexican situation until the Washington
government had formulated and an
nounced its policy.
Inclined to Give Huerta Chance.
BY the action of the administration
here in refusing to give publicity to it's
recent efforts to get Huerta out, il Is
thought that the President is intent on
giving Huerta an oprortunity Of eliminat-
Ing himself in a dignitied manner. 1t was
thought possible that the mediation OF
France might furnish such a way out.
Tne mediation of France in such q
matter. it was believed here would in no
way lessen the position of the United
states nor infringe on even the spirit
of the Monroe doctrine. Such way of
getting rid of Huerta mas not been one
of the means generally discussed here.
tofore, because of the Presidents init
nations that although he desired the
moral support OF foreign Governments
he thought that the United States is the
nation to solve the present difficulty.
Secretary Bryan said today that ha
had not been officially advised that
Huerta had asked France to mediate
with the United States for a settlement
OF existing differences. and he declined
to discuss the question in any phase.
published report that Huerta had sent
communication to President Wilson
presumably on that subject.
Radical Differences of Opinion.
The proposition for mediation was the
subject Of general discussion in dipIo-
matte circles and the views EXPRESSED
showed radical differences of opinion.
The general opinion was that the propo-
sition was not sincere and was put out
merely to make it appear that Huerta
was convinced of the justice of his cause
with ample knowledge that the question
would not be put to the supreme test by
the acceptance of mediation by the United
States.
1t was contended by one diplomat that
Huorta Sl,v
move in apparently Offering to submit his
case to the government of France i'm view
of the fact that France asked the United
States to look after its citizens i'm Lower
California. and when France has given
more open support to President Wilson's
policy in Mexico probably than any other
European power.
At the French embassy il was said that
Ambassador Jusserand knew nothing OF
the request from the Mexican govern
ment.
The recent statement of Senator Ba.
con regarding the likelihood of an early
discussion of the Mexican question in
Congress is generally taken in diplomatic
circles to forecast the delivery TO that
body of a special message from President
Wilson recounting his efforts to secure
the restoration of peace in Mexico and
the establishment of a constitutional gov
ernment. and leaving to Congress the de-
cision of the next step to be taken That
position that any answer that may be
returned by Gen. Huerta to the latest
representa- tions from the administration
Trough Charge 'Shaughnessy will be
unreSponSive and amount to a declination
to comply with the suggestion that Huer-
ia should at once take steps to relin-
auish control OF the provisional govern
ment.
Fears False Ideas.
The Intervention of tomtoms and the
sirens OF war made no music around
the White House or the State Depart
ment today. Whatever was contained
in the little epistle that Huerta got
from this country. however raging mad
the provisional President of Mexico
may be. there was no imaginary blood
spots In official or unofficial news to-
day around the quarters where there
ought to Toe news. President Wilson
was too tickled with election results
to be worrying much about what Senor
Huerta was doing or thinking.
The President does not look lightly on
the Mexican situation. however. He and
Secretary Bryan both regard 1t as ser-
fact that their efforts to settle the MeNi-
can trouble without Intervention by this
counry are immensely hampered by the
lingo attitude Of many newspapers. The
President is said to fear that false ideas
will be manufactured to an extent as 70
become factors in the settling of the
problems before him.
There is constantly held up before the
resident the possible repetition of 1898.
when this country was virtually driven
into war with Spain BY the steady jim
goism that preyiled in many newspapers
until sentiment became so strong as to
force action by President Mckinley and
Congress, Mr. Mckinley standing out to
the last against a declaration of war.
President Wilson has determinedly
set himself to preventing the influence
of outside opinion on his course in
Mexico and Intervention talk does NOT
get from him anything except a dubious
smile. 1t Is limited in high quarters
that about the only danger of inter-
yention in sight will be caused by the
working up of sentiment in this coun-
try TO a point that will force the hands
of the administration ahead of its
nians. at the same time going far to-
ward arousing Huerta and Mexicans
gsneyaIIy toward acts and expressions
that would pour more oil on the
flames
Huerta May Declare War.
The feeling was growing here today
that Gen Huerta, when he finally CON
.lu,Ies that the sentiment Of the world in