The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-08-19

government has been established there.
This does not look likely or probable.
and the question for our government
to consider should be tho best means
OF securing safety for our citizens and
peace and order upon our border
Congress and the executive have
ample power in this regard. but 1t
has not been used. either by this or
the last administration. It would not
be creditable to this government to
impair the usefulness OF the present
de facto government OF Mexico, and II
should not lend itself to such an un-
worthy task"
Senator Marcus Smith, of Arizona
| said: II expected that Huerta would
reject any plan submitted by President
Wilson for the restoration of peace in
Mexico. We will support the Presi-
dent"
Not Surpriaed at Huertn.
Senator Fall. Of New Mexico, said:
believing that the President Is trying
periodically to reach a peaceful solu-
,ion OF the Mexican situation, / shall
support him in his efforts, demanding
always that there must be enforced tho
principle of protection for American
| citizens in Mexico. and that there
shall be no surrender OF the integrity
or the honor OF this government +
am not surprised at the action Of
Huerta-"
The action of President Huerta
forces the administration to another
initiative, or as Senator Bacon phrases
II. other measures. The administra-
ton has announced pointblank that
me recognition OF Huerta is not one
or the possibilities On the other hand
Carranza and Carranzists have been
denounced as bandits. and therefore
treating with them as belligerents Is
out of the question. The Carranzists,
in fact, under that stigma could not
be recognized even as de facto power
In Mexico. This does not apply, how
ever, to the great State OF Sonora,
which Is something apart from the gen
eral revolutionary plans in Mexico and
which is bidding for recognition as an
Independent state. Some OF the off,
c'als think that the mere expression of
intentions as an alternative on tho part
or the administration to recognize the
Independent republic OF Sonora would
force even Huerta's friends to cause
him to surrender to mediation.
The administration knew before Mr..
Lind was sent to Mexico that media
ton would be rejected by Huerta 1t
also knew that mediation would be re-
lected absolutely by the Carranzists
therefore. the news that Huerta had
rejected mediation caused no shock
When this was followed by news that
Auerta had presented an ultimatum de-
handing recognition by midnight to-
night an intense feeling of pessimism
developed.
1t is expected that the fact that pass
borts have been handed to Onslaught
Messy will be followed by similar action
by this government in handing pass
ports to the Mexican charge d'affaires
at Washington at once. In the ma
]ority of cases such action by both
governments. especially under the high
tension which exists In the present
case, means that the next step will be
war. AS Congress Is in session. there
now seems to be no doubt that the
President Will communicate to it the
action OF Huerta in publicly insulting
the American government
Congress is the war-making power
and this has been recognized by the
president all through the negotiations
with Huerta. If Congress should de-
eide that the transactions between the
TWO governments, and especially the
act OF Huerta to-day. can be met in no
other way than war; it will adopt a
joint resolution on which the Presi-
dent may declare war. and this reso-
tuition Will also give him the sinews OF
war, rs was done In the recent conflict
between the United States and Spain.
When the President has been au-
thorized to act he becomes commander
in-chier OF the army and navy, in fact
as Well as in name, and he would then
call into conference with him the chiefs
OF the navy and Major-General Leonard
Wood, chief of staff of the United
States Army, as we'll as tho experts of
the army. The experts Of the army
war college would also be called into
conference. They have been studying
the lines of advance into Mexico for
the last six months. Unofficially the
President has already been Informed by
the army staff that 1t would require
probably an initial force of about 20O-
600 men to begin operations success
fully In Mexico. The plan which will
be adopted will be to mobilize the army
in the United States and concentrate it
in Texas.
II is stated that the movement Of the
regular troops would begin prior to an
authorization by Congress that the
militia be included in the army OF in
vasion.
Tho combined regulars and the
militia would make an army OF about
100000 men. The further increase OF
the army would be by call issued
from tho White House for volunteers.
This probably would net about 100000
beside the militia and the regular
troops.
Although tho State Department AMI
the White House endeavored to post
pone announcements OF the impending
crisis until the last moment. there WAS
unusual activity, and It was very care
fully concentrated In Secretary Tu-
made visits to Secretary Bryan after
receipt OF tho alarming news. He
visited Senator'S. and he was in a. quiet
way communicating tho news to the
higher officials. This included Sena-
tors and the important Representatives.
The result Of his activity will be mani
fest early In the morning at tho White
House. where tho Foreign Relations
Committee, members of the Cabinet and
those who would be concerned directly
in the passage of the joint resolution
IL war became necessary. probably will
assemble.
The Secretary of War and Major
General Wood are now away from
Washington, but they will doubtless
get dispatches bidding them hurry
home.
Admiral Dewey as the head of the
navy and especially as head OF the
General Navy Board. will he called on
for his services very early in tho de-
velopments.
Instructione will go 10 Admiral Bad
Ror, who Ia In tha north nj At1optt~