The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-07-23
ACTION IN MEXICO
URGED IN SENATE
Fall Asserts Firm Attitude
Would Prevent War.
BACON FAvORS CAUTION
New Mexico Senator Biames United
States For Conditions Because Of
Policy of Delay.

States For Conditions Because Of
Policy of Delay.
Washington, July 23.-The delicate
nature OF the Mexican situation was
emphasized and a demand that the
administration take a firm attitude
voiced in the senate when Senator
Fall, Republican, of New Mexico, call
ed up his resolution aiming to protest
American citizens and their property
in foreign countries.
1t is general in it's language, but
has a direct bearing on and was in
spired by the Mexican situation.
Senator Bacon, chairman of the for
eign relations committee, demanded
that it be sent to that committee, sc
tht it's terms might be carefully
weighed.
words are very serious things at
times" he said. land this is one OF
the times"
Fall asked that it be adopted al
once, asserting that it was thoroughly
understood by every senator.
Bacon insisted that the people OF
the United States were in grave pc
sition of responsibility lat the present
time, and any enunciati6n of princi
pies such as this should be thoroughly
considered. AS to whether this resolu
ton enunciates the truth should moi
be discussed at this time he said
This is entirely a question of expe,
diency."
He asked whether the resolution die
not mean that the United States
should send an armed force into Mex
leo to protect American citizens. Sen.
ator Stone said he would favor such
action,
Senator Williams, of Mississippi
maintained that citizen of the United
States had no constitutional rights in
foreign countries. Amended, he
thought such a resolution ought to be
passed Ito strengthen the arm of the
secretary of state"
Senator Works, of California, asked:
Are we prepared now to declare this
government as set forth in this reso.
luton prepared to give full protection
to her citizens in Mexico? Full protec-
ton must necessarily mean that if our
citizens in Mexico cannot be protected
by diplomatic means We are prepared
to go to war with Mexico. I submit
that before the senate makes decla.
ration to that effect the question
should be thoroughly and seriously
considered"
Fall, aroused by what he termed in.
timations from senators that he was
seeking to precipitate war with Mex.
leo, made a stirring reply.
"My sole purpose" he said,
throughout this and former admins
trations has been to prevent war with
Mexico I urged the last administra.
ton to realize the situation In Mexico
and to act so as to prevent war. But
matters have dragged on until now we
are told the situation is so delicate
that we should not make declaration
Of this broad principle.
I'VE hesitate, as republic, and
rightfully so, to move to protect our
citizens because of fear that 1t will,
precipitate war. 1t is in your power at
the present time to prevent war. II
strong action had been taken by this
government two years ago it would
have prevented war A strong demand
upon Madero or De La Barra would
have prevented war.
Protection of American citizens
held for ransom and killed at that
time, extended through arms, if ne
cessary, would have prevented, instead
of precipitated war. This policy of the
United States of delay, in the hope
that something might happen, is re.
sponsible for the present situation.
Prompt and strong action would have
avoided the necessity for such de.
claration as is proposed here
Nothing has been done to protect
American citizens in Mexico" declared
Fall
Bacon declared the facts did not
warrant such a statement, but that
under the Taft and Wilson admins
trations the state department had told
him Of constant diplomatic effort to
insure protection for Americans and
their property.