The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-17
At Special Meeting of Cabi-
net Knox Is Directed to
Reply to the Message
of MaderO
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
TO SEEK PROTECTION
ON BOATS IN HARBOR
With Guns of Three Sea Monsters
Leveled Toward City, Refugees
Have Little to Fear-Details of
Conference at American EN-
basy to Consider Situation

Washington, February 17-Seoretary Of
State Knox was directed by President
Taft to reply early this morning TO the
request of President Francisco I. Madero
OF Mexico for a definite statement of the
policy of the United States toward A1exi-
co.
The cabinet, which was in session fer
more than two hours. adiourning at 12:lo
o'clock, spent the time discussing the
terms of the reply. Though no official
statement was given out it was declared
that Secretary Knox would state that the
attitude of this government would re-
main Just as it has been for two years
past
The exact nature of the reply was not
disclosed. and il was said that the note
would be dispatched to Madero at once
and probably would be made public later
| today.
Intervention Not Contemplated
! Upon leaving the White House Seere-
tary Knox reiterated that intervention
was not now contemplated, nor would
there be any change in the naval or mill
| tary plans relating to Mexico.
| After conference of an hour and q half
with Secretary of State I<nox
President TAFT called a special meeting of
the cabinet to discuss the late dis
patches from Mexico. The report from
Mexico City that the armistiee has
been declared off and that hostilitie.s
had been resumed caused intense in
terest among the cabinet officers.
| Mr. Knox laid before the President
a long resume Of reports from Mexico
lefty from Ambassador Wilson pictur-
/ in in 9f Al
the efforts of Madero to suppress 1t.
The proposed reply to this govern
ment 10 Madero's request to keep
hands OFF, and allow him to settle
with Diaz himself. also was eonsid-
cred.
Despite the alarming information,
that has continued to come into Wash
tinstoh Tor the hast few dass.zsnft- =
member of the Presidents cabinet ia
vored Intervention when summoned 10
tonights meeting. Most of the official
] family believes that the Mexican fac
tons will solve their own troubles ansi
are of the opinion that interferenee
by the United states is uncalTed for ut
this time.
Taft Is Disturbed
The President was plainly disturbed
to learn that communication between
Mexico and the United States was pre-
carious and that an apparently strict
lean authorities. Ills fear has been
that just such a condition might arise
and that Americans in Mexico City
might find themselves facing a situ-
alton like that which existed in Pekin
during the Boxer rebellion
There was little doubt expressed here
tonight that II a censorship Is being eA-
ercised this government will demand thar
| the communications from Ambassador
Wilson and it's replies shall be permitted
( TO go through without Interruption. Ii
docs not propose to nave the slender
! thread that connects the American col
ony with Washington interfered with for
ian instant
While the cabinet was in session Major
! General Wood, chief of staff of the army,
who returned today from Boston, WAS
busy I'm his office at the war department.
| The cabinet sti was in session at MIDI
night. President Taft requested all avail
| able information regarding the late devel-
opments and vas kept in touch with the
situation through the Associated Press.
Keen interest was expressed by mem
| bers of the cabinet in the report OF a
strict censorship at Mexico City,
! AT 1910 rhis morning Secretaries Slim
| son and Meyer left the cabinet meeting.
They directed The drivers of their cars to
take them to their homes. Neither would
! discuss the conference which continued.
, Messrs. Knox, Wickersham, MacVeagh,
| Hitchcock, Nasel ana flsner remaining
| with the President.
| At 12:i5 the cabinet meeting was adj
ionrned, the members fastening TO their
homes Each one declared that there had
been no change In the situation so far as
the attitude of this government was con-
cefned
General Wood upon leaving the war de-
partment before the cabinet meeting end
ed declared TINT no additional orders to
troops had been given. He said II was not
thought necessary to increase the patrol
on the Texas frontier at Laredo and
Brownsville as requested by Governor
colquitt of Texas,