The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-17
TAFT WILL WAIT
His Reply to MaderO's Plea Not
to Intervene.
But He's Convinced. "Duty Is
Relief of Situation"

Washington, Feb. 17.-President Taft's
reply to Madero's appeal to withhold
American Intervention sent by tele-
graph was made public by Secretary
Knox today as follows.
From your eXcellency's telegram
which reached me the 14th, it appear
ed that your excellency was somewhat
misinformed as to the policy of the
United States towards Mexico which
has been uniform for two years or as
to the naval or other measures thus
far taken which are measures of ma
tionaI precaution. The ambassador
telegraphed that when you were good
enough to show him your telegram to
me he pointed out this fact.
your excellency must, therefore, be
aware that the reports which appear
to have reached you that orders have
already been given to land forces, were
inaccurate. The ambassador, who is
fully informed, is nevertheless again
instructed to afford you any desirable
information. Fresh assurances of
friendship to Mexico are unnecessary
to two years of proof of patience and
good Will.
I'm view of the special friendship and
relations between the two countries
cannot too strongly impress upon your
excellency the vital Importance of
early establishment of that real peace
and order which this government has
so long .4oped to see, both because
American citizens and their property
must be protected and respected and
also because this nation sympathizes
deeply with the Affections of the Mexi-
can people.
In reciprocating the anxiety shown
by your excellency's message l feel
it my duty to add sincerely and with
out reserve that the course of events
during the past two years eliminating
+tn
ton creates in this country extreme
pessirnism and the conviction that the
present paramount duty is the prompt
relief of the situation.
(Signed) WILLIAM H. TAFT
Madero's Plea to Taft.
President Madero's message to Pres
ident Taft Saturday asking the Amer
lean government not to intervene was
as follows:
"I have beer informed that the gov
ernment over which your excellency
ports of Mexico war vessels with troops
to disembark and come to this capital
to give guarantees of safety to Ameri-
cans.
Undoubtedly the information which
you have and which led you to take
this action is inexact and exaggerated,
for the lives of Americans in this cap
ital are at present in no danger if they
will abandon the zone of fire and con-
centrate in certain points of the city
or it's suburbs where tranquility is alb
solute and where the government can
give all classes guarantees.
IF you order American residents
here to do that, following the precedent
established by your own orders previ-
ously issued, danger TO the lives of
Americans ana other foreigners will be
obviated. Regarding what material
damage ma. be suffered by foreigners,
this government is ready to accept all
responsibility according to the obliga-
tions of international law.
consequently, i ask your excel
lency to order your men of war not
to disembark troops in Mexico, as this
act will cause a confiagration and ter
rible consequences of more extent
than the ones we have to contend with
at present.
81 assure your excellency that this
government is taking all measures
necessary in order that the rebels in
the arsenal will do the least harm
possible to lives and property in the
capital and 1 have hopes that every
thing will be peacefully arranged in
a very short time.