The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-28
UNDER u. s. FLAG.
tcontinued from Page One,

| (CsOntfnUed from rage one
ment was prepared to go farther if
| necessary and to furnish marine
! guard, basing such an assertion OF
| extra territorial authority on the gen.
eraI allegation of the existence of a
| state of practical anarchy, recognized
! by international law as sufficient
warrant for the exercise of such pre-
cautions. 1t is presumed that once on
the Wheeling, General Diaz would
be soon transported to one of the bat
tIeships in the lower harbor, to re-
main until he can be transferred to
one of the merchant steamers bound
for another port.
One of the possibilities in the situa-
ton, officials pointed out, was that the
Huerta government might raise
question over the fact that Diaz is
brigadier general in the Mexican
army His resignation, recently ten
dered to Huerta, was not accepted
How far such circumstance might
enter into the situation was regarded
as interesting, but officials here with
out any advices other than news dis
patches, were of the opinion that Con-
sui Canada and Rear Admiral Fetch
er were within their rights in extend
ing asylum to Diaz a political refu-
gee.
Several messages from Charge
O'Shaughnessy at Mexico City con-
tanned no mention of the Diaz incl
dent.
1t Is Up to Bryan.
Washington Oct. -2S.-Rear. Admiral
Fletcher, in command of the squadron
at Vera Cruz, reported the presence OF
Felix Diaz and his party as refugees
on the gunboat Wheeling, in an off1-
cial dispatch received at the navy de-
partment this morning. The depart
ment called on the state department
to decide what disposition is to be made
of the fugitives.
The Right of Asylum.
Washington, Oct. 2S.-The policy
of the United States in recent years
has been to guard very jealousy the
extension of the right of asylum and
it's efforts have been generally direct
ed toward greatly restricting such
rights. The latest position of the gov
eminent as now applied to the situa-
ton at Vera Cruz by Rear Admiral
Fletcher and laid down in the naval
regulations is as follows:
THE right of asylum for political
or other refugees has no foundation
in international law. In countrier, |
however, where frequent insurrec- |
lions occur, and constant instability !
of government exists usage sanctions i
the granting of asylum, but, even in !
the waters of such countries, officers (
should refuse all applications for asy- !
1um except when required by the in |
terestS of humanity in extreme or eX- |
ceptional cases, such as the pursuit !;
of a refugee by a mob. officers must |
not directly or indirectly invite refu- |
gees to accept asylum
John Lind, at Vera Cruz, has been
instructed to offer asylum to any cit |
izen of Mexico or any foreigner who |
might be in danger. Acting under |
such instructions Mr.. Lind might
have greater freedom of action than
naval officer bound by regulations.
Officials here have made if n1aiT1
within the last few days that they
were prepared to give refuge to DiaZ,
for Secretary Bryan in response to a
direct question recently declared that
the American government would give
asylum to Diaz or any other person in
danger who asked for it. 1t was
pointed out that had former Presi-
dent Madero taken refuge in the
American embassy in Mexico City he
would have been protected.
How 1t Came About.
Vera Cruz, Oct 2S.-General Diaz,
with Jose Sandoval and Cecilio Ocon,
dropped over a low wall and made
their way into one of the rear rooms
of the consulate.
When they arrived inside the room
they asked that Consul William w.
Canada be called. Apparently suffer-
ing from great excitement they assur-
ed him that their lives were in i'm
minent danger. They declared they
arrests had been issued and that they
begged for his protection In reply,
Consul Canada pointed to the water
front some 200 yards distant. There's
a launch there he said. You'd bet
ter make a run for it.
The fugitives hesitated for some
tine to make the venture, as the street
N front of the American consulate
was patrolied by detectives
When they finally left the door of
he consulate the detectives on duty
did not recognize them and
hey walked deliberately through the
street to the pier, where they present
I'd a card from Consul Canada to the
officer in command of the launch. The
American naval officer hurried them
IN board the launch, cast off, steamed
Iuiclxly across the harbor to the
Wheeling and put them on board. The !
detectives in front of the hotel and
bout the street were still watching the
place long after daylight.
Gen Mas Is Amused.
Vera Cruz, Oct. 28.-Genera1 Gus
avo Mas, commander of the federal !
roops at Vera Cruz appeared today to
re amused more than provoked by the
.ction of General Felix Diaz in taking &