Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-07-18
NEW TURN IN
MEXICAN AFFAIRS
Administration is Facing
Problem in Storm Toss
ed Country. :.
CABINET MET TODAY
President Wilson Will be conserva-
tive Pending Arrival Of H. L. Will
son From Troubled Zone.

Washington, July 1S.-Considera-
tion of the Mexican situation is be-
lleved to be occupying much of the
time of the Presidents cabinet at it's
meeting this morning although it is
believed that, pending the return to
this country of Henry Lane Wilson
the American Ambassador to Mexico,
and his conference with the President,
the cabinet is not disposed to advise
radical change of policy on the part
of the administration toward the
questions of recognition or interven-
dion.
Prior to the meeting of the cabinet,
Secretary Bryan, who returned this
morning from his Chautauqa lecture
at Mountain Lake, Park, Md, had a
conference with the President re-
garding the Mexican situation.
The new turn in Mexican affairs,
brought about by the insistence of
Germany, with the APPARENT backing
of other powers, that this country
take steps toward the settlement of
. the troubles south of the Rio Grande,
is one of the most difficult situations
the administration has been called up
on to face.
From whatever angle the situation
is viewed, it is filled with possibilities
Of a grave sort.
The fact that the European powers.
are demanding action by this govern
ment has given small surprise to
those who have been following the
trend of Mexican affairs The only
question has been when the European
government would take this stand.
That they would eventual ytake it,
unless peace and order were restored
below the border, has been generally
anticipated in Washington, whether in
army, Congress, or well-informed off,
! cial circles:
The fact that the United States
could not insist ON the Monroe doc
zine and escape its responsibilities
and that these responsibilities in the
case of great nation like Mexico, in
volvea in civil strife and disorder
were bound to be heavy has been OBJ
vious. y
Whichever way this government
turns, the outlok is embarrassing
Public. sentiment here does >not look
kindly on the recognition of the
bloody. government of Huertas Yet
the indications are that if this gov
ernment does not recognize Huerta,
the republic will be hurried into still
Observation-Disclosures than it is in now.
From many quarters among Ameri-
cans i'm Mexico and in this country,
demand for recognition of Huerta is
strong. On the other hand, many in
sist that even if recognized the HUI
erta government is doomed to fall,
and there is much to support this
view.
From the STANDPOINT Of expediency;
if not of morals and ethics, the chief
thing this country and ;other nations
desire is restoring of order in Mexi-
CO.. But the difficulty is that nc
course this government can take
promises such restoration of order fo,
wears to come. It canot be done by
words, APPARENTLY either by recog.
milton or ;non-recognition. The United
States might back track to the
Monroe doctrine and tell European
powers to go ahead and do what the!
could to bring about peace in Mexico
but this course seems out OF ques
ton. if the. feeling of the people
regarded.
inrnotsgv-lsh rmht mht mht mhtm
When it comes to intervention
. which is only another name for in
yasion, and forcible restoration 0
reace, the results of such a polio
have deplorable prospects Yeare o
armed occupation would resultif tn
American troops crossed the Ri
Grande. Moreover, there would, in
tbe opinion of some of the best in
informed military men, be much hes
yier fighting than generally suppo!
ed, to say nothing of months an
vaars.. of guerilla operations.