The Mena weekly star., 1913-02-20
HANDS OFF" IS
 POLICY CHOSEN
Late Cabinet Meeting Sees Ne Im- mediate Cause for United States InterventiOn-Peac Seems
 to Be No Nearer.

Washington, Feb. i6.-"Hands off'' Mexico for the present was the de- cision of President Taft and his cabinet, reached at a prolonged ses- sion which lasted until the early hours of this morning.
 MT. Taft and seven of his advis- CTS gathered in the White House after reviewing the situation, and particularly the proposal of an ar mistice in Mexico City, during which non-combatants are to be re- moved with the creation of neu- tral zone for the American embassy, determined to reaflirm the non-in- tervention attitude of the United States, but meanwhile keeping the army and navy ready for instant ac- tion.
 Secretary Hilles gave out the fol- lowing statement:
 At meeting of the cabinet to- night various dispatches from Mexi- co were considered and it was de- cided that the information so far received afforded no basis for a change in the policy of the govern ment of the United States, already indicated many times in the last two years"
 Damage Is Great.
 The Diaz revolution in Mexico has now dragged out full week; has resulted in great loss of life, enor- nous damage to property, has in- volved the United States in a great deal of expense through the dis patch of warships to southern wat CTS, for the purchase of large quan- titles of supplies for troops and the commissioning of transports. Yet officials were ready to confess that peace seemed no nearer than it did last Sunday night. Military men be- lieve that if Diaz had pressed his advantage that day instead of in- trenching himself in the arsenal, he would have prevailed before dawn of Monday.
 Wilson Is Sustained.
 Ambassador Wilson is being sus- tained in his efforts to remove Americans and foreigners from the danger zone in the Mexican capital, and, if need be, the draft of $i0,000 already made in his favor will re- ceive additions. The state depart ment has not commented upon MT. Wilson's declination to accept the invitation of Madero to transfer the American embassy to better and safer quarters. But it is well un- derstood that should it become ab- solutely necessary to include the American embassy in the theater of war and the military emergency arises demanding vacation of the premises, the ambassador must yield and remove his embassy.
 The day closed with officials here anxiously awaiting an outcome of the efforts to terminate the week long battle through the good offices of Senor De La Barra and the Span- ish minister, Cologan de Cologan.
 Are Denied Ammunition.
 President Madero, as well as Gen DiaZ, is denied arms and ammuni- tion from the United States. This necessarily adds to the desperation of the federals. The American government is rigidly enforcing the neutrality proclamation issued by President Taft several months ago.
 Under the proclamation the presi- dent forbade, by authority of con gress, the exportation of munitions of war to the Mexican republic. Il has been the policy of the president however, to except eXportation de- stined for the federal army or pri- vate interests, provided he was as- sured they would not fall into the hands of rebels.
 Because of the terrific battle iu Mexico City and the strong position of the rebels, no such assurance can be given, and consequently the neutrality ban is being enforced against the whole state of Mexico which includes the federal district and fha aanital pitU