The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-24

CHICAGO, Oct 23-The continuous
performance of revolutions in Mexico
for more than a decade has been the
result Of bitter fight between british
aud American oil interests for control
of the rich fields in the southern repuh-
lie. according 10 a story told today by
Henry Lane Wilson, the former Next
can Ambassador. Mr.. Wilson lis pay
ing a visit to a son who Will be gradn-
ated at the University Of Chicago NEXT
spring.
Let me say by way of preface" said
Mr.. Wilson. that this story is one the
accuracy Of which / do not vouch for
personally. IT Is current talk In Mex-
leo. and Is to some extent to be found
in the testimony which was taken be-
fore the Smith senatorial committee
investigating the Mexican situation,
and which has not so far been made
public.
Wilson's story.
"At the time of General Porfirio
Diaz's regime an English company
and wish te avoid names as far as
possible -controlied the oil situation
in Mexico. This company had all thu
concessions and contracts with the
railroads and also with the other oil
consumers controlled by the governs
msnt.
'+rhe benefits which it obtained for
this control were viewed with aisfavor !.
by other large oil concerns. Two OF
these were outsiders one with world
wide business manifestations land
guess you know which that isl. and
the other a subsidiary of this larger
company. contributed with influence
and money to the overthrow OF Por-
hrio Dinz.
"As result of the aid these two
companies had furnished Madero, they
took leading position in the oil in
dustry of Mexico. They then got all
the concessions and contracts and tina
English company fell outside tho
breastworks.
Shift In Lineup
'Tn the meantime the larger Amerf-
can oil concern ceased TO hold reIa-
lions win is subsidiary company in
Mexico and ii identified itself with tha
company which had been hampered by
the Madero government This new AL
lance in its turn began to intrigue
against the government of Madero and
to furnish arms and ammunition for his
overthrow.
"In the meantime the revolution In
the city of Mexico. In which the oil
companies had no part, took place. but Il
1t was in a measure originated and
aided by Spauiards. The unfavored oil i
COM pftuitS were tluAtk W Aaht dtiNdH>
tage of the situation. and In the cartier
stages contributed materially to the b
establishment of the prestige of Huerta
and the new Mexican administration
abroad,
Again the pendulum swung out-
ward, however, and now, according to j
the story told by many well posted per-
sons, we find the agents of the oil COM
panies which were favored under Ma
dara fa,r ir,er tn N
Outlook Grave.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.--So deli
cate does the president find the Mex
lean situation in the latest aspect
that today he declined to discuss il
with his callers. The president even
went so far as TO request that no
questions regarding Mexico be adj
dressed to him. This Is the first oe-
caslon since he has been in office lrak
the president has refused to answ@r I
questions regarding the Mexican sst-ss
uation The presidents action creatsse
a profound impression here. 1T was
regarded as indisputable evidence
that the administration regards thA
Mexican situation more seriously than
has hitherto been suspected
To avoid a further embarrassing
discussion Of the sharp reioInfer nf Y
9itdt u <AIAIskS>staAtt e-ss1 -
inquiries as to British policy in Mex
hco is believed to be the object ut 4
the PRESIDENTS embargo on discussions
of the subject at the White House.
II was declared today that no nrgnsss
tiations are In progress between kftaTy
United States and other governmente
in regard to Mexico.
Split May Widen III
The split between the Entfea
States and apparently all Europe
Continued on seventh E&xssl s3ls5