Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-28
His Seeking Refuge on Ameri-
can Warship 0vershadows
Other News.
U. S. WITHIN ITS RIGHTS
IN GIVING HIM ASYLUM
Only Sign of Complication Rests in
Fact That He Is an Of
ficer Of Army.

The furnishing by the United States of
asylum to Gen. Felix Diaz on board the
ganboat Wheeling off Vera Cruz over
shadowed all other developments in the
Mexican situation today Confirmation
Of press dispa atches was received in an
official telegram from Rear Admiral
fletcher to the Navy Department this
morning. The question of what attitude
his government will take was Immediate
~ placed before Secretary of State
Bryan, but no decision is expected until
after the return to Washington of Presi-
dent Wilson tonight. The telegram from
Admiral Fletcher was forwarded to the
President
The sunboat Wheeling because OF her
light draft, has been held at Vera Cruz
with the single purpose of affording
refuge to political fugitives as well as Of
ficials of the American embassy or other
Americans or foreigners who might be
in distress The Wheeling was chosen or
that particular purpose because she was
able to approach the shore at Vera Cruz
whereas the big battleships under Rear
! Admiral Fletchers command. have been
obliged to anchor about six miles out
| from the city.
Precedents Are Plentiful.
Officials here say there is no question
whatever of the right of naval COM
! mander to extend asylum to such fug-
tive as Diaz, and there have been many
precedents to support such action.
In South American countries. and nota-
bly, in Chile and in Peru. where in recent
years the right of asylum has been
claimed and exercised. it has always
been found possible for the American
minister or consul to secure from the tit
uiar government a pledge of safe con-
duct FOR the fugitives from their place of
hiding to the American ship.
in the case OF Diaz, however. it is
believed that the Washington govern
ment was prepared to go further and
to furnish Il marine guard. basing such
action on assertion OF extra territorial au-
thority the general allegation of
the existence of state Of practical
anarchy recognized by International
law as "a sufficient warrant for the
exercise of such precautions.
it is presumed that once on the Wheel
| ing Gen. Diaz would be soon transported
to one of the battleships in the lower har-
| bor to remain until he oan be tranSfeffesl
!, to one. Of the merchant steamers bound
for another port.
Still Officer Of Army.
officials pointed out. was that the HUI
erta government might raise question
over the fact that Diaz is a brisadier gem
eral in the Mexican army. Ills resgna-
ton recently rendered to Huerta was not
accepted.
How far such a circumstance might ell
ter into the situation was regarded as
interesting. but officials here without ad-
vices of any sort other than new. dis
patches. We're of opinion that Consui
Canada and Pear Admiral Fletcher were
within their rights In extending asylum
to Diaz as a political refugee.
Several messages from Charge G'Af-
faires o Shaughnessy at Mexico City con-
| tanned no mention of the Diaz incident.
The policy of the United states in re-
cent years has been to guard very jeal-
ously the extension Of the right of asy
lum, and it's efforts have been gener
ally directed toward greatly restricting
such rights. At one time it was pro-
posed to secure an international agree
ment abrogating the right Of asylum
to political refugees. but that move
ment did not succeed.
The latest position of the government
as now applied to the situation at Vera
Cruz by Rear Admiral Fletcher is laid
down in the naval regulations as follows:
Text of Naval Regulation.
other refugees has no foundation I'm in
where frequent instructions occur, and
constan; instability of government exists.
usage sanctions the granting of asylum
out even in tho waters of such countries
officers should refuse all Applications Tor
asylum except when required by the In
terests of humanity in extreme excep-
tioual cases, such as the pursuit of "a
refugee Ivy a mob. Officers must not di-
rectly nor Indirectly invite refugees to
accept asylum.
John Lind President Wilson's personal
representative at Vera Cruz, had been
instructed to offer asylum TO any citizen
of Mexico or any foreigner who might be
In danger Acting under such instruc-
tions, Mr.. Lind might have greater free
dom of action than a naval officer bound
by regulations.
Officials here. however have made 1t
plain, within the last few days that they
were prepared to give refuge to Diaz, for
Secretary Bryan in response to Il direct
question recently declared that the Amer
lean government would give asylum to
Diaz or any other person in danger who
asked for it. 1t was pointed out that had
former President Madero taken refuge
in the American embassy in Mexico City
he would have been protected.
Diaz's Step Anticipated.
Officials here We're convinced that Diaz
was contemplating putting himself under
the protection of the United States when
he went recently under guard to a hotel
adjoining the American embassy His
determinat ton to remain in the citv over
Sunday was due to his presidential can
ddacy and a requirement of the Mexican
constitution that presidential candidate
be in Mexico on election day
Admiral Fletcher's message was dated
today on board the battleshp Louisiana
1t follows:
AT 7:30 pm. Monday American con
sui reported Mexican Gen. Felix Diaz
and two friends we're in the consulate and
were given asylum. At / am. Tuesday
Diaz and two friends. with Williams,
American correspondent New York Her
aid, got on board the Wheeling. All
asked for protection. VIII hold them
awaiting instructions from Washington as
TO their disposition
The reported appeal of the French min
lister III Mexico City to Charge OfShaugh- |
messy for an American warship to pro- |
tect the French colony at San Ignacio. |
Sinaloa. had not reached Washington to-
day, but if such request has been made |
it probably will be granted.
The cruiser Maryland Is due today at |
Mazatlan, Sinaloa. The cruiser CaIifor-
MIA is at Guaymas with the supply ship
Glacier and the cruiser Pittsburgh leaves
San Francisco for the Mexican Pacific