The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-14
MEDIATION RATHER
THAN INTER VENTION
is URGED UPON TAFT
Director General of the Pan
American Union Advo-
Gates Peaceful Action
IMMEDIATE PEACE
is WHAT Is NEEDED
Intervention Would PrOlong HOSTILE
ties--Suggests That Bryan or
Root BE Appointed to Treat
With Warning Factions

Root BE Appointed to Treat
With Warning Factions
Washington. February i3.--Mcdintlon
In Mexico. rather than intervention, by
the appointment of n Pan-Amcrfcan
commission WINS urged today Hpon
President TAFT. senator Cuiiom. of the
foreign relations committee, and Rem
resentafise Flood 0f the foreign affairs
committee by John barrett, director
general of the Pan-American union.
The commission. which, it Is suggested.
should seek TO bring about a readiusl-
nlent OF Mexican affairs would be COM
posed Of statesman from the United
states an eminent Latin-American dip
lomat now in Washington and an innu-
entail Mexican. Mr. Barrett suggested
for the commission such men as Senator
Root or William J. Bryan. senior calds'-
on, minister from Bolivia, or Dr. Pena.
minister from Uruguay and Senior DO
La Barra OF Mexico former ambassador
to the United States.
/ The mediation proposal was made after
conferences with members Of the senate
and House and following renewed as
suranees from the state department that
there is no present intention of depart
Ing from the established policy Of deal
ing with the situation in Mexico.
Mediation Is Needed
In his letter outlining the plan Mr.. Bar
rett says that "it involves mediation rath-
er than Intervention, International Amer
lean corporation, rather than individiml
United States action and a practical ap-
! ploation of the Pan.Ameriean rather on
the Monroe aotume
The commission. he suggests should IN.
vestigate the situation in Mexico on the
ground and make recommendations 10
Mexico which shall readjust the situation
In favor of permanent peace aud sta
bility."
Through Ambassador Wilson in Mexico
City the plan would be presented to the
Mexican government and to the revo-
lutionary leaders who would be urged to
cease hostilities pending the action and
report of the committees and il should be
made known to the Mexican government
and people that they would be expectcd.
with this moral support and interest OF
all America to carry ont tile conclr-
sions OF sucf international commission
III Latln-America and Mexico fail to
act on this suggestion" says Mr. Bar
rett. they still win be Obliged TO admit
that the United States has first tried to
proceed on the fairest lines possible ana
with every effort TO convince Latin-Amer-
ica aud Mexico Of its good faith and n-
tentions.
Bring Immediate Peace
Above all things. he added 1T will
bring for the moment immediate peace
to Mexico the actual protection of life
aud property of foreigners. which should
in due time develop into permanent peace.
stability and prosperity for the Mexican
government and people. without striking
blow at Mexieos Independence. and
with evidence to all America that the
United States seeks no territorial ag
grandizement.
Mr. Barrett expresses the opinion that
this government would lind the Latin
American governments in sympathy with
this plan; that the selection of either
Senator Root or Air. Bryan would be
satisfactory in Mexico and other Latin
American countries. as well as in the
United States and that the other possible
members whom he named likewise would
be agreeable to all concerned.
Except to prosecute a few inquiries Al
some of the coast cities With a view 10
learning What water transportation could
be secured from private ship owners, IN
ubn 10
port more than the First brigade of the
regular army To Mexican waters, the
military agency of the government rest
ed today satisfied with preparations al
ready made to meet any emergency.
Protecting Foreign Life
For the present The entire efforts OF
the administration are being concentrated
on protecting foreign life and property
in the Mexican capital without actual
forcible Intervention which the President
Is determined TO avoid until the last ex-
tremity. Ambassador Wilson is acting
under Instructions of that character ami
1t was in pursuance Of that plan that
he was given a credit of $1,000 10 defray
the expense OF removing. sheltering and
feeding helpless Americans and presuin-
ably other distressed foreigners from the
scene OF hcstilties. Such action was
necessary because of reports from un-
Official sources IN Mexico TO tne eueNt
that many Americans who would willing
~ Quit the witty were prevented from
doing SO by lack Of funs to pay for
railroad transportation.
Admiral Fletcher In command of the
naval force now bound for Vera Cruz
aud Admiral Usher who will appear at
rampieo Within the next y hours, on his
flagship Virginia, viii act under sim
liar Instructions TO those which govern
Ambassador Wilson. These. while gem
eral ia scope. and not framed for this
particular occasion, are regarded as suf-
acient by Acting Secretary Winthrop. as
they are TO the effect that the American
Naval officers are to protect American in
ferests. This is generally understood BY
naval officers 70 warrant the commander
of a slip IN landing his marines or blue
Jackets at a port 10 suecor Americans in
distress there but not to authorize the
dispatch OF such a force into the In
terror Of the country without further spe-
Clai Instructions
Diplomatic Day brought an unusually
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