The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-02-15
Attitude May Be Changed.


Constantly there is danger that
some incident will occur thu, will
force a change of attitude on the part
OF our w government. though en-
tlrely against the will of President
Taft. The ambassadors latest advice
represented the condition of Ameri-
cans as well as other foreigners in the
Mexican capital as extremely precari-
II and deplorahlc. The American
embassy he describes as overcruwded
With refugees. In addition food sup
plies are running very low and it is
necessary for the ambassadors serv-
ants TO make sallies through the lines
of fire. into the suburbs of the city
to gather up food for the hungry. 1t
is understood that similar conditions
prevail in the other Legations, though
several OF these have been obliged to
find new homes.
Many Americans. the ambassador
reports. are displaying great courage
and a spirit of Self-sacritice, hut the
panic is still great. and an enormous
amount of property including several
large American apartment houses.
whose inmates were rescued with
great difficulty, have been destroyed.
Felerals Not Gaining.
MT. Wilson'S report at some points
is unfaNorable to the prospects of a
federal success, for he cites the case
OF a regiment which, to-
gether with the twentieth regular regi-
ment, had been %annihilated by the
revolutionists. Military experts have
also told the ambassador that, AL
though the federals were constantly
bringing up more troops, they were
apparently not gaining in strength,
owing to the constant loss in wounded
and disabled.
Inc american embassy constantly is
rushing automobiles through the firing
lines. almost between salvos, to pick
up sue Americans as remain in the
danger zone. The effort to remove
them all has not been fully successful
owing to h range Of fire and the linn
tied localities of refuge. An ominous
feature Is the extension Of assistance
TO the rerolutionists from some un-
known source. which may indicate the
actual purpose of the Zapatistas i'm the
city. with the resulting chances of
iootlng. outrages and rioting.
Train service between Mexico City
ana the remainder of the country is
reported practically cut off, with the
exception of the line To Vera Cruz. so
that the American embassy is almost
isolated from the c%onsulates. Mean
while, fresh revolutionary disturb
are reported in Tamaulipas and
other outlying states.
Unparalleled in Modern History.
The situation in the Mexican CAPT.
tai is regarded in military circles here
as unparalleled in modern history and
experts are astounded at the ammuni-
fl0n Cnllrr1c If tl,@
One army officer declared that the
United States army could not fight six
days. as the combatants in Mexico
have done, with all of the ammuni-
ton now on hand. Although theoreti-
cally equipped with 1000, 900 rounds
OF ammunition. for the three-inch
Held guns, there arc less than $50, 900
ROUNDS In T.. $. arsenals, while of the
'V'oo" rounds supposed to be available
Tor the siege guns. only $500 are in
sight. Moreover, about 1000 rounds
per day represent the entire maximum
product of U. S. ~arsenals.
A dlff1cult question, it was disclosed
Is likely I'd arise in connection with
the prospective claims of the Am,ri-
can Residents Of the City of Mexico for
pecuniary damages, growing out of
the street lighting.
May Justify Indemnity Claims.
Under ordinary rules Of information
al warfare. a government is not re-
sponslDle for damages sustained by in
dividuals beyond it's power to prevent,
ordinarily that would relieve the Ma
dero government from liability. But
that government has steadily refused
to admit that 1t is not strong enough
to extend full protection to foreigners,
tearing that a contrary admission
would involve the immediate issue of
neutrality proclamations by foreign
countries. which would cut off its sun.
ply of war material.
This attitude on the part Of the .x-
listing government of Mexico may JUS.
tify the presentation OF indemnity
claims, should Madcro prevail.
In the event that Diaz is successful
1t is pointed out that he could scarce.
~ successfully assert that he was not
directly responsible for the damage.
dealing hostilitics. nor that it was be.
You'd his control to prevent such dam.