Evening journal., 1913-07-23

MAY REPEAL
NEUTRALITY
Drastic Step Considered by
United States to End
Mexican Rebellion
SOME RELUCTANT
TO TAKE THE STEP
By The Unlted Presg.

10y Inc inlicO fIchh.
WASHINGTON, July 2S.-Repeal OF
neutrality laws with Mexico, which
lnow prevent the constitutionalists or
other insurrectos from securing arms
land ammunition, is being seriously
considered by President Wilson and
his advisers. Il was learned on the
highest authority today.
The President planned to call con-
ference OF Senate and House leaders
this afternoon TO consider this drastic
step in the Mexican situation. Repre-
sentative Flood. chairman Of the House
foreign affairs committee. and Senator
, Bacon, chairman of the Senate foreign
relations committee, had appointments
lat the White House to discuss the
Legislative aspects Of the Mexican de-
lvelopmcnts.
Effect of the annulment Of the
neutrality laws. Il Is admitted, would
be TO put guns and powder in prac-
itically unlimited quantities into the
b hands os those opposing the Huerta
rule. The administration is reluctant
TO take this step because of the cer-
tainty Of increased bl0odahed and add
4 ed strife IN Mexico But close adj
p visors OF the President are urging
p, such action in a spirit OF fair play.
! They contend that by making muni-
r tions OF war contraband, this gov
E crnment Is defeating the very object
OF the neutrality laws; that by de-
. priving the Constitutionalists Of op-
b. portunity 10 secure munitions they are
o thus actively aiding Huorta.
5, If this government rs not to recog-
|. nize tho Huerta regime in all fair
" ness, these Democratic leaders main
tain. aid should not be given Huerta
A by depriving his foes Of arms and
" ammunition through enforcement of
I'd the neutrality laws. Their opera
" tion. II is declared, affords Hucrtas
provisional government every chanca
% TO secure munitions while denying
ri equal rights 10 his foes.
There is now in force a neutrality
4 pact with Mexico entered into dur
ID, ing the Taft administration. which
=" prohibits tho importation OF war
iH munitions into the republic Prcsl
u. dent Taft also issued a neutralit,
M proclamation. under which many
IN seizures of cartridges and rifles fol
a. Mexican insurrectos were seized.
~. Repeal Of the proclamation coull
n be effected by executive order. bu
"a. annnlmcnt Of the neutrality laws a.
10 lfectlng Mexico would require action
~ BY both the Senate aud the House.
Complaints from the Americans m
/. Mexico OF property and personal out
!. ragcs arc flooding tho State Department.
q Numerous congressman are continually
- presenting appeals from American prop
!, erty owners in Mexico. Ono today WAS
presented by Representative Kahn oi
California in behalf of Californians own.
!, ing large plantations nc Mercedes in To-
~ basco state. The Calfornians declared
, that their loss was S250.00O; that sew
T. cral towns had been sacked" that their
= plantation buildings burned and laborers
l. driven Of. Americans at the ranches
~ barely escaped with their lives. it was
T. stated and the governor of Tobasco--
the Hucrta representative-has no
e troops whatever TO protect lives or prop
erty
Senator Pomcrene had conference with
the President today and submitted that
It concerned Mexico. Because OF his
~ place on the foreign relations commit
tee however. he refused TO state the
Iis exact nature of his conversation with
er the President
)r. Fragmentary advices regarding
OF Mexican affairs we're received today
is by the State Department. Regarding
the critical situation at MADEIRA, where
Is. a score of Americans are reported IN
ne great danger, the department heard
Ia. that the trouble originated in an at
he tack by American cowboys on Mexi-
rs. can cattle thieves. The Mexicans
he we're ambushed and two killed and
VI. others taken prisoners.
nd The State Department adyices state
es. Continued On Second Page.