The Washington herald., 1913-02-13
PREPARATIONS
FOR WAR RUSHED
Continued from Page One.

Continued from Page One.
bers.. There remains only the OPENING
of the saloons and cafes to transform
the Mexican capital into a Paris in tbs
hands of a mob.
An uprising among the lower classes
| II is feared, will precipitate a clash he
! tween the foreigners and the natives.
with consequences of the most dis
astrous nature. The American quartar
lis guarded tonight by American citi-
Eens volunteers. who are heavily arm
| ed. The appearance of a mob bent on
| loot In that part OF the city Is regarded
by the administration as just the kind
Of occurrence which might easily prove
to be the spark to start general anti
foreign confiagration. A further COM
plication to the situation is furnished
by the double obligation of the United
J States government to not only AmsaScan
| citizens. but TO other foreigners as well.
recognition of this added responsibility
Of the United States was contained in
the statement ISSUED by President Taft
at O'Clock yesterday morning. Last
night, 1t was further admitted that more
than one representative of a foreign
government had called at the State De-
| in the progress of events in Mexico
City. The significance OF these calls. and
what State Department officials term
the casual inquiries of the foreign dip.
lomats Is too clear to escape notice In
Washington. They were on all sides
interpreted as courteous reminders upon
the part Of other governments that some
action is expected Of the United States
government II affairs in Mexico City con-
tinue to grow more menacing.
President In Philadelphia.
Last night President Taft and most
of the members of the Cabinet were in
Philadelphia, but the President was
hourly informed of the latest informa-
ton from Mexico City. Secretary of State
Knox and Secretary Of War Stimson re-
mained in the city and will keep closely
in touch with whatever may occur. Of
ficials Of the Department of State waited
anXiously at their offices for dispatches
from Ambassador Wilson, while officers
of the Army and Navy stood constantly
in readiness
1t was made clear during the night
that the administration feels that IL has
done all that it can do in the present
stage of the Mexican situa ton. The bat
tleship Virginia, with Rear Admiral
Usher on board. is rushing to Tampico
The battleships Vermont. Nebraska, and
Georgia are en- route 10 Vera Cruz, with
Rear Admiral Fletcher in command. The
ships going to Vera Cruz can spare to-
gether 5000 men. II 1t is found necessary
to send bluejackets and marines ashore
upon arrival at the Mexican port. Four
transports of the army. the Mcclellan.
Sumner, Fitzpatrick. and Meade have
been placed in commission at Newport
News and are ready 10 take on board
1900 soldiers. The first brigade, first di-
vision. comprising the Third, Fifth. and
Twenty-ninth regiments of infantry. all
quartered in posts in New York State.
are under orders 10 be rCadE 10 leave for
Newport News on short notice. Practi-
caly the entire army within the con-
tinental limits IF the United States is
likewise IN readiness to moboliZe on the
Atlantic Coast or on the Mexican border
on short notice.
These steps OF a military nature which
We're taken Yesterday were decided upon
with view to but a very limited opera
tion in Mexico. The ships being sent TO
Mexican waters are primarily for the
purpose of merely affordinG a place Of
refuge for Americans and other foreign
ers who may feel that flight is the only
safe course for them to pursue. The
naval commanders may go one step fur
ther. however, and land forces at Vera
Cruz and Tampico for the purpose of
maintaining a means of egress from
Mexico City to the gulf ports. President
already undesignatcd to reinforce the
men of the navy.
No Invasion; Only Relief.
Further than this. it can be authorita-
lively stated. President Taft will not go
on his own responsibility. He draws a
sharp line between sending relief forces
to assist Americans out OF the danger
zone in Mexico and the sending of a
largc military. and naval force for the
purpose Of invading Mexico and attempt !
ing to PIT a stop to the frightful disor
ders in The caLitsl and many other PARTS
OF that country. This latter action he
will not attempt to take without putting
the whole matter before Congress. and
leaving il II that body TO decide whether |
the United States shall embark upon |
Mexican policy which every military
man and every diplomatic official knows I!
full well would mean a long and costly |
war with Mexico. As matter of fact. |
the :acG of funds available for financing |
a descent upon Mexico requires that even |
IL for no other reason Congress must de- |
eide what must be done.
The highest officials of the administra- !
tion greatly deprecate all talk of armed |
invasion Of Mexico under the name uf |
intervention. They declared that the |
gravCst consciousness might be brought |
down upon the ration IL loose talk about |
Intervention were INDUCED in at this |
critical moment The fear was OK |
pressed that hasty and ill-considered ut
terances in the United States might |
arouse the deepest resentment III Mexico |
and transform the existing .internecine
warfare into Il general onslaught upon
Americans wherever found in Mexico.
Members of the Presidents official /
family took pains to point out that
grave as is the present situation, there
has been thus far TO Intentional mo-
lestation Of foreigners as such Even the
shellinS OF the American consulate in
the fighting 0f Tuesday was declared 70
be purely the result OF accident, the To-
cation OF that building being between
the lines Of artillery fire and not at all
due To premeditated attack upon
American citizens or the official ropre-
sentatives Of the United States govern
ment The leaders of both :he contend
ing factions have profeSsed their earnest
desire 10 protect American life and prop-
nrty, though in tSe last few hours ud-
nitting their inability to do SO
Americans Fully Warned.
That the administration expects not
,nly Americans but other foreigners to
get out of the way OF firing In Mexico
-lty was made plain tonight The
and even killing of Americans
whose curiosity may overcome their dis
'retion will not be sufficient to induce