The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-14
AT AmefIcans out OF the dans
Three YieMnnints

H"iH o't AAi1lieahs OUT OF the uanseI
zone.
Three Viewpoints
The President Is keeping in constant
touch with the situation from three points
of view From the diplomatic side. which
involves the actions of Ambassador VIII
son in making Representations to Presi-
dent Madero and General Diaz in The in
terest of the foreign life and property in
Mexico involved: from the naval point
OF view as il concerns the extent of the
activities of several thousand marines and
oluejackets who viii appear in the Mex
lean ports within the course of the nest
~ hours, composing the American eontin-
gent, and from the military standpoint
which involves determine tion of the
question as 10 when. il at all he shall give
the word for the entrainment of the First
brigade of the first division of the reor-
ganized army of regular troops. which
now lies under arms with l1napsaes packed
and emergency rations ready for an I'M
mediate departure.
Ambassador Wilson's course so far has
the unqualified approval of the adminis-
tration. though some of the army men
question his attempt TO stop hostiities.
Admitting that his aim was 10 pfoect
lives and property of Americans and other
foreigners they believe there will be less
bloodshed and speedy suppression Of
the rebellion IL the combatants are al
lowed to fight i ont with no Interference.
Knox Disagrees
Secretary Knox and his immediate adj
yisors. however. do not accept this point
of view. Though Instructions have been
sent to the ambassador to do everything
possible 10 induce the American residents
of Mexico city to yacate their homes fem
porarily at least, and go to some place OF
safety, yet there is no disposition TO crit
ieise Mr.. Wilson for his forcible represent
tations yesterday.
Prepared for a further call for battle
slips, the navy department has kept Ad-
Iniral Badger, commanding the Atlantic
fleet, at Guantanamo, advised of develop
ments. The ships with banked fires are
ready tomove at once to Vera Cruz or
Tampico.
The marine corps always ready is pre-
pared for immediate embarkation of its
companies at the Atlantic coast navy
yards and stations. The marine force on
the Panama canal zone is also ready to
move.
Telegrams to the war department from
the three posts in New York state, where
the regiments of the First Army brigade
are stationed. report that body of about
5000 are conditioned and ready to start
for Newport News within three hours
after an order from the chief of staff has
been received.
1t has been suggested to the President
that 1t might be prudent to dispatch the
First brigade to Vera Cruz at once, even
If the troops are to be kept aboard snip
indefinitely as were the 1000 marines ON
the Panther, who lay in san Domingo
harbor for more than a month last sum
mer. Because there is some fear that
such a gathering of a foreign military
force i'm their ports however, even though
not landed might inflame the Mexican re-
public to acts of violence against Amer
leans throughout the country, the author
tiles are hesitating in taking such an ac-
ton. Besides, 1t is held by some officials
that the dispatch of a military expedi-
tion of this kind might he construed as
an act of war, and the President is de-
termined to do nothing that could be re-
garded as an infringement of the consti-
tational privilege of Congress in that re-
spect.
Army and Navy
{ One Significant proceeding of the day
was the early assembly of the joint army
and navy board IN Admiral Dewey's head
quarters.
1t brought together at an opportune
time for consideration of joint use OF
the army and navy the highest ranking
officers of both services and the ablest
strategists.
Besides Admiral Dewey and Major Gen.
eral Wood the army and navy were rep
resented by Major General Wotherspoon,
assistant chief of staff; Brigadier General
Weaver chief of the coast artillery, and
Brigadier General Crozier, Rear Admirals
Osterhaus and Vreeland and Captain
Potts BY executive order this board is
charged with the preparation of plans for
the cooperation or the army and navy
when 1t becomes necessary to conduct
Joint operations either offensive or de-
1xafasvs 10
cret, and may be known only through
the resulting orders to ships and troops,
issued by the Secretaries of War and
navy. The board Is advisory in scope and
not capable of executing it's own pro-
jects.
Talks of Situation
President Taft talked about the situa-
ton with callers. He said he considered
the situation grave, and more so since the
addiction of Porfirio Diaz Those con-
ferring with Mr.. Taft declared the fact
he was to go out of office within the next
three weeks would have no weight IN de-
termining his action toward Mexico. They
declared the President was ready for ac-
ton up to the last moment of his admin
istration. In regard TO reports that Mr..
Taft had or would consult President-eiect
Wilson it was said that the President con-
sidered it a problem for himself until
l.
Officials here are alarmed. Acapulco
has been a storm center of revolutionists
for several weeks and the Denver was
protecting Americans there when the as
sassination of President Araujo of Sal
vador and the gathering of war clouds
over all Central America made 1t neces-
sary to send the cruiser to Ajutla, SAL
vador.
Representatives of the state department
feel the gravest concern for the safety
for Americans at Acapulco, pending the
arrival of the cruiser South Dakota, due
there Sunday.
American Houses Seized
The dispatches of Ambassador Wilson
report that many houses occupied by
Americans have been seized by federal
| troops and the occupants driven to the
streets.
| Homeless and exposed to the fire OF
both rebels and federals, the dismayed
refugees made their way at the risk OF
| their lives to the American embassy,
which is not open to all refugees.
Ambassador Wilson is now distributing
the majority among the adjoining houses.
L