El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-12-13
Strict Neutrality Is Being
Tried in Republic Of
MexicO's Crisis.


Continued from previous page)
Nexico's nearest friend" and empha-
sizing the fact that other governments
expected the United States to act IN
that capacity, Mr.. Lind held several
conferences with senior GamDoa the
Mexican minister Of foreign relations,
and was received by provisional presl-
dent Huerta- As a basis for ccmposure
of the difficulties he laid, by direction
Of president Wilson, these proposals
before the Huerta government:
An immediate cessation Of fight
ing throughout Mexico, a definite arm
istice solemnly entered into and scrup-
ulOusIy observed.
"B-Security given for an early and
free election in which all will agree TO
aC.EThe consent Of general Huerta
to bind himself not to be g candidate
for election as president OF the repup-
lie at this election; and
'D.-The agreement Of all parties 70
abide by the result Of the election ana
cooperate in the most loyal way in or
ganizing and supporting the new ad-
ministrauOn."
All Are Rejected.
These proposals were rejected. Pres
ident Wilson attributed their rejection
10 the belief Of the Mexican govern
ment that Mr. Wilson was a minority
president and that his Mexican policy
was probably not endorsed or sup
ported by a majority Of the American
people.
The note refusing the proposals was
written by senior Gamboa- In SuaNe
sarcasm and innuendo he had all the
best Of the straightforward inStruc-
lions which Mr.. Lind laid before him
as defining the Intentions OF the United
States. Senior GambOa fatty denied
president Wilson's statement that the
Huerta government was losing instead
rnN 1rr1r control n
assurance Of disinterested American
friendship he returned suggestion
that the Washington government pre-
vent the giving Of aid to the reVOlu-
tionists from the American side of the
line President Wilson, he declared,
was under e serious deluston # ne
thought Mexico was not olscharglng
its internal obligations. AS to the pro-
posaIs for an armtstice, senior GambOa
said that no armistice could be ar
ranged with bandits" his description
Of the constitutiOnalists- He found
himself unable TO agree to the request
for president Huerta's elimination OF
himself as q candidate. This might
be interpreted as a matter Of personal
dislike" he wrote
Seeks Recognition.
IN reply TO president Wilson's in
0uzry whether Mexico could suggest
sny step whereby the United States
might assist the restoration Of peace,
senior GambOa suggested an immediate
have been equivalent to recognition ana
probably would have ended the press
ing financial difficulties OF the Mex
lean government President Wilson de-
clined to DO anything OF the kind
M. Lind left Mexico City for Vera
cruz after receiving what he deemed
satisfactory assurances that president
HueFta would not be a candidate when
the elections were held
President Wilson settled down 70
8
president Husrta ultimately must fall
OF his own isolation. Outlining his fu-
ture course, the president on August
p, said to congress-:
To Try True Neutrality.
TT Is now our duty to show what
true neutrality viii do to enable the
people Of Mexico to set their affairs
IN order again and wait for q further
opportunity to offer our friendly ceUn-
sells. The position Of outsiders is al
ways particularly trying and fun OF
hazard where there is ciTA strife and
a whole country upset
Americans Urged to Leave.
I'VE should earnestly urge all Amer
leans to leave Mexico at once and
should assist them TO get away in every
possible Way-nOt because we would
mean TO sIacIzen in the least our efforts
10 safeguard their lives and their In
terests, but because it is imperative
that they should take no unnecessary
risks when 1t is physically impossible
should let everyone who assumes to
exercise authority in any part Of Mex
leo know, in the most uneQuiVOcal way,
that we shall TigilantlT watch the
fortunes Of those Americans who can
not get away and shall hold those re-
sponsible for their sufferings ana
losses to a definite reckoning. This
can and viii be made plain beyond the
possibility Of q misunderstanding.
tor the rest deem II my DUTY TO
exercise the authority conferred upon
me by the law of March IA. 1912 to
see TO II that neither side to the
struggle now going on in Mexico re-
cefTe any assistance from this side OF
the border. I shall follow the best
practice OF nations in the matter OF
neutrality by forbidding the eXpOrta-
ton Of arms or munitions Of war Of
any kind from the United States to any
part Of the republic Of BLexico-a pol
icy suggested by several interesting
presidents and certainly dictated by
many manifest considerations Of prac-
teal eLpediency. We cannot in the
circumstances, be the partisans OF
either party in the contest that now
distracts Mexico, or constitute our
selves the virtual umpire between
them
Money for Refugees.
Congress appropriated 100000 to be
used in assisting destitute Americans
TO leave Mexico and many were brought
away on warships and merchant
SNOesAA-OA9- -AL0 -s-eAlCdu dulnOElLl6S as
sumed sneering attitude toward the
American diplomacy and took great
satisfaction in q. the sarcasm Of the
Gamboa note
Nevertheless, the presidents message
was a death blow to Huerta's hope OF
recognition and consequently to his
prospects for floating a large loan
Thus far he had cleverly played the
recognition extended by European gov
ernments against the nonrecognition
policy in the hope Of breaking down
the latter. The understanding reached
between HUerta and Felix Diaz in Feb
ruarys whereby Huerta was to give
Diaz clear field for the presidency