The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-14
is STILL A DRAW.
TAFT HAS A PLAN.
Redy to Put 1T Into Execution in a
Few Minutes.

Redy to Put 1t Into Execution in a
Few Minutes.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1A.-President Taft
declared to close advisers today that
only one thing could force him to ASK
congress to intervene in Mexico.
If the Madero or Diaz forces should
turn upon Americans merely because
they are Americans or foreigners Mr..
Taft let it be known that he woulo
rush a special message to congress IN
thirty minutes. He does not regard the
killing of a few Americans in the
course of the battle as a cause for war;
but looks upon such casualties as I'M
ayoidable and believes that the proper
authorities should be held liable Ior
damages.
IF. however, the president were TO
hear that Americans were being wan
tonly killed and found congress TAKING
its week end recess, his confiuentS To-
day declared he would not hesitate 10
send an expeditionary force from the
battleships at Vera Cruz and Tamplco.
Five thousand sailors and marines
could be landed from them in few
hours and started for Mexico City. IN
ternational law recognizes the right OF
q government to send such an eXpedl-
tionary force to guard its own cItizens
when they need protection. The sailors
and marines would be sent TO Mexico
City "as the legation guard"
This was the method employed dur
ing the Boxer uprising in China ana
more recently in Nicaragua.
IL such a step were forced upon MT.
Taft while congress was not in session
the president plans to follow 1T i'm
rlediately with a message setting forth
conditions. showing what he had done
and asking authority to send United
States troops across the border.
The president was disturbed TO-DAY
when he heard reports that communi-
cation between Mexico City and the
United States might be cut off. He
pointed out to friends that such a
condition would resemble that in China
when the foreigners penned up In Pc
king could not communicate with the
outside world.
President Taft met the cabinet at
the usual semiweekly session and the
Mexican situation was generally dis
cussed. It was understood the cabl-
net Is in complete accord with the
presidents attitude as it was express
ed in his talks with callers today.
Secretary Knox upon entering the con-
ference declared there was nothing
specific to be considered and that he
had received no important dispatches
since last night.
The president referred some Of his
callers to a letter he wrote from Au-
gustas Ga, nearly two years ago, TO
of staff of the army, explaining his
reasons for the order mobilizing troops
then on the Texas border. In that
letter the president said:
My determined purpose is to be in
n position so that when danger to
American lives and property in Mex
leo threatens and the existing gov
eminent is rendered helpless by the
insurrection I can promptly execute
congressional orders to protect them,
with effect
Wilson Can't Cash Draft.
Washington, Feb. 14.-Over night
dispatches from Ambassador Wilson
say Americans are not in haste to fee
the danger zone in Mexico City even
when they have opportunity. Foreign
ers seem determined to remain to
watch the lighting, although Mr.. Will
son reports at every interval between
engagements he has sent motors |
throughout the city to bring all nom
into the neighborhood of |
the American embassy.
Banking is paralyZed and the am
bassador has been unable to draw
upon the state department for the |
$4,000 authorized yesterday for use
in Succoring Americans and sending
them out of the city. The state de-
partment today authorized him to give
the guarantee of this government for
any obligations incurred.
Americans who petitiOned General
Felix Diaz have received reply from
the rebel leader that they need not
fear his firing so long as his forces
are not attacked from the direction of
the residential section occupied by the
American colony.
OfhcerS commanding 400 rural
guards who took up a position before
the German legation yesterday are re-
ported to have told the German minis
ter they did not know which cause
they served. With an air Of indiffer-
ence they agreed that their colonel
was having an interview with Diaz
No sympathetic disturbances are
in northern Sonora and con-
ditions remain quiet in Juarez al
though 1t is impossible to get news out
or Chihuahua City.