Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-10-25
WILSON'S SUDDEN SILENCE IS
BELIEVED TO BE SIGNIFICANT
Refusal Of the President to Discuss Mexican Situation
Il Taken to Mean That He Considers Crisis in Inter-
national Tangle is Now Confronting Him
CONFERs WITH SECRETARY BRYAN AND
FORMULATEs "A STATEMENT OF POLICY
British Representative Admits Utterng Offensive State
nent Attributed to Him; Daz Still at Vera Cruz;
Monterey is Surrounded by Rebel Soldiers

Washington, .. c., Oct. 24.-The
British foreign office through the
embassy here today officially de-
MED to the state department the
authenticity Of the much dis
cussed published Interview win
Sir Lionel Garden, British minis
ter at Mexico City which repre-
sented the ambassador as unsyr''
pathetic with the policy OF the
United states.
Washington, D. c., Oct. 24.-Develop
ments OF a few hours today In the rela.
tions between the United States ano
Mexico emphasized the gravity OF al
fairs more ominous than at any time
since President Wilson'S administra'
tion began. Absolute silence was the
order in official quarters.
The release of the Ward liner, Morro
Castle. after peremptory demands by
the United States, terminated dell
cate situation. Orders were IN prepara-
tions to the commanders OF the Amer
isan warships lying of Vera Cruz to
insist on her release.
A statement was In preparation to-
day by Secretary Bryan and Counsel
lor John .Bassett Moore, which Secre-
tary Bryan brought to the white house
for the presidents approval. No In
timation % to its contents was re
.yeaied but there Was every reason to
helieve that before many hours hsd
passed 4 notice by the United States
that it Will not brook European inter.
ference IA Mexico BY the warships
dispatched to Mexican waters by the
various foreign governments would be
proclaimed.
It 10 understood also that the United
States by that same statement will
reiterate the American policy that only
governments founded on constitutional
law and order will be recognized on
the western hemisphere,
The situatioH has assumed such
aspects that At was considered possible
that Prejdent Wilon might cancel at
the lasH moment his trip to Mobile,
Alabau1a He had planned to leave
early tomorrow and be gone until
Tuesday night. There was doubt in
the presidents mind today whether
lie could AFFORD to leave Washington
At this time. I E. I
Chairman Bacon of the senate for
eign relations committee conferred at
the state department and white house.
He declared that while the United
States would always like to have the
approval of foreign governments In
Its policy toward Mexico and would
always listen to suggestion. neverthe-
less this government would never
yield It's views because it had broader
and more important moral considera-
tions 1T hand in dealing with the Mex
lean problem than merely material in
terests. !,
The gravity Of the. situation. it was
apparent, would be increased by Felix
Diaz taking refuge In the American
consulate ct Vera Cruz The possi-
bility that the Huerta authorities might;
demand his release and provoke an
other emergency was fully realized.
At the state department it was said
that while no instructions had been
given to American Consul Canada at.
Vera Cduz to afford an asylum to
Diaz, Canada's general instructions
were such that he could take in the
returned leader If 1T seemed necessary
Although in international law the
Americon consulate has no extra terri
torial rights, it was pointed ort here
that morally the American authorities
would have no right to invade the
American precincts to arrest Diaz.
Mine battleships OF the Atlantic feet.
sail tomorrow from Hampton Roads for
their Mediterranean cruise. according
to original plans They will be in con-
stant communication with the powerful
wireless station here at least until next
Thursday.
Officials Are Silent. 4
Washington, D. C., Oct. 24.-Admin.
istration officials divulged no informa,
ton as to their course toward Mexico
but 1t was apparent that there was 10
let up in the tension caused by the
developments Of the last twenty-four
hours.
Dispatches telling of the detention
Of the Ward liner, Moro Castle with
Mrs. John Lind aboard and some de-
tails OF the virtual imprisonment OF
General Felix Diaz reached the state
AS most OF the cabinet
members were away there. was no
meeting bdt President Wilson spent
most Of the morning studying the
Mexican problem and there were IN
tiuations that strong pronouncenlentI
OF policy affecting not only the course
Of the United States toward Mexico, |
but defining to some extent the desire !
Of the United States to have a free
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