The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-13
President Taft Is Ready to
Loosen the Spring
which VIII Hur1 the q. 8.
Army Into Mexico.
SHIPS WITH BANKED FIRES
Await Orders to Reinforce the
Naval Contingent.
Marine Corps Is Prepared for
Immediate EmbarkatiOn.

Washington, Feb. 1s.-Ambassador
wilson's over night dispatches vera
laid before President TAFT TODAY i'm
mediately upon his return from PhIla-
delphia. They containd principally an
account of the most disouietinr feat
ure of the fighting in Mexico Citv-the
Killing OF two American women yester-
day Administration officials Look
with much approximations on the killing
and one of the first results of the in
c1dent was last nights order to Am
oassador Wilson to warn all Amerf-
cans out of the danger zone.
The president is keeping in constant
touch with the situation from three
points of view from the diplomatic
side which involves the actions of Am
bassador Wilson in making representa-
tions to President Iadero and General
Diaz in the interest of the foreign life
and property in Mexico; from the naval
view point. as it concerns the extent of
the activities of several Thousand ma
rines and blue Jackets who win appear
in the Mexican ports within the course
of the next As hours, and from the mill
| tary standpoint which involves a de-
termination of the question as to when
if at all. he shall give the word for
the entrainment of the first brigade of
the first division of the reorganized
army of regular troops, which now lies
Under arms, with knapsacks packed
and emergency rations ready for an
immediate departure for the south.
Wilson'S Course Approved.
| Am AMBASSADOR Wilson's course so far
administration, though some of the
administration, thogh some OF the
army men question his attempt to
| stop hostilities. Admitting that his
aim was to protect lives and property
of Americans and other foreigners,
| they believe there Will be less blood
shed and a speedy termination of
the rebellion if the combatants are al
| lowed to fight it out with no interfer-
ence. Secretary Knox and his imme-
diate advisers, however, do not ac-
| cept this view and although instruc-
| tions have been sent to the am bassa-
] dor to do everything possible to in
| duce the American residents of Mex
| leo City to vacate their homes, tenn
porarily at least, and go to some place
of safety, there is no disposition to
criticise Mr. Wilson for his forcibIe
representations yesterday.
Prepared for a further call for bat
tleships, the navy department has kept
Admiral Bladder, in command of the
Atlantic fleet at Guantanamo, advised
of the development. The ships with
banked fires, are ready to move at
once to Vera Cruz or Tampico.
The marine corps, always ready"
is prepared for immediate embarka-
ton of companies at the Atlantic
marine force on the Panama canal
zone also is ready to move.
kilograms to the war department
from the three posts in New York
state where the regiments of the first
army brigade are stationed, report a
body of about 5000 men in condition
to start for Newport News within three
hours after an order from the chief
of staff
A significant proceeding of tire day
was the early assembly of the joint
/ Il.
offices. The call was issued by di
rection of Admiral Dewey himself. 1t
brought together at an opportune time
for consideration of joint use Of the
army and navy the highest ranking
officer of both services and the abIest
strategists.
Besides Admiral Dewey and Major
Leonard Wood, the army and navy
were represented by Major General
Wotherspoon, assistant chief Of staff;
Brigadier General Crozier; Rear Ad-
mirals Osterhaus and VreeIand and
Captain Potts.
BY executive order this board is
charged with the preparation of plans
for the cooperation of the army ana
the navy when it becomes necessary
to conduct joint operations either Of
fensive or defensive
Its proceedings are always secret
and may be known only through the .
resulting orders to ships and troops,
| issued by the secretary Of war and
navy. The board is advisory in scope
and not capable of executing its own
orders.
1t Is Up to Congress.
It has been suggested to the presi-
dent that it might be prudent to dis
patch the first brigade to Vera Cruz
at once. Even if the troops are to be
kept aboard ship indefinitely, as were
the 900 marines on the Panther, who
lay in San Domingo harbor for more
than a month last summer. But be-
cause there is some fear that such
gathering of a foreign military force
in their ports. even though not land
ed might inflame the Mexican public
to acts of violence against Americans
throughout the country, the authori-
ties are hesitating to take such an ac-
ton.
Besides, it is held by some officials
that the dispatch of military eXpe-
dition of this kind might be construed
as an act of war and the president is
determined to do nothing that could
be regarded as an infringement of the
constitutional privilege of congress in
that respect
Americans Assaulted
Washington, Feb 13.-Anti-American
feeling at Acapulco. Mexico. culmina-
ted in an aplt upon two officers OF
the cruiser Denver before she depart
ed Yesterday from Acajutla, Honduras.
The victims of the assault were Sur
geon Canerer and Ensign Guthrie. who
! were passing through the streets.
1 Neither was injured