Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-24

ing hero 6f7IJ:h sonS statements re
lating to- the tragedy made ~ Senior
De La Bssrra and Provisional President
Huertax but it was taken for granted
that iftthe tate leaders were brutally
murdefed as the result of a. plot, the
presen& government would be called
upon for an explanation when n seeks
politicA Recognition at the hands OF
the United States. Thus it may be
brou9ft about that in addition to
showing itself equal TO the immense
problems of reconstruction before it,
including the establishment Of law
and order in states so long torn by
revolution, Mexico may be asked to
show that the blood of its late ruler is
not upon its hands.
Washington, Feb. 23.-The killing of
Francisco |. Madero and Pine Suarez,
deposed President and Vice President,
respectively, of Mexico after Provi-
sional President Huerta had assured
American Ambassador Wilson Of the
safety of his prisoners from just such
attacks, created a painful impression
in administration circles here, today
When the first feeling of surprise
had passed il was realized by officials
that this last tragic event had added
greatly to the gravity of the situation
and undoubtedly had placed an addi-
tional strain upon the already tense
relations between this government and
that in the Mexican capital. Still. as
President himself declared, the event
in itself was not sufficient to demand
any departure from the policy of strict
in tn. Mt .F1i
governed his administration.
Probably the immediate result will
be to hasten the military and naval
preparations in order to have the sol
diers and sailors and marines ready to
answer call for instant embarkation
if further development in Mexico
should demand their employment.
The one danger to be apprehendeI.
which almost certainly would result in
the launching of an army of invasion
would be the commission of some act
or acts in Mexico that would endanser
the lives of foreign citizens and Amer
leans for having assured the diplo-
matte representatives in Washington
of the disposition and ability of this
government to protect their nationals
in Mexico in the same degree as
Americans. This government has as
sumed an obligation that cannot be
ignored. Therefore any attack upon
the Americans or foreigners by the
tacit consent of the Huerta govern
ment or even the exhibition towards
them of mob violence clearly beyond
the ability of the Provisional govern
ment to prevent, probably would be the
signal for active intervention.
The administration officials feel
that they have discharged their full
duties and exhausted their constitu-
tional powers in the orders they have
given for the preparation of efficient
military and naval force to secure a
successful entry to the Mexican cap
ital in case of need. 1t is practically
certain that beyond this point the ex-
ecutive would not proceed except upon
direct instructions from Congress as
the exhibition of military force beyond
the seacoast towns of Mexico might
be regarded as an act of war, which.
under the Constitution. can be directed
only by Congress.
Secretary Stimson and Major Gen
eral Wood made no. change. today, in
the program of eoncentration of troops