Semi-weekly herald., 1913-02-20

dition in Mexico.
1t is stated authoritatively that un-
til Madero Saturday night appealed
directly to President Taft, this gov
ernment intended to land marines at
Vera Cruz. Madero said he feared
the landing would be purposely mis-
construed, thereby inflaming the peo-
Pile to attack Americans and foreign
ers.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. H.
President Taft's note, replying to Ma
dero's recent protest, has been made
public. 1t declared:
Fresh assurances of our friendship
to Mexico is unnecessary after two
years of proofs of patience and good
will"
The note declares that Madero was
misinformed in believing that the or
ders to land troops had already been
issued.
The reply ends: I'VE feel it our
duty to add sincerely and without re-
serve that the course of events of
the past two years terminating in the
present dangerous situation has Gre
ated in this country the extreme pessi-
mism and conviction that the present
paramount duty is prompt relief of
the situation
This note is regarded as veiled
ultimatum.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. IL
If Americans in Mexico City would
only give ear to the entreaties of the
American embassy to leave the war
zone at the capital and if American
curiosity had not compelled scores to
expose themselves to the fire in order
to see the struggle between Diaz and
Madero, there would be very little
danger of any citizen being killed un-
der the present conditions at the Mex
lean capital.
This was the statement Ambassador
Wilson made in official dispatches to
S''N 'NosS w Npol
Wilson'S dispatches indicate that a
large number of Americans and other
foreigners insist on taking chance"
to view the battle and persist in ex-
posing themselves to fire, despite all
warnings. Wilson said all Americans
have been carefully instructed as to
where they might find safety.
One state department message told
about 400 rural Mexican guards who
stood in front of the American lega-
tion prepared to defend it, but as
serted calmly they did not know
whether they were rebels or federals
and would not know until their colonel
returned from an interview with Diaz.
The situation for Americans in Mex
leo City who need relief has been
complicated by the closing of all banks
and business houses. Ambassador
Wilson was authorized to draw on
the state department for $4,000 for
relief work. He telegraphed today
that the draft was useless as no funds
could be obtained. He was then or
dered to issue make-shift currency
for provisions, clothing and trans
portation. The state departments au-
thorlty, it was believed here, will prob
ably make these promissory notes ne.
gotiable. The state department be-
lieves that there are only $4,000 for
eigners in Mexico City, despite Will
sons estimate of $4,000. There are
about 1000 Americans, 5000 British.
5000 Germans and 1000 French, the
remaining being Spanish, Norwegians
and Danes.
For the first time in history, the
American Red Cross may decline to
send more money to the Mexican Red
Cross. The Red Cross headquarters
today requested the state department
to ask Ambassador Wilson whether
the Mexican Red Cross was carable
and fit to handle any money sent 10
them. Before sending more money.
the Red Cross wants assurance chat
neither side will fire or hinder the
members in their work.
Wilson's statements that for the
present at least only these Americans
who disregarded warnings are in i'm
mediate danger confirmed the depart
ments belief that under existing con-
ditions it would not be necessary to
send IAN expeditionary force to act
as legation guard" Small forces
will probably be landed, however, at
ports such as Acapulco, if the anti
foreign sentiment becomes violent.
This could not constitute interve ntion
under the rules of warfare
MEXICO CITY, Feb. 17.-(Censor-
ed.)-Late last night the cannonad-