The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-17
KNOX PREPARING
REPLY TO MADER0
Will Tell Him There Is Nc
Change i'll This Govern
ment's Policy.
CABINET MEETING
HELD
Tait Is Plainly Disturbed by
Censorship Established
by Mexico.

Washington, February i1.-Sec-
retary of state Knox was directed by
President Taft to reply early this
morning to the request of President
Francisco ]. Madero, of Mexico, for
definite statement of the policy of
the United States toward Mexico.
The Cabinet, which was in session
for more than two hours, adjourning
at 12:i5 o'clock, spent the time dis
cusSing the terms .Oi the .reply.
Though no official statement was
given out, il was declared that Sec
retary Knox would state that the
attitude of this government would
remain inst aS it had becn for two
years past.
Its Nature Not Disclosed.
The exact nature OF the reply was
! not disclosed, and it was said that
the note would be dispatched to
Madero at once, and probably would
be made public later to-day.
Upon leaving the White House.
Secretary Knox reiterated that in
tervention was not now contem-
plated. nor would there be any
change in the naval or military plans
relating to Mexico.
After conference Of an hour and
Z
president Taft called special meet
ing OF the Cabinet to discuss tho late
dispatches from Mexico. The report
from Mexico City that tho armistice
nad been declared off and that hos
tllltles mad been resumed caused in
tense interest among the Cabinet
officers
Mr. Knox laid before the presi-
uent long resume of reports from
Mexico City from Ambassador viii
son, picturing in detail the revolt
or Dlaz and the efforts of Madero
10 suppress it. The proposed repIy
OF this government to Madero's re-
quest to keep "hands off, and allow
nm to settle with Diaz himself also
was considered.
Despite the alarming information
that has continued to come into
Washington for the last few davs
not member of the Presidents
Cabinet favored Intervention when
summoned to to-night's meetinp
MOST OF the official family believes
tnat the Mexican factions VIII solve
their own troubles, and are of the
OPINION that interference by the
united States is uncalled for at this
time. '''''
Taft Is Disturbed.
Ihe President was plainly dis
turbed to learn that communication
between Mexico City and the United
States was precarious and that an
apparently strict censorship had been
instituted by Mexican authorities
His fear has been that Just such a
condition might arise, and that
americans In Mexico City might find
themselves facing u situation like
that which existed in Peking during
the Boxer rebellion
There was little doubt eypressed
here that ii a censorship is being ey-
ercised, this government will demand
that the communication from Am
bassador Wilson and it's replies shall
be permitted to go through without
interruption. 1t does not propose to
have the slender thread that con-
meets the American COLONY with
Washington interfered with for An
instant
While the Cabinet was in session
Major-General Wood, chief of staff
of the army, who returned yesterday
from Boston, was busy in his office
at the War Department
President Taft requested all avail
able information regarding the late
Developments. and was kept in touch
IL Continued on Second PapcO