Evening star., 1913-02-25
THINK IRON HAND NEEDED
Gov. Colquitt's Threat to Cross
Texas Border Not Credited.
NEED OF PROTECTION CITED

NEED OF PROTECTION CITED
Senator Sheppard Claims Rowing
Bandits Are Menace-Americans
Reported Safe.
The Mexican problem was hardly
touched upon at today's meeting of the
cabinet, Secretary Knox merely reporting
! to the President some of the contents
Of kilograms received by him. There
| was a marked disposition in official cir
| cles to regard the whole question as tend
ing toward its own solution through the
energy and forcefulness of Gen. Huerta,
the new provisional president.
There was a strong inside sentiment
today high up in administration circles
that. after ALL President Wilson
may not be confronted with the Mexican
problem In the serious aspect that it has
had for the last two years of the Taft
administration. Whether Gen. Huerta
measures up TO expectations is for the
future to determine. but there is a feel
ing that the new man is to be the man
of the hour in Mexico, that he probably
will be a repetition of Diaz, in many ways
at least, and that by freely using the
country.
1t has long been recognized by Ameri-
can officials that conditions in Mexico are
such that no man with the peaceful and
humanitarian views of Madero would ever
be able to control Mexico. The tempera-
ment of the people. the vast difference in
the classes and all conditions render a
successful administration of that country
one based on and backed by the most
prompt force. TempOrizing and indeci-
sion mean mutiny. rebellion. The gov
ernment that strikes the first blow, never
waits for rebellions to grow and shows
the iron hand all along the line is the
government that will stand.
View of Official Washington.
That is the almost unanimous view Of
official Washington today, the sentiment
running from the White House through
the State and other departments.
Diaz. in his younger days. as known
to every old official of the State Depart
ment. kept Mexico peaceful country
by shooting down lawbreakers and
bandits without mercy. He stopped
country was prosperous. the better classes
were with Diaz because he was the only
man who could keep order.
II Huerta las the chance to get the
day is that he will initiate Diaz, and OF
fetal advices are that he is starting out
in the same direction.
The moral help of the United States
government. even under the new ad-
ministratiOn, will be his. it was pre-
dicted today If he uses the iron hand
with prudence and fairness and with
out tyrannical despotism. The inter-
ests of this government and its citi-
zens are deeply intertwined with those
OF Mexico, and a sense of relief was
expressed by congressional and other
callers who visited President Taft and
the State Department today at the ap-
parently good turn things are taking
in the nation south of Uncle Sans do
mains.
Explanation Generally Accepted:
Now that the first shock of the tragic
death of Madero and Suarez has passed
over Influenced largely by the reassuring
reports from Ambassador Wilson, and
his appeal to the American people to
suspend judgment in the matter. officials
here are beginning to accept the official
version of the affair. UnquesiOnably
they believe great carelesSnesS was eX-
hibited in failing properly to protect the
prisoners. but that offense. it is pointed
out is less than a deliberate murder
plot.
Ambassador Wilson will be permitted to
continue to exercise his own discretion in
dealing with the new government. and
some satisfaction is derived from his re-
port that not only is thr new government
very friendly toward the United States
but that it has shown disposition to meet
reasonable requests for the protection of
American interests in Mexico, which
were to a large degree ignored by the
MaderO administration.
Doubt Colquitt Will Act.
The threatened dispatch of Texas mill
tia by Gov. Colquitt into Mexico is not
expected to materialize: the governor
himself. it was pointed out here today
would lay himself open to a charge Of
violation Of the national neutrality laws,
which provides severe punishment for
any one organizing and forwarding a hos
tile expedition into the country Of a for
eign state with which the United States
is at peace.
| The law recognizes difference be-
tween the governor of state and any
other civilian; it simply maintains the
right of the national government and
especially the legislative branch. as the
sole authority competent to make war;
| and the sending Of an armed force into
Mexico would constitute such an act.
Further Warning to Mexico.
| The completion of the orders to move
the entire second division Of the United
States Army to Galveston is intended
as further warning to Mexico that
there will be no departure from the
established policy Of preparedness
during the remaining week of Presi-
dent Tafts administration. If anti
| American demonstrations against
Americans which have broken out in
| some parts of Mexico should culminate
f, in actual attacks on Americans as
such. the retiring administration. al
! a moments notice, will be in readiness
even on the eve of laying down the
| responsibilities of office. to order the
departure of land forces from Calves
ton to reinforce the marines and blue
Jackets on the six American warships
already swinging at anchor on both the
| Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico
This course is justified on the ground
that any cessation of preparations in the
closing days or even hours of the Taft
administration might be seized hold of by
Mexican malcontents as an opportunity
not adequately be met and overcome
| should officials here relax their vigilance
Senator Sheppard Gives Facts.
| Senator Morris Sheppard Of Texas today
made representations to the State Depart.
ment about what he considers the unpro-
tected condition Of parts Of the Texas
| Mexican frontier.
ri 1yy