The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-13

tons committee, Republicans as well
as Democrats, and outlined frankly
the policy he believes the United
states ought to pursue toward Mexi-
CO.
While John Lind, personal represen-
tative OF the president, paused over
night at Vera Cruz, exchanging mes
sages by wireless with officials at
washington, the president discussed
With the senate committee for the first
time during his administration a
matter of foreign policy.
Though the president has been con-
stantly in touch with Chairman Ba-
con, veiled charges Of partisan poll
tics and lack of information among
the Republicans caused him to meet
the entire committee, regardless OF
party. to canvass the situation, ad.
mittedly the gravest that has come
up during his administration.
The president gave the committee
all the information he has gathered or
the Mexican situation; referred briefly
to the incidents upon which he had
formed his judgment or what ought to
be done by the United States, and ex-
planned the general purpose of En-
voy Linds mission. Secretary Bryan
also was present at the conference,
the announced purpose Of which was
TO bring the executive and legisla-
tive departments of the government
into close accord.
From those who know the propos-
ais Lind will communicate to the
Huerta government through Nelson
OShaughnessey, charge d. affaires OF
the embassy at Mexico City, it was
learned tonight that the United States
merely calls upon Provisional Presi-
dent Huerta to carry out the prom
ises he was officially reported to have
made when he took possession of the
government after the death OF Mad
, ero. The American government then
was informed that Huerta intended
to call an election not later than July
and did not intend to be a candidate.
The proposals which the United
states will submit to the Huerta gov
ernment, duplicates of which will be
transmitted to the foreign powers as
an evidence of efforts to compose the
situation in Mexico, will. it is under
stood. point out that the only interest
the United States has in Latin-Ameri-
ca Is that constitutional government
may be maintained; that 1t must of
necessity prefer those who set up gov
ernments by orderly processes rather
than by arbitrary force, and, in effect,
says to Provisional President Huerta
that 1t believes it his duty to obtain a
suspension OF hostilities while a free
and constitutional election is held
The constitutiona,ists declare they
will not consent to an election where
Huerta Is In power, maintaining that
they would have no guarantees that
II would be conducted fairly. They
contend that only by the abdication of
Huerta, in favor of Provisional
President. acceptable to them, would
they consent to lay down their arms.
These questions. it is believed. the
American government leaves entirely
to Provisional President Huerta, but
its proposals are believed to point out
the necessity for an early election to
establish constitutional govern
ment to which the United states could
extend recognition.
President Wilson took the senator's
into his confidence far enough to out,
line the following:
That John Lind, his special envoy to
Mexico City, does not bear any solu-
ton Of the present situation, but goes
to continue this governments effort to
induce Provisional President Huerta
/ to redeem his promises for free and
constitutional elections:
That under no circumstances does
| the administration propose to rccog-
nize the Hucrta government.
That Mr.. Lind has gone to Mexico
City to be the "cyes and ears" Of the
Washington administration on the
ground, and to explain the attitude Of
this government when he has fully
familarized himself with the stua-
ton.
That by withdrawing Ambassador
Wilson and sending Mr.. Lind the pres
ident planned TO have "a man on the
grounds who was in sympathy with
the administration here and was in
no sense a factor in the situation in
Mexico City.
These policies and suggestions OF
the President and Secretary Bryan
came out in general discussion. 1t
was made clear that the purpose OF
/ the conference was To pSta bliSh more