The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-24
TAFT STILL WAITS.
Will Make No Change i'm Policy
Toward Mexico.
Situation More Grave Since
Murder of MaderO.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 24.-The killing of
Francisco I. Madero and Pine Suarez.
deposed president and vice president
of Mexico. after Provisional President
General Huerta had assured American
Ambassador Wilson of the safety of
his prisoners from just such attacks.
created a painful impression in ad-
ministration circles here.
When the first feeling of surprise had
passed it was realized by officials that
this last tragic event had added great
" to the gravity of the situation and
undoubtedly had placed a additional
strain upon the already tense relations
between this government and that in
the Mexican capital. Still as President
Taft himself declared. the event in it
self was not sufficient TO demand any
departure from the policy of strict
nonintervention, which so far has gov
erned his administration
Probably the immediate result will be
TO hasten the military and naval pre-
parationS in order to have the soldiers
and marines ready TO answer a call
for instant embarkation if further de-
velopments in Mexico should demand
their employment.
The one danger to be apprehended
which almost certainly would result
in the launching of an army of inva-
sion would be the commission of some
act or acts in Mexico that would en-
danger the lives of foreign citizens
and Americans After having assured
the diplomatic representatives in Wash
ington of the disposition and ability
of this government to protect their
nationals in Mexico in the same de-
gree as Americans the government
has assumed an obligation that cannot
be ignored. Therefore, any attack
upon foreigners by the tacit consent
of the Huerta government. or even the
exhibition towards them of mob vio-
lence clearly beyond the ability of the
provisional government to prevent, pro-
baby would be the signal for active
intervention.
Taft to Wait on Congress.
The administration officials feel that
they have discharged their full duties
and exhausted their constitutional pow
ers in the orders they have given or
planned for the preparation for SUI
ficient military and naval force to IN
sure successful entry to the Mexican
capital in case of need. It is practi-
calIy certain that beyond this point
the executive would not proceed ex-
cept upon direct instructions from con-
gress. as the exhibition of military
force beyond the sea coast towns OF
Mexico might be regarded as an act
of war which under the constitution
can be directed only by congress
To secure this direction, probably it
will be necessary for President Taft to
communicate with congress through
special message reciting the recent
events and existing conditions in
Mexico and asking for instructions
The president though having considered
the preparation of such message.
has been reluctant to forward it and
proba bly, will not do so unless still
graVer events happen in Mexico in the /
remaining days of his administration
Secretary Stinsou and Major Cen |
eraI Wood made no change today in |
the program of concentration of troops .
at Galveston which is now smoothly I
working out in conformity with yes !
terday's orders to Major General Will /
lam H Carter. commanding the Second Z
division of the army at Chicago. These 4
orders called for the despatch to Gal |
weston of the elements that make up !
the fifth brigade.
More Troops to Galveston.
Two other brigades of troops are I'M |
der preparatory orders to entrain for /
the Texas seaport and. as indicated by 1
President Taft in his statement yes |
terday. these or two other brigades. if |
IL is decided to make a change in the /
composition of the force doubtless will /
be directed TO start almost Immediate |
ly
1t is also possible that orders will !
issue eventually to the fourth cavalry |
brigade to rendezvous at Galveston. |
but as these troops are now altogether I
in Texas engaged in important patrol /
dutX 1OT the most part along the Dor I
der and generally within easy reach of /
the seacoast probably their orders Will /
be the last TO issue This brigade is /
commanded by Brigadier General /
Tasker H Bliss. and comprises the I
Eleventh and Fifteenth cavalry
AS President Taft has mentioned 1
the participation of the fleet in this 4
preparatory program, it may be re- /
called that the navy has been quietly /
but effectively moving TO be in readi /
ness for any prospective demand, the /
general board realizing that upon the /
navy must depend the duty of opening 4
the way for the successful employment I
of troops in a campaign of invasion |
Already three great battleships are 1
are lying in the harbor of Vera Cruz !
and the remainder of Admiral Badgers
fleet at Guantanamo is being kept
fully coaled and provisioned in rea- =
ness to cover the distance between that
port and Vera Cruz within As hours