The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-08-02
The MEXICAN MIDDLE.
fhESiDENi AND SECRETARY
DEVOTE THEMSELVES no
STUDY OF REPORTS.
Considered Possible That MeXicaps
Themselves May Bring Peace to
Their Troubled COuntry-Other
Means for Peace.

themselves today to q study Of the
voluminOus reports at their disposal
on conditions in Mexico. Indications
were that with the appearance before
the senate committee on foreign rela-
tions tomorrow of Ambassador Henry
Lane Wilson, the last stage in the
programme of the administration to
discover the facts of the situation be-
fore announcing a policy would be
reached.
While q resolution in the house
called for a joint committee to obtain
documents in the Mexican situation,
and another in the senate sought the
opinion of that body on the question
of the recognizing the belligerency of
the cOnstitutionaliSts, administration
officials again declared there would be
no haste in formulating a definite pol
icy toward Mexico.
Secretary Bryan declared no prop
osition for mediation had been sub
mitted to either of the two factions
in Mexico, and incidentally remarked
that he might go back to the lecture
| platform in a few days. The present
condition of affairs is not considered
acute here.
The development of a policy by the
United States may be delayed to OBJ
serve the outcome of efforts being
made by leading Mexicans to bring
about an understanding between the
two warning factions.
Some administration officials have
proposed that the American policy be
! pursued along a succession Of al
ternatives:
First. They suggest the United
States should refrain from interfer-
ence while the Mexican leaders them
selves endeavor to compose their diff
ferences. The attitude of the United
States against recognizing the Huerta
administration is already recognized
in Mexico, according to reports here,
as indicating the abdication Of Huerta
in favor of a compromise provisional
president as inevitable
Second. Should all efforts by the
Mexicans to adjust the dispute fall,
it is proposed by influential members
Of the senate that the embargo on
arms be lifted and the two factions
De permitted to obtain munitions of
war on an equality. Some senators
freely predict a decisive result in quick
time under those circumstances
Third. Should peace be delayed, the
suggestion is that the United States
offer to mediate through a commits
sion.
Fourth. AS a last resort, it is sug-
gested that a tripartite commission
composed Of representatives of the
United States and Latin-American ma
tions could endeavor to bring about
a settlement by peaceful means.
declaration from President
Huerta that no American in Mexico
shall suffer injustice or violence with
his cOgnizance" was made public by
the state department today in the fol-
/ lowing announcement:
President Huerta has expressed
himself as regretting very much that
the American government should
I
ascribe to the influence Of the Mexi-
can government any action which
might bc construed as antagonistic to
Americans during his occupancy Of
the executive authority and desires
the state department to be assured
! that no injustice or violence shall be
done to Americans with his cognizance
while he is in his present position.
The Mexican consul at Ell Paso has
Informed the Mexican foreign office
that the matter of the shooting of
Dixon has been satisfactorily arranged
and it is stated that the government
meeting the desires Of the United
States in every way possible"
Reports to the state department to-
day said that Carlos Pereyra, who has
been acting secretary of state since
July 10, pending the arrival of the
newly appointed secretary, Frederic
GambOa, left Office today In the in
terval before August Z, when Secre-
tary Gamboa will take office, the
portfolio of foreign affairs will be held
by the present minister OF public in
struction, DR.. Cara Aldape. He has
spent some time in the United States
and department officials said he was
in sympathy with American institu-
tions.
Commander Kittile of the gunboat
Wheeling reported from Frontera that