The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-15
Situation Unparalleled

y
ambassador here became one OF the best
liked members of the dirlco'a tc corps.
Situation Unparalleled
The situation is regarded in military
circles here as unparalleled in modern
history and experts are astounded at
the ammunition sources of the contending
forces. One army officer declared today
that the United States army could not
fight six days, as the combatants in
Mexico have done, with all of the am
munition now on hand. Although theoret-
ically equipped with 100000 rounds of
ammunition for the. three inch field guns
there are less than 10000 rounds in Uni
ted States arsenals, while of the 10000
rounds supposed to be available for the
siege guns only 25OO are in sight. More
over about 1000 rounds per day represent
tho entire maximum product of United
States arsenals.
A difficult question is likely to arise
in Connection with the prospective
claims of the American residents of
the city of Mexico for pecuniary dam
ages, growing out of the street fight
ing.
Under ordinary rules of international
warfare a government is not respon-
sible for damages sustained by indi-
viduals beyond its power to prev mt.
Ordinarily that would relieve the !. a.
dero government from liability. Bue
that government has steadily refused
to admit that it is not strong enough
to extend full protection to foreign
ers, fearing that contrary admission
would involve the immediate issue of
| neutrality proclamations by foreign
countries, which would cut off its sup
ply of war material
This attitude may justify presenta-
ton of indemnity claims, should AIadero
prevail.
In the event Diaz is successful it
is pointed out he could scarcely sue
cessfully assert that he was not di-
rectly responsible for the damage
dealing hostilities. nor that it was be-
yond his control to prevent such dam
age, as that probably he would be ex-
pected to settle these foreign claims
when his own government was COM
pletely in power
Not in Haste to Flee
Overnight dispatches from Ambassa-
dor Wilson say Americans are not in
haste to flee the danger existing IN
Mexico City even when they have a
chance. Foreigners seem determined to
remain to watch the fighting although
Mr.. Wilson reports that at every in
terval between engagements he has
sent motors throughout the city to
bring all noncombatants into the neigh
bophood of the American embassy. The
American ambassador has been unable
to draw upon the state department
for the $4,000 authorized yesterday for
use in succoring Americans and send
ing them out of the city.
The state department during the day
authorized him to give the guarantee
of the United States government for
any obligations incurred. Americans
who petitioned General Diaz have re-
ceived a reply from the rebel leader
that they need not fear his firinl so
long as his forces are not attacked
from the direction of the residential
section of the city occupied by the
American colony. Officers commanding
400 rural guards who took up a po-
sition before the German legation
Thursday are reported to have told tho
German minister they did not know
which cause they espoused. With an in
different air they said their colonel
was having conference with Diaz. No
disturbances are reported in northern
Sonora and conditions remain tranquil
in Juarez, although it is impossible to
get news out of Chihuahua City.
Many Acts of Violence
Many acts of violence have been
committed at Acapulco against Ameri-
cans. They eliminated in a street at
tack upon two officers of the cruiser
Denver before her departure for Acaj-
utla, Salvadaro, Wednesday. These
| demonstrations of hostility endanger-
ing the lives of hundreds of Americans
| so thoroughly alarmed officials here
| that they ordered the Denver by wire
less during the day to return.
| In addition to the regular American
colony in Acapulco, American ranchers
and miners were forced to fleet into
the city by rebel depredations in the
| countryside All these refugees are de-
| pendent upon protection from the navy
as the rebels forced suspension or work
| on railroads which would have con-
nected the Pacific coast with the Mex
| lean capital.
| President Taft declared to close ad-
lvisors today that only one thing would
| force him to ask Congress to inter-
jvene in Mexico. If the Madero or Diaz
forces should turn upon Americans
merely because they are Americans, or
| Foreigners, President Taft let it be
known that he would rush special
message to Congress in half an hours
time.
| He does not regard the killing of a
| few Americans in the course of the bat
| tie as a cause for war, but looks upon
such casualties as unavoidable and be-
Ilieves the proper authorities should be
held responsible for damages
| IL the President we've to hear that
| Americans were being wantonly killed
and found Congress taking its week
end recess, however. his confidants de-
clared he would not hesitate to send an
expeditionary force from the battle
ships at Vera Cruz and Tampico
! Five thousand sailors and marines
could be landed from them In a few
hours and started for Mexico City. In
ternational law recogizes the right OF
/ a government to send such an expedi-
'tionary force 10 guard its own citizens
when they need protection. The sailors