Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-13

constructions in Mexico outside the
capital, which appear to threaten lot
eign interests--for the American ma
val commanders are expected to looR
after European and Asiatics as well
as Americans-the force now unoer
way probably will be reparded as
sufficient to meet present needs.
As was pointed out in the white
house statements last night, tnere ID
after all, nothing the naval lorce can
do at this juncture except aIoiu
refugees to foreigners and maintain
order in the coast towns where non,
combatants may safely gather shou'"
the new revolution spread.
|. Army Is Under Orders.
While preparatory orders nave oeei,
issued to army officers In charge o,
the military organization, scattereo
from northern New York to Georgia
which. on paper, form the "expeui
tionary force"-a flying wedge-to ei
feet an entrance to any country WIN
which the United States might De IN
Evolved in hostilities, the effect or these
orders will be not to start the troops
in movement, but to put them sleep
ing on their arms" for the signal to
take train or ship for the south.
The big army transports at New
port News will be ready to sail tomor
row morning at the latest. They
would take some of the regular troops
from Fort Monroe, Baltimore and Fort
Myer, near this city, should 1t be oe.
cided that the crisis in Mexico hao
assumed such proportions as to de-
mand the dispatch Of military force
! to reinforce the naval contingent az
ready under way.
All the measures are merely precau'
tionary because all officials here, from
President Taft down see as yet no
ground for intervention.
Fighting in the heart of Mexico CITY
endangering thousands of lives, Is
looked upon with apprehension, but
army men and students of information
al law declare this condition may be
justifiable if the Madero government
| finds it necessary to fight for It's own
existence.
May Send Foreigners From City.
Although Ambassador Wilson was
Joined yesterday by the entire diplo,
matte body in the city of Mexico IN
his protest against the conduct Of hos
tilities in the streets, 1t Is said here
that the only immediate step that can
be taken in the interest Of safety OF
the foreign element would be the issue
of an appeal by Mr.. Wilson and the
other diplomatic representatives to the
citizens Of the various powers to with
draw to Vera Cruz, where they would
be under the protection of the various
ships. The military commanders on
both sides undoubtedly would inter
pose no obstacle to the departure OF
the foreign population and would give
! them safe conduct to the coast.
! 1t is hoped in official circles here
that such a precaution may be made
unnecessary either by the arrange
ment of a truce between the combat
ants through the offices of such men
as Senior De La Barra or by con-
elusive victory by one side or the other
that would leave the city in the abso-
lutte possession Of faction strong
enough to maintain order.
CuIlom Opposes Intervention.
! Declaration against immediate inter
vention in Mexico was made today by
Senator Cullom, chairman of the sen
ate committee on foreign relations.
II trust there will be no immediate
Intervention by the United States" he
said Il do not think the time has
come when we are called on to inter
fere. If We once take the step we can
not take it back. l don't think that
under the present conditions we are
called on to take the burden
Prepare for $500 Marines.
Preparations have been made tc
move approximately $500 marines
from the ships Of the Atlantic flee1
and the Guantanamo naval station tt
Vera Cruz, to be held in readiness
there for landing, in case it should be
necessary to relieve the foreign lega
tons in Mexico City.
Some changes in orders to com
manders of battleships on their wa,
4 to Mexico were made later by Secre
tary Meyer after a conference with hi
naval aids. Rear Admiral Fletcher
commanding the second division o
the Atlantic fleet. with his flagship
Vermont was ordered from Guanta
namo directly to ezra Cruz with thu
battleship Nebraska. This suplant'
revious tentative orders to the I'LL
nois, New Jersey and Rhode Island
and puts two admirals with the nava
forces on the gulf coast of Mexico.
Stimson and Knox on Job.
Secretaries Knox and ,Stimson Wen
into conference further with Pres1
dent Taft after luncheon at the Whit
house. It was announced that Secre
tary Stimson, who had planned to nc
company the president to Philadelphia
tonight would remain in Washington
to be in close touch with the situation
and keep the president informed.
At the close Of the conference the,
said they had reviewed the situation
to President Taft and that there wa
nothing new to announce.
Secretary Knox also decided t
forego the Philadelphia dinner to b
at his office and consult with Secre
tary Stimson throughout the day an
night.
TIIIman Would Avoid 1t.
: Most senators declined to discus
-. the situation in Mexico. A notable e.
, ception was found in Senator Tillmar
{ He said:
Z 81 think President Taft ought to b
} very, very cautious how he involve
! this country in war just at the clos