Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-02
Carranza's Attitude Has Ten
dency to Stiffen U. S.
Mexican Policy. ~
AGAINST INTERVENTION.
BUT NOT IRREvOCABLY
Thinks Commission Will Yet Inves-
tigate Killing of
Benton.

IHree hugely important facts became
evident today in connection with the
Mexican situation; evident. too. upon III
authority so high as to mean a nationa
and international ultimatum:
l. There is to be no immediate change
in the policy OF the President toward
things Mexican. but Mr.. Wilson does not
make this policy iron bound or irrevoc-
able
=. The administration considers tho
United States big and powerful enough
to enforce its present policy and pro-
poses to do so, regardless Of various sug-
sestions that foreign nations are conten-
plating an aggressive attitude toward the
United States
3. President Wilson is not to be STAN.
peded toward intervention by an appar-
emily increasing public and official senti-
ment that betokens an eventual explosio"
among Americans il things do not get
better in Mexico. II the development o.
demands, the President
will act, and act quickly and forcibly.
While candidly admitting to those he
has talked with that there are serious
and aggravating aspects in the Mexican
situation, the President firmly fixes his
thought on the terrible toll that this
country would have to pay In the lives
of sons. brothers and fathers. not 10
speak Of the vast expenditures OF money.
Stiffening of Mexican Policy.
Yet there were unmistakable signs to-
day that the President Is stiffening up
along many lines and will handle things
in Mexico hereafter with more starch
than in the past. Patient waiting will be
the watchword OF the administration for
a while longer. but there will he a com
bination of aggressive demands and pa
tience that the President is satisfied Will
win.
The President is not unmindful OF the
campaign that is beginning for interven
ton. He even recognizes the sources
from which it proceeds 1t is said, but he
does not believe the great mass OF the
American people are to be swept of then
feet by the element that is virtually cry
Ing for war. At any rate the campaign
must grow far more powerful and IA
more effective before he will be swerved
wants the thinking people Of the country,
who may be forced into favoring inter-
vention, to recollect that those who ad-
vocate haste must be willing to contribute
sons. brothers and others dear to them as
penalty for the haste they now seek.
If this haste is suppressed. he believes.
everything will work out without inter-
vention.
= The President is not believed to feel
precisely affectionate toward Gen. Car
rama for the slap he has given this
country in declining to deal with the
United States as to the examination OF
Benton's body. This act of Carranza, it
was generally recognized today. has done
more to cause peevishneSs among con-
servatives on the Mexican situation than
anything SO far, next to the Benton as
sassination. CarranZa's 8 sense of his per
sonal dignity led him to take the action.
This government had been dealing with
Villa direct about the Benton affair.
Carranza. who seems to constitute little
in the constitutionalist government eH-
cept that of supervisor Of foreign affairs.
stood upon his dignity and demanded
that Great Britain should send her own
after having requested him to be per-
mitted to do so.
Carranza Gets Warning.
The position of the administration Is
that the United States will not insist
upon acting for England in the matter
if that government wants to conduct its
own exarninat ton. but high officials Of the
administration have not the least idea
tnat Great Britain will make a request
upon Carranza.
The British government will continue
to ask the United States as its best
friend to handle the whole thing, and
this coun... will handle it, too. There
was unmistakable emphasis in the tone
of the Presidents words today that the
United States will go forward with its
purpose o. making this eXaminatio-
and Of ascertaining every known fact
connected with the shooting OF the
Scotchman.
The State Department is in communi-
cation with Carranza, who is. 1t Is un-
derstood. getting some pretty stiff
self too obnoxious. Regardless of the
present policy of the United States, IL
Is to be made known quite clearly
among constitutionalists and Huerfa-
istas that this country is keeping tan
on the action of every man In temporary
power there and that sooner or later
penalties will have to be paid. The day
OF settlement will come and the strone
hand of the United States Will be felt
q gainst those who have not acted with
fairness and wisdom or who seek to
make things disagreeable for this gov
ernment.
No Recognition of Rebels.
Great Britain has recognized Huerta,
and will. under no circumstances recog-
nize Carrsnza by applying to him for per-
mission to conduct an examination in the
Benton murder. England and all the
other foreign powers are going to look to
the United States for protection of its citi-
Zeis. and will not interfere.
Foreign intermeddling in Mexico is not
in the Presidents mind at this time. He
has no advices that the foreign govern
,nents are seeking to align themselves
against the present policy of the admins
tration. And 1t was evident today that
anv lineup of the powers against the
United states would meet with stiff jolt
and a quick knowledge of the fact that
this country will stand by its traditional
policies. and more than ever so In a terri
torv contiguous to our own. On the for
sign score the administration, as said. is
living no concern. OF course, 1t is realized
hat Huerta and many others are playing
shrewd international politics in an at
-emnt to save themselves by bringing
,ome foreign power into the internal
.roubles there as a safeguard against the
United States, but not a single official OF
he administration thinks for a moment
hat any foreign nation wants to inject
tself into a problem that promises much
Ifficulty.
Expects Inquiry to Continue.
The President told callers that the de-
ira of the commissioners appointed to In.
,estisate the death of Benton to get
urther instructions from Washington, as
ya,l as orderS from Villa himself hau