Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-02-26
A MEXICAN WAR
WITHOUT Guns
Conflict Which Is Of a Dip|o-
matte Character.
GOING ON IN WASHINGTON.

Something About the Men Engaged
In a Subtle Battle of Wits.
With both sides realizing that tic
attitude of the United States must have
an important bearing on the outcome
Of the fierce struggle, a chapter in the
secret politics of the world is being
written almost within the shadow Of
the capitol, says the Washington Star.
For months MexicanS have been CON-
ing and going between Washington and
Mexico. code messages have been flash
ing backward and forward. and stories
Of mysterious happenings have leaked
through to the public.
Since Francisco Madero began his
revolution against President Portirio
Diaz Washington has been second
only to Mexico City as a center Of the
kaleidoscope changes in the rapidly
shifting developments. The present
status of the situation began when
General Huerta assumed the presi-
dency after the assassination OF Ma
dero, when the Wilson administration
refused to recognize the new govern
ment and when the Constitutionalist
revolution was launched.
Then there began arriving in Wash
ington a group Of men intent on bring
ing about the overthrow Of Huerta.
Most Of them had been influential dur
ing the short regime of Madero and
had escaped from Mexico City in dis
guise and under aSst.med names. usu-
ally closely followed by a squad of
soldiers or police.
No Outward Sign Of Plotting.
The %contending forces in Mexico
have their Washington headquarters
but a few blocks apart The embassy.
the Office Of the representatives of the
de facto government at Mexico City.
is at 1913 | street northwest. and the
Constitutionalist confidential agency is
at 112O Vermont e northwest
At night the Constitutionalists gather
in what they call the cave" located
in the grill room of the Bellevue hotel,
and there discuss their plans.
From the beginning OF the revolu-
ton efforts have been made through
the two Washington headquarters to
bring about an agreement on a pro-
yisional president of Mexico who could
unite both parties. AS fast a. names
have been suggested they have been
forwarded to General Huerta and Cen
eral CarranZa, but all such attempts
have resulted i'll failure.
Representing the de facto govern
ment of Mexico City in Washington is
Senior Don A.. Algara r. de Terreros,
charge d'affaireS of the Mexican en-
bassy since last May. Heading the
Constitutionalist confidential agency is
Roberto Pesqueira.
Senior Algara. because OF the fact
that the United States has not recog.
niZed the government which he repre-
sents, has occupied an unuSual and
difficult position since Senior Manuel
Calero. the last Mexican ambassador
to the United States. left for home.
The entire embassy staff Is continued
in the state departments diplomatic
list Senior Algara is invited to all
diplomatic functions and was a guest
at the White House wedding
a man OF wide diplomatic experience
and Il member Of an old Mexican fam
lily. he has shown tact in his position.
He still looks after Mexican business
in the United States
The commercial interests of Mexico
in Washington are now taken care OF
by Senior a. l.. Godoy. who was receut-
ly made Mexican consu! in Washing.
ton. He is the son of the Mexican
minister to Cuba. who Is now in Wash
ington and is absent from his post at
Havana because Cuba has not recog-
niZed the Huerta government.
The Constitutionalist junta has nc
diplomatic standing and never deals
directly with the president or with the
state department
Carranza's Agent a Busy Man..
Senior Pesqueira. the CONSTITUTIONAL
list confidential agent. young, keen.
alert, always dressed in the height of
fashion. is an ardent partisan of Cen
eral Carranza. Seated before a map
of Mexico. on which the contending
armies are represented by pins and
small streamers Of colored paper. with
a safe near by containing the secret
correspondence Of the revolution. be
directs the movements of a small force
of agents in the United States.
Often he is found dividing a piece
of paper into small squares, into whic
he writes letters and symbols, thus
working out the cipher of kilograms
i. from the front Needless to say the
: code books are most carefully guarded
Thus during the battles in Mexico
l the diplomatic work goes or quietly ir
Washington. Victory on the battlefield
and the winning of the support Of pub
, lie sentiment in the United States are
1 two big ends sought.
Now It's Railroad Gatewomen.
, A new field Of endeavor for womeI
: is contemplated by the Illinois Contra
! railroad. Gatemen. the employees who
have collected and punched tickets. are
to be replaced by gatewomen. The