The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-06
l. SUMTER. s.. G, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER g. 1918
PRESIDENT TAKES VACATION.
STILL HOPEFUL OF MEXICAN
SETTLEMENT.
Lind put i'm Charge and Instructed to
Use His Own Discretion as to Re-
opening Negotiations With Huerta.

Washington, Aug. 29.-President
Wilson left Washington late today for
the summer capital at Cornish, n. H.,
still hopeful of favorable elimination
of the negotiations undertaken by
this country to bring about peace in
Mexico. Although no affirmative ac-
ton on either side had been reach.
ed up to the time of the presidents
departure, encouraging dispatches
were received from Nelson O'Shaugh-
messy, in charge of the American
embassy at Mexico City, bearing on
the general situation. These reached
yhe president a few hours before
grain time and led him to determine
upon short rest over Labor Day.
Nothing in the advices from Mex
leo City gave the administration of
iicials cause for particular anxi
and it was the conviction that az
! in the diplomatic exchange would be-
beneficial to all concerned. The pres
ident. it is known, feels that good
many come from an opportunity for
The position Of this government to
sink in.'
Excitement subsiding over the ex-
change of proposals and replies
would, it was believed, lead to fur
ther negotiations between the officials
Of Mexico City and John Lind, the
personal representative of this gov
ernment.
Mr.. Lind, it was asserted tonight
had been instructed from Washington
10 continue to act at his own discre-
tiOn as to whether he should await de-
velOpments at Vera Cruz or return to
Mexico City. Up to a late hour no
dispatches had been received at the
state department from Mr.. Lind. Sec
retary Bryan said before leaving for
an overnight trip in Pennsylvania
that he believed the envoy would re-
mian in Vera Cruz tonight. Early in
the day Mr.. Bryan conferred with the
president over the reply of Senor
i Gamboa, Mexican secretary OF foreign
affairs, to Mr.. Lind's second note.
They also considered a message sent
by Mr.. Lind to Washington yesterday
afternoon. That these latest COM
munications gave reason for hopeful
expectations was freely admitted
Mr.. Lind, it was reported, probably
would make the next move in the ne
gotiations, which the president en-
phatically asserted in his message had
not been closed and could be resumed
on the initiative Of either nation. The
fact that the Mexico City officials III
their second note of reply had re-
ceded from the demand for an en-
change of accredited ambassadors, it
was pointed out, left an opening for
future moves. The view was ex-
pressed that the Gamboa reply to .he
second American note might actuate
Mr.. Lind to address a third note to the
officials of the Huerta government
Acting at his own discretion, it was
suggested, the American representa-
tive might forward a message to Mex
leo City from Vera Cruz before de-
termining upon going to the Mexican
capital in person for a renewal Of di-
rect negotiations.
Before deciding to go to Cornish,
President Wilson discussed the situa-
ton at length with cabinet officers
and arrangements were made whereby
he could be notified at once of any de.
velOpments. Should anything happen
! to require his presence in Washing
/ ton before Tuesday, he planned to re-
turn at moments notice. Mr..
Tumulty, secretary to the president,
remained in Washington tonight to be
in direct touch with developments,
planning to go to his New Jersey homo
! tomorrow, however, upon the return
of Secretary Bryan.
Iiundeds Of kilograms and letters
reached the White House from all
parts of the country expressing ap-
prOval of President Wilson's message
on Mexico. These were not made pub
lie but the president is known to have
been highly gratificd at the sympa~
thetic reception his course had re-
Ceived.