The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-26
MEDIATION OFFER
IS BEST POSSIBLE
WAY TOEND CRISIS
A &C eptance Will Not
Halt Original Program
of Operations.
Especial to The Times-Dlspatch.

washington. April 25.-'The accept
ance by the United States Of the ofrer
of mediation. made by the South
American republics. provided the same
good offices arc accepted by the Mexi-
can authorities Ii the best possible
way Of settling the present critical
situation" declared Congressman
Flood, OF Virginia, chairman OF the
House Foreign Affairs Committee, to
tho correspondent OF The Times Dis
patch upon coming out OF tho confer
ence at o'clock this evening with
President Wilson. Senators Stone and
Shively, chairman md acting chair
man. respectively, of the Senate For
eign Relations Committee, Senator
Lodge, ranking Republican on the com
mittee. and Congressman Cooper.
ranking Republican on tho House
committee.
The Senators and Congressman on
tho Foreign Relations Committee Of
both Legislative bodies were called to
the White House Mt o'clock, and dis
cussed with President Wilson every
phase of the mediation proffer for
about forty-five minutes. mt the end
of which President Wilson made pub
lie this governments reply.
Tho reply made to the South Amer
lean republics by this country" said
Mr.. Flood. means that we Will agree
to arbitrate our differences with the
defacto government of Mexico In re-
gard to the saluate OF twenty-one guns.
provided Huerta Will do the same
While the negotiations arc going on,
We Will carry out our original pro-
gram of operations. which contemplat-
ed the seizure OF the ports OF Vera
Cruz. Tampico. Guaymas and Mazat-
Ian.
while awaiting the reply OF Huerta
and CarranZa. we will proceed under
what might be termed our present
head OF steam that Is. our battleships
already under order to go TO Mexican
ports will continue on their way. as
Will tho thousands OF marines and tho
Third and Fourth Brigades. composing
several regiments of infantry. We will
not for the present. however. unless
condition greatly change. order any
more ships or army detachments to the
already there are not threatened with
serious danger In which event we will
reinforce both branches OF the service
as conditions warrant.
Operations VIII Continue.
The seizure OF these four custom
ports was all that was originally In
tended by President Wilson. and these
operations will continue. pending ne
gotiartons. Should Huerta refuse to
accept the friendly offices of the South
American republics we Will then prob
ably adopt different course. For
bring down upon him the criticism OF
NIL tho civilized nations of the world.
AND give the United States the solid
moral support OF the nations
1T Is not the Intention or the United
states to stop at n settlement OF the
imbrosiio over tho twenty -one-gun sa-
lute incident. but to widen tho scope OF
the arbitration SO as to bring about a
condition of peace between the warning
FACTIONS In troubled Mexico.
The President and tho gentlemen
with whom he discussed the arbitration
note this evening were practically all
FIRM In the belief that the South
Americans. being OF tho Same race "a
tho Mexicans. and possibly understand
Ing them better than wo do, can bring
ABOUT a truce between tho Federals
and Constitutionaiists, which will re-
SUIT In the formation of Il stable gov
eminent In Mexico and end the whole
troubled situation there.
Tho acceptance of tho offer of ar
oitrntion which was received three or
Tour days ago. and has been under
consideration since. is mighty good
thing from moro than one angle II
VIII bring to tho aid OF the United
states, both In n moral and physical
way. tho three largest countries OF
south america for the pacification OF
Mexico. II the situation should bo-
como rather troublesome for us in
Mexico. I'm our etsorts to bring about
tranquility there. there Is not q doubt
that these three countries would Of
Ter the services of their naval and
military forces.
Our acceptance OF the offer will
practically bring to our moral support
all the countries OF South America dis
pei any possible suspicion on their part
that we have In mind any territory
grab. and prevent the possibility OF am
European nation doing anything that
VIII In any way embarass us in our