The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-25

continued rom ruSt fuge.
spirit, and no attempt was made here
tonight to conceal the fact that alarm
ID felt for the Americans who have not
yet left the country.
With these Developments steadily
pushing the United States toward an
open declaration Of war steps were
taken to-day by Mt least one European
Power to make known its Willingness
to act in the capacity Of mediator.
It was understood that the French Am
bassador Informed Secretary Bryan In
u most informal way that IL there was
any disposition TO resort to mediation
France would he glad To take the
,nltiative. There were Indications In
dispatches from Madrid that King Al
fonso of Spain also was disposed to
offer his good offices IN the present
crisis.
Funda me % tai Obl~etios.
In regard to any suggestion OF medi-
ation. however. the Wilson .Adninistra-
lion IL again confronted with the
fundamental objection that Ii might in
volve "a recognition OF the Huerta Gov
eminent There was no indication to-
ton from the United States. The i'm
preston is growing that President Will
son will he satisfied now at nothing
less than complete reparation by IIuerta
and that this cannot he brought about
through the intervention of any third
party.
Reports THAI reached Washington in
the course of the day showed that for
elgners are fleeing from Mexico by the
thousands The caring for ard han
ding OF these refugees Is a problem
which the Government Is now making
every effort to meet. The refugees are
being carried by warships and private
vessels. hurriedy requisitioned, TO
American ports.
In the meantime President Wilson Is
insisting on his technical Interpretation
oe existing conditions. He maintains
that no state OF war exists between
this Government and Mexico. and that
what has been done thus far has been
merely by way Of reprisal. Further
more there was every indication to-
night thar this will continue to be the
Presidents contention until he is forced
BY a declaration Of war on the part of
Huerta or by some aggressive act by
the dictator. to take another stand.
that Huerta In not going TO take the
initiative in the matter of formally de-
claring war, but will continue TO harry
the United States forces and commit
depredations on American property in
Mexico until he has forced Presiden.
Wilson into a declaration. The Next
can dictator is clever enough to realize
the advantage it will give him in the
eyes Of the world to have the United
States with its tremendous military
power take the initiative In an open
war declaration against a weak and
bleeding Mexico.
Army Omcers Worried.
How long the present anomalous stu
alton will continue is a question that is
worrying army and navy officers In
Washington. The opinion Is now being
openly expressed that such conditions IS
exist to-day cannot long continue. 1t is
pointed out that European governments
have rights in this matter and will soon
take steps TO obtain a definite statement
Of the intention OF the United States
Government. As IL Is now, all shipping
from European ports for Mexico is leav-
ing without knowing whether or not an
actual state OF war will exist when II
reaches its destination. This uncer-
tainty, 1t is contended, cannot continue
long before European governments will
he forced by their commercial interests
TO call for a definite declaration.
All military men in Washington. par
ticularly army officers. are chatting
under the delay In ordering the execu-
ton Of military plans and taking formal
steps to designate as war the conditions
H.. ..,l,
extreme reluctance that President Will
son consented to send one brigade OF
infantry to Vera Cruz Army officers
had hoped before this To see at least an
entire division of troops at Vera Cruz
prepared to back up the naval forces In
any dash which they might be obliged
10 make inland to protect the lives OF
Americans. 1t is acknowledged on al
sides that there is real danger of just
such a contingency, but It will be al
least three days before the brigade
which left Galveston this afternoon car
land at Vera Cruz.
Preparations Go Forward.
In the meantime. preparations ar,
rapidly going forward for the movemen
Of other troops but there is no Ger
tainty that the President will consen
10 a further reinforcement at this tim,
of the American forces already on MeXi
can soil.
Both President Wilson and Secretar,
Bryan are struggling hard to fin,
ground for their original confidence il
Carranza and villa as furnishing th
solution of the present Mexican situa
ton. Ever since Carranza's note o
warning to the United States was re
ceived at the State Department. eff
forts have been going on to bring abou
better understanding with the Con
stitutionaist chief and so put NOR
favorable light on the relations between
him and this government.
The Administration was admitted
pleased day at Villas declaration tina
the United States should have nothin
to fear from him.
Secretary Bryan was in conferenc
both to-day and yesterday with job
Douglas, who represents the Const!tu
tionallsts in Washington. The Admin
istration officials are seeking to pei
suadc themselves that the Carranza not