The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-03
MYSTERY SHROUDS
L|ND'S CONFERENCE
WITH THE PRESIDENT
Three-HOur Consultation Is
Held on Chester, But No
Word Divulged as to
Its Nature

Pass Christian, Miss, January 2.-Pres-
ident Wilson and John Lind, his personal
representative in Mexico, tonight sat In
the cabin of ;he scout cruiser Chester,
deeply absorbed in discussion of the
Mexican situation.
1t was their first meeting since last
July, when the President conferred with
Mr.. Lind at the White House preparatory
to the latter's departure for Mexico City
with Instructions that created a diplo-
matte episode in American history.
For two days mysterious reticence
has been apparent al the presidential
cottage. concerning the present confer
ence. When dispatches from Vera Cruz
ennounced sEst Mr.. Lind would come TO
Pass Christian, there was a noticeable
manifestation of displeasure among the
members of the Presidents party that
his destination should have been made
public. President Wilson had hoped to
slip quietly away aboard the revenue cut
ter Winona 'for yachting trip" and
meet Mr.. Lind at sea-
Effort Frustrated
The same effort at secrecy with re-
spect to the Chesters wherea bouts were
frustrated by wireless news of her loca-
tion near Ship Island last night
For nearly four hours Mr.. Lind was
off shore on the cruiser Chester before
meeting the President and instead of
permitting the personal envoy to come
ashore. President Wilson took a trip in
2O-foot launch, mounted a companion
way to the revenue cutter Winona and
was transhipped again in mid-ocean to
The Chester.
The conference lasted until after 8
o'clock when the President left the Ches-
ter and returned to Gufport where au-
tonobiles were ready to take him to
Pass Christian. Just as much secrecy
as characterized the Presidents first
meeting with Mr.. Lind was evident on
this occasion.
information as to what the President
Intended to do was denied the news
paper correspondents who are here. A big
squad of them was on hand at the oys-
ter dock at O'Clock when President
Wilson. accompanied by DR.. Cary 7.
Grayson and two secret service men,
appeared. The revenue cuntter Winona
came as close to the shore as possible
and sent launch for the President
The nations chief executive got into
the bobbing craft and in 10 minutes the
PRESIDENTS flag was hoisted on the man-
mast of the cutter, which turned her
prov seaWard, followed by a tug char
iered by the newspaper correspondents.
Three-Hour Conference
1t was nearly three hours before the
roo aloa 1,;srt
was shining when the headlights of the
Chester were sighted.
As the revenue cutter drew near ma
rines and ships officers stood at atten-
ton, but no presidential salute was fired
as IL was after sundown AS the Presi-
eent came over the side the presiden-
tial flag was unfurled from the Chesters S
mainInast. Mr.. Lind was the first to
grasp the Presidents hand. The two i'm
mediately retired to the cabin They had
been in conference about an hour when
the red and blue lights in the fore rig
s1ng of the Chester began to flash a
mysterious naval Morse to the revenue
cutter.
The conference lasted another hour. and
the President was then transferred to
the Winona. which brought him back at
top speed to Gulfport
President Wilson arrived at GuIfnort
dock after midnight and motored 10
his cottage, where he arrived at l
o'clock.
The President sent word that he
would have nothing to say tonight,
but agreed to meet the correspondents
carly tomorrow morning
1t was learned that the Chester would
start for Vera Cruz tomorrow after
noon, as soon as Norman Lind and
John Lind, Jr., could go aboard for
short visit with their father.