Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-23
Insists Quarrel is With
Huerta, Who Controls
Territory, Though
Without Right.
CHANGE IN PLANS OF
MILITARY OPERATIONS
Following Carranza Message,
War Board FOrmuIates Moves
to Strengthen Border Where.
Outbreaks Are Feared-Gen.
Wood Awaits Orders.

WASHINGTON, April 23.-Presi-
dent Wilson today issued the follow
ing comment on the Carranza state
ment;
II wish to reiterate with the great
est earnestness that it is the desire
and intention of this government to
respect in every possible way the
sovereignty and independence of the
people of Mexico.
THE feeling and intention of the
government in this matter are not
based upon politics. They go much
deeper than that. They are based
upon genuine friendship for the
Mexican people. and profound in
terest in the establishment Of their
constitution system.
Whatever unhappy circumstances
or necessities may arise, this object
will be held steadily in view and pur-
sued with consistent purpose, so far
as this government is concerned.
Huerta Controls Territory.
But we are dealing with facts,
wherever and whenever the dignity
of the United States is houted, its
International rights or the rights of
its citizens invaded, or is influence
rebuffed where 1t has the right to
ment must deal with those actually
in control. 1t is now dealing with
General Huerta in the territory he
now controls.
THAT he does not rightfully con-
troll, does not alter the fact that he
does control ii. We are dealing,
moreover. only with those whom he
commands and those who come to his
support With these we must deal
They do not lawfully represent the
people of Mexico In that fact, we
rejoice. because our quarrel Is not
with the Mexican people and we do
not Adesire. to dictate their affairs;
but we must enforce our rightfut de-
inands upon those whom the existing
authorities at the place where we act,
do. for the time being, represent.
Change In Military Campaign.
A complete change III the plan of
military campaign in Mexico may be
necess 'tated by the rnenacing attitude
of the Constitutionalists, and that
subject now is under discussion by
the joint board of the army and
navy and the secretaries of the two
military DEPARTMENTS. Predicated upon
the belief that the Constitutionalists
would observe an attitude of strict
neutrality during the settlement of
government and General Huerta, no
arrangements have been made In re-
gard to the disposition OF American
militery forces on the northern bor-
der beyond those necessary to meet
possible small local disturbances.
Late reports however. from Consu-
lar Agent Carothers indicate growing
turbulence and the DEVELOPMENT of
anti-American feeling IN the north of
Mexico and particularly in the neigh
borhood of Chihuahua. where many
Americans have elected to remain in
charge Of their own business interests
ana in disregard of preceding warn
inos from he American consular Of
ficers, relyine upon the supposed good
will of the Constitutianalists
Danger at Fort Bliss.
A danger spot has developed rapid
ly at Fort B IS, wherc, owing to the
diversion of a argeproportion of the
American garrisV to other border
points, the 5,o0T Mexican internes.
consposed of the Federal soldiers and
their wives. who fled from Ojinaga
some months ago are within a barbed
wire enclosure, insufficiently guarded
The status of these interneslts likely
20 be changed very soon to that of
prisoners of war; and t is the inten-
tion of the war department TO take
them to d point sufficiently distant
from the boarder to insure their safe
keeping, as soon as the necessary
funds are Forthcoming.
Plans of campaign are being ar
ranged on the lines of the immediate
establishment of su cient protec-
fion ong the entire northern border
ri Mexico for the American in
habitants in Texas and the other bor-
Ners.
Gen. Wood Awaits Orders.
General Wood still is awaiting or
ders at the war department. No call
has yet been issued for the militia,
and it is said that nothing could be
done in that direction until Congress
had acted by authorizing the move
ment and by providing the large
amount of money ne essary for the
concentration of the militia forces at
the various camps which already
have been selected In the respective
States.
Secretary of War Garrison called
a conference at his office after Gem
eral Wood ard General Wotherspoon
had been together an our General
Woterspoon and Brig. General e. w.
Weaver, chief of coast artillery,
toined the secretary.