Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-27


1t was clearly realized by the admin
istration here at the time the discussion
began that to ask the Huerta govern
ment for permission to land marines
would involve a recognition of that
government.
Familiar with Precedents.
In discussing the subject of sending
armed forces into Mexico the President
showed familiarity with precedents.
pointing out that at the time of the
Boxer rebellion. the Chinese govern
ment had virtually invited the allied
powers to protect their legations be-
cause of its own inability to do so.
He referred to the fact that the land
ing of American marines in Nicaragua
to protect a railroad was done with the
permission of the Nicaraguan govern
ment The President saw no parallel
in Mexico to the situation that existed
at the time of the Boxer outbreak.
When 1t was suggested to him that
President Buchanan in a message to
Congress had advocated sending troops
into northern Mexico to restore peace
Mr.. Wilson said he had recently read
the message and called attention to the
failure of President Buchanan to point
out any rule of international law un-
der which armed forces could be sent
into any country without the latter's
permission unless it were an act of
war.
The President views the general sirua-
ton in Mexico as far as the progress of
the revolution is concerned as but little
changed.
Huerta's resources, he thinks, have
been weakened. He indicated that he had
inquired into various reports about Amer
lean financial aid to Carranza and was
convinced that there was no barter in
concessions between Carranza and Amer
lean financiers. Mr.. Wilson thinks Car
rama is getting most of his funds by in
ternal taxation and import duties.
No independent Republic.
Incidentally Mr.. Wilson disposed of
report that an independent republic was
being planned for northern Mexico. He
said he had information from men who
knew CarranZa's mind and the purposes
of the Constitutonalsts generally that
the idea of a partition of Mexico had
been absolutely rejected and disavowed
by them, and that their main aim in the
revolution was TO redeem Mexico from
the stains which has been put upon it.
On the Benton episode specifically. the
President had little information to reveal
He said the United States government
was slowly finding out the details, that
its course in the meantime must neces-
sarily be a patient one. No reply had
been received to the request for the sur
render of Bentons body. and for infor-
nation as to where the grave was locat-
ed. or as to whether a British represent
ative would be permitted the American
consul and an army surgeon when the
body was exhumed for examination. The
failure to answer these questions the
President believed was due to difficulties
In communicating with Villa, who, he
supposed, was moving about from place
to place.
That Benton was an aggressive, SELF
assertfve individual is the information
which has reached the President, but
he ventured no opinion on the merits
of the incident in which the Briton was
killed.
1t would not be dangerous for the
British consul to go to Juarez, nor
need Americans fear to go across the
border at that point, according to a
report which the President had reeeiv-
ed from Consul Edwards. The latest
report was that all missing Americans
and Englishmen had been accounted
for except Gustav Bauch.
Discussion In Congressional circles
of the Benton incident and Mexican
situation generally was continued to-
day. Members of the Senate are dis
posed to suspend judgment and
speeches until all the facts are gath
cred, but in the House Representative
Kahn, Republican of California, made
a speech today, as did Representative
Ainey. Republican of Pennsylvania,
Yesterday arguing for more drastic
policy by the American government.
The House committee on foreign ar
fairs tomorrow will consider behind
doors the resolution Of Mr.. Ainey con-
cerning protection for Americans In