The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-02-04
TELLS DIPLOMATIC PROBLEMS
PRESIDENT OUTLINES INFOR.
MAILiY STATUS OF INTER.
NATIONAL QUESTIONS.
Eliminates RumOrs OF Impending
Trouble Bred or Conference With
Members of the Senate Foreign Re-
lations Committee

Washington, Jan. 29.--President
Wilson today outlined informally the
status Of problems OF American diplo-
macy brought into the foreground OF
public attention by his recent confer
ence with the senate committee on
foreign relations. He reiterated with
emphasis that no crisis was at hand
In any OF the questions he had dis
cussed. unless the Mexican situation
could be construed as in the nature
or a perpetual crisis, fraught always
with the possibility OF sudden change
or unexpected developments.
The president sounded a warning
against unwarranted speculation in
the press on foreign questions, indi-
eating that governments frequently
were embarrassed by unfounded re-
ports.
The president made 1t clear that
while he had taken up the relations
with Mexico. Japan. Great Britain
and the general arbitration treaties
simultaneously with the senators,
these problems were not grouped to-
gether as having any bearing on the
Mexican situation.
With respect to Mexico the presi-
dent let II be known that the only set.
tied part OF his policy mt present was
10 continue the course OF watchful
waiting. but that was a day-to day
conviction with him subject to devei-
opments. He has not made up his
mind to lift the embargo on arms, but
is considering arguments for and
against this course.
In this connection the president
pronounced as false the report that
the Japanese government was supply
Ing munitions OF war TO the Huerta
government. This was inquired into
by Ambassador Guthrie at Tokyo,
who learned that one shipment of
arms had gone to Mexico from a
Japanese commercial house and that
another consignment was to be sent.
The president made II clear that the
United States never had asked any
nation to restrict expectations OF
arms to Mexico. knowing that this
government possessed no such right
and that special legislation would
have to be enacted by each country
60 prohibit commercial transactions.
The president believes that foreign
governments are doing all they can to
show friendly spirit towards the
United States In the Mexican situa-
ton. The American government real
ines that the Huerta administration
has a plentiful supply Of ammunition
and arms. President Wilson Is in
formed that Gen. Huerta is obtaining
no funds abroad but IL living on the
country by forced contributions and
increased taxes--a situation that Ia
producing much satisfaction in
Mexico. according to official reports
here.
onicially nothing Is known about
the reported transfer OF Sir Lionel
Garden. British minister TO Mexico,
and administration officials here
realize that for Great Britain to send
a minister TO present his credentials
to Huerta would mean recognition
ancw.
As to relations between the United
States and Japan II became known
that the two governments were dis
cussing various proposals to cement
friendly relations but that negotia-
uons over the merits OF the California
allen land question had been closed
Tho United States government, 1t was
learned. views that phase OF the ques-
ton as concluded because the federal
government can not, under the consti-
tuition. dictate TO state what its land
laws should contain, and because no
court decision has defined whether or
not u treaty can override "a state law
or vice versa. II Is understood this
contention. as well as the doubt OF
the Uulted States on whether or not
any treaty with Japan actually was
violated. were the underlying reasons
Tor the determination OF the Amer
lean government to bring out n new
treaty or some other proposal that
would make perfectly evident the
sincere friendship of the American
people to Japan. Nothing along this
line. however. has been formulated
Count Chinda. the Japanese am
bassador. today conferred with Sec
retary Bryan. The Japanese govern
ment is taking n deep interest 1t Is
known. In pending immigration leg
islation a. " might affect Japan. Sec