Evening star., 1914-04-21
DOUBT Of PROCEDURE
IF WAR IS DECLARED
Conjecture Regarding Precedent in
Dealing With Mexican EN-
bassy Officials.

What diplomatic precedent would gov
ern the procedure of the United States
in dealing with the Mexican embassy in
Washington and the representative of
Mexico. Senor Don A. Algara r. de Ter
reros, charge d affairs. in the event that
circumstances would require dismissal of
the charge from American territory. is
the subject of considerable conjecture in
diplomatic circles. AS the government
Of Mexico is not recognized. the status
Of Senior Algara is equivocal. and the
necessities of the situation are not en-
rrely apparent.
Even if recognition of the Huerta gov
ernment would be involved in handing
Senor Algara his passports as persona
non grata, in the event of hostlities or
ton. at such a moment such an act OF
recognition would have hardly any sig
niticance of value, il is contended. STILL
form would most likely prevail. and a
formal dismissal may be regarded as
doubtful expedient to meet the conditions.
Bears Regular Credentials.
the United States as first secretary of
embassy and charge affaires. The ere
dentials of the last ambassador, Senor
Madero, have never been withdrawn in
favor of successor. and he is still ac-
credited to the United States With the
retirement of Ambassador Calero. toward
the close of the Taft administration.
Senor Algara presented his credentials
as first secretary in charge-still while
Madero was President of Hexico-and
these were duly accepted and recorded
by the State Department.
His relations to the United States,
officially, If not in fact. are Identical with
the relations of Charge 'Shaughnessy to
the Mexican government Both have ere
dentals of former administrations pre-
-ented when the de facto government of
exico was fully recognized.
The precedent OF the Spanish-American
AZ throws little light on the matter.
he Spanish minister left Washington the
fay war was declared. turning over the
lip omatic affairs Of Spain to the lega-
on of another foreign power represent
I'd in washington He took refuge In
Canada without delay, where he remain
cd about month before returning to
spain
Senior Algara's Probable Refuge.
Should Senior Algara be required to
leave the United States in view of the
impossibility of returning directly to
Mexico. 1t is likely that he would find
temporary asylum in Canada. There is
little probability that. should he choose
TO remain in the United States, any Off
cfal notice Of his presence would be
taken. unless made necessary by politi-
cal activities. France, which has heavy
Investments in Mexico and has large
holdings of Mexican securities, might be
expected to take charge Of the diplomatic
affairs of Mexico in the United States
during the time that Mexico would be un-
represented.
The Mexican embassy, in the recent
days OF acute trouble. has had little news
to impart- Senior Algara has been at his
post. but has maintained an attitude of
silence. First Secretary Huerta, who for
q time was acting consul general at New,
York city. and Second Secretary Fernan-
dez are the other principal diplomatic
officials here. The clerical corps has
been much diminished during the past
few months.