The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-04
MEXICAN REBELS
MAY GET SUPPLIES
|NUN|TED STATES
(Continued From Fi1st Pnge.O

outside power Is to undertake to sweep
Mexico with its armed forces from end
to end, which would be the mere be-
ginning Of n still more difficult prob
lem.
by removing tho inhibition on the
expectation of arms and ammunition
into Mexico, the government of the
United States put itself and intends
to put itself, in tho Same position as
other nations. whose subjects all along
have been at liberty to deal as they
pleased with Mexico. The government
OF tho United States deems IL essential
to the settlement of her present Diff
hculties that Mexico should be treat
ed AS any other country would be
which was torn by civil war
Tho circumstances that Mexico Is
for the present time unable to meet
her financial obligation. creates no
novel or exceptional international
rights, and she will be the sooner able
to meet ner obligations and resume
her full international responsible
ties IL she is left TO herself to deter
mino her own affairs, first by domestic
force and then by domestic council"
Lever of Influence.
Shipment OF arms and ammunition
from the United States into Mexico
has been one of the principal levers OF
American influence In the Mexican stu
alton, and has been the storm centre
OF agitation ever since armed revo-
luton began In Mexico in November,
1910. 1t was charged by tho Diaz gov
eminent. then in power. that the re-
beilion waged by Mexico was sustained
by arms purchased in the United States
President Taft ordered troops to the
Mexican border to enforce neutrality.
but notwiths landing this, the iIadero
revolution was quickly successful. The
border patrol OF several thousand
troops since has been maintained chief
~ to prevent smuggling OF arms
The United States was confronted in
the spring of 1912 with another revo-
lutionary outbreak, this time by OroZco
against the Madcro government, which
had been formally recognized. Again
the United States took the position OF
assisting the regularly constituted gov
ernmcnt. but President Taft asked for
specific Legislation empowering him to
make the embargo against arms more
effective. Accordingly, "A joint resolu-
ton was passed on March IA, 1912, by
Congress, providing:
That whenever the President shall
find that in any American country con-
ditions of domestic violence exist
which are promoted by the use Of arms
or munitions of war procured from the
United states and shall make procla-
nation thereof. It shall be unlawful TO
export, except under such limitations
and exceptions as the President shall
prescribe, any arms or munitions OF
war from any place in the United States
TO such country until otherwise ordered
by the President or by Congress-"
Change Of Policy.
1t was under this resolution of "ex-
ceptions" that the Washington gov
eminent. when President Wilson was
inaugurated, was permitting arms to
go to the Huerta government, but
Keeping them from the rebels. From
then until late August the same policy
was pursued.
The President in an address to Con-
gross then announced his decision to
deny arms to all factions. This was
regarded as tantamount to n declara-
ton that constitutional government no
longer existed in Mexico, and that the
assistance hitherto given legally con-
stituted regime should cease.
The actual operation Of this embargo
instead of effecting neutrality imposed
a condition of affairs against which
Constitutionalists protested vigorous
ly. They argued that the Huerta gov
eminent could obtain supplies from
Europe. whereas the Constitutionalists