Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-27

Washington, Feb. 26.-President Will son took the position today that for the United States to send marines or arm ed forces of any kind into Mexico with out the consent of the governing au- thorities there would be an act of war. He declared emphatically that permis- sion to send such forces never had been sought of either General Huerta or General Carranza, and indicated clear 1y that no request of that character would be made in the near future The president announced, too, that no change in the policy of the American government toward Mexico had been decided upon.
 Many Unfounded Reports.
 The president had been asked par ticularly about reports that American troops might be sent across the border to recover the body of William s. Ben ton, the British subject recently exc euted at Juarez and concerning pub ished despatches that the United States contemplated sending parties to Mexico City to guard the American embassy.
 One press despatch, saying General Huerta himself had stated today that he had refused permission to the Unit ed States to send 200 marines to Mex ico City, was shown to President Will son, who said it was absolutely untrue that such a. request had been made. He added that neither Charge O'Shaugh- messy nor anyone else had been au- thorized to discuss with the Huerta government the landing of American marines in Mexico.
 Embassy Guard Considered Unneces-
 sary.
 Administration officials expressed the opinion that General Huerta probably inspired the statement about American marines at this time merely for effect upon the Mexican people, whom he hoped to impress with his antipathy to the American government, as it is well known that permission to land marines for legation guards has been freely accorded by Huerta to other nations, including Great Britain and Germany.
 The president explained to inquirers that the talk of sending marines to Mexico had never got beyocd the stages of mere discussion among ad- minfstration officials. He said that when Great Britain and Germany sent marines to Mexico City to guard their legations, though the United States was apprised in advance of the step and offered no objections there was 8 natural disposition here to determine whether the American government should take similar action. His infor- nation, he added, was that Mexico City was quiet and that there was no dan- ger to foreigners. and when Charge 'Shaughnessy and Rear Admiral Fletcher were asked for their opinions about an embassy guard, both advised that such step was not necessary. Would involve Recognition of Huerta.
 It was clearly realized by the ad- ministration here at the time the dis cussion began that to ask the Huerta government for permission to land ma zines would involve a recognition of that government.
 In discussing the subject of sending armed forces into Mexico the president showed familiarity with the 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 landing of American marines in Nicaragua to protect 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 it was suggested to him that President Buchanan in message to congress had advocated sending troops into northern Mexico to restore peace. Mfr Wilson said he had recently read the message and called attention to the failure of President Buchanan to point out any rule of jntrenational la wun- der which armed forces could be sent Into another country without the lat ter's permission unless it were an act of war.
 Nc Intention to Partition Mexico.
 The president views the general sit uation in Mexico as far as the progress of the revolution is concerned as little changed. Huerta's resources he thinks, have been weakened, and he has learn nd of an undertone of dissatisfaction among Mexicans in the territory con- t9olIed by Huerta at the latter's ar1oi- Mary eaction of funds He indicated That he had inquired into various re- ports about American financial aid to Earranza, and was convinced that there was no barter in concessions between Carranza and American tinanciers.