New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-05-29
HUMANITY FIRST
HIS NEW POLICY
Drops "WatChful Waiting
TO Save Helpless Wom-
en- and Children.
ASKS PEOPLE TO AID
Calls for Supplies, and Will Use
ANY Means Necessary TO
Distribute Them.

Tie lTN4f bureau
Washington, May 2S.-President
Wilson will take drastic measures
in Mexico unless there is a change
in the present intolerable conditions
in that country. Unless the warning
factions IN Mexico allow the distri-
button Of foodstuffs to starving
women and children in that country
the President will use means to &C
compl,h this. a statement to this
efe.t will be issued Tuesday.
The brief announcement intimat-
inc the change In the Presidents at
ttude was made this afternoon soon
after President Wilson had affixed
hi, signature to the Red Cross ap-
neal for contributions of foodstuffs
fom the American people to relieve
the famine conditions now prevail
inc I'M Mexico. This announcement
read
When the Presidents appeal for
aid for the Mexicans was issued 1t
wa, also stated at the Executive
OfFce that statement from the
President ou the present situation
might be expected within the next
few day
Only one Interpretation was
placed on this announcement. 1t
was .ha. President Wilson, having
asked for aid for the starving
Nexicans. would inform the Ameri-
can people that he intended to see
that the foodstuffs they contributed
went directly 10 the starving people
if he had TO call on the armed
forces Of the United States to bring
this about.
Talk Of Intervention, which has been
dormant ever since the European war
diverted attention from the situation
nearer home, was Immediately revived
by the White House statement. Many
diplomats VINO interpreted the day s
events ss the forerunner OF new
policy though Intervention was an in
evitsble outcome Of the situation. and
that the United States was paving the
way FOR such action by notifying the
world Of ,ts purpose 20 take the step
Tor the sake OF humanity. They pointed
out that s similar utterance had pre-
eeded Intervention in Cuba In 1898.
For the present it is understood the
notiaca ou 90 all the Mexican factions
OF the Iutolerab!e state OF affairs and
,he des'le OF the American government
!or bettermcnt Of conditions Will be
allowed 20 stand without explanation
While the relief work Of the American
hee Cross is undertaken in earnest.
lhe belief IS widespread in official
tnd diplomatic circles that an lmme-
date effect Of the forthcoming state
ment VIII be 20 give warning that re
Aei supplies must not be appropriated
o. the military factions and that they
h1st assist IN feeding The starving
p0Du'acc
While the Presidents statement will
not announce specifically the alterna-
I'VE course 10 case IL is not needed,
me general trend Of comment tonight
indicated that the United States gov
erumert, as a frs; step IN such con
-ngercy, would insist on keeping the
railroad between Vera Cruz and Mex
ico City open for the transportation o.
supplies, and might even deliver IT'S
supple 20 the people in other Mexican
cites Dy governmental agencies.
me governments plans, = ls said,
"..l take several weeks 10 be worked
cut, and ,hey are not expected 20 come
10 decisive point while the delicate
-e%o'aNoLs with Germany are IN
roeress
The change iu President Wilson s
mind came quickly to-day. Only Few
4s,s ago ne had let II be known that
mo policy Of "watchful waiting was
ne had before him several telegrams
telling o. thousands IF women and
children starving in Mexico. lie had
ports from consuls showing destltu-
ton was widespread. and he also had
the report Of Duvall West. who re-
gently returned from Investigations
'here, and who made frank statements
IS 20 the true conditions.
As the Presidents announcement was
beng read he was seated alone in ms
study going through these kilograms
and reports. II is understood tonight
that be has already started TO prepare
his message on Mexico. that there Will
be no mistaking its language. and that
the cause OF humanity and justice
which he sought 80 strongly to impress