The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1916-04-27
Washington Letter
From our Regular Correspondcntl
MEXICAN CONDITIONS WORSE

MEXICAN CONDITIONS WORSE
After Emphatically denying for sew
eral days that Cauanza had demanded
Withdrawal Of American uo)pS from
Mexican territory, the White House
was forced TO admit BY the newspaper
publication Of the text Of Caranza's
message. that he had. Coincidentally
with this admission came news Of the
clash between American and Carranza
troops and civilians at Parral, which
greatly increased the anxiety Of the
military authorieties regarding the fate
Of all or portions OF General Pershing's
command. Furthermore there has
come the disclosure that the White
House misstated the facts when it an
nounced that Cauanza had consented TO
the entry Of American troops into MeXi-
co in pursuit OF Villa. The text Of
Carranza's note, now made public,
shows that he consented only in the
event Of another raid following that at
Columbus, to this Governments send
ing an armed force after Villa. With
that indirectness which is one Of the
chief characteristics Of this Ad'
ministration, President Wilson instruct
ed Secretary Lansing to ignore the
condition prescribed by Caranza and
to announce that Cauanza consented
to the punitive expedition. Mr., Ian
sing did SO, but Immediately thereafter
left for Hot Springs to take "a much
needed rest" a step which caused
amazement at the time, in view OF the
delicate situation with regard to Mexi-
CO, but which now seems TO be ex-
planned by the unwelcome task set
him by his chief.
No CHANGE OF POLICY: When
the news Of the conflict at Parrall was
first received it was admitted at the
White House that perhaps alter all,
the American troops would be with
drawn, but it was stated that the policy
would be decided on at Fridays Cabi-
net meeting aud the decision announ-
ced thereafter. After the Cabinet
meeting yesterday, it was gravely an
nounced that With regard TO Mexico
there will be no change in policy"
What that means everyone must guess
for himself as there has never been
any consistent Mexican policy since
MIR. Wilson'S effort to drive Huerta
out OF Mexico proved successful, and
as the most astute judge Of information
al affairs can discern no principle Of
the Administration in its dealings with
Mexico which has endured more than
twenty-iour hours. Neither the Presi-
dent nor his Secretary would explain
what was meant by no change policy"
even when it was suggested that an
absence Of change in itself implied a
complete change.
DANIELS NOT TO BLAME: That Jo-
sephus Daniels, Secretary Of the Navy,
is not primarily to blame for the gag
ging Of navy officers and for most Of
the egregious blunders he apparently
has made is the charge made by Hen
ry Reuterdhal, the graetest expert on
tle American Navy. Mr.. Retuerdahl
charges what many have long suspect
ed, that Woodrow Wilson is responsible
for most OF the Daniels breaks" and
tlat DIniels is just the type Of little
man which Mr.. Wilson likes to have
in his Cabinet. He possesses neither
dignity nor character and is so delight
ed at simply being in the Cabinet that
he cheerIully does whatever the Presi-
dent tell him to, denies facts with al
acrity, accepts the blame comp!acently
and does nor even demus when, as
happens from time 10 time, the Presi'
dent turns on him and kicks him.
Aside from the fact that no man knows
the inner workings Of the navy so we'll
as Mr.. Reuterdahl, futher color is given
10 his charge by the fact that Mr.. Will
son quqneled with Secretary Garrison
who wasa radically different type, a real
man, and forced him out Of the Cabi-
net, Will, he hangs on to Daniels de-
s,;ta tha uealth RI criticism uhich his