Evening star., 1916-06-19
Two U. S. Naval Officers Ar
rested at MazatIan After
Exchange of Shots.
WASHINGTON ACTIVITIES
DEAL WITH THE CRISIS
President Wilson's Note Refusing to
Withdraw Troops Goes to Car
rama Today.

Robert Lansing, Secretary OF
State, allowed it to become
known today, in regard to the
general situation as to Mexican
affairs, that dispatches to the de-
partment show that there is in
creasing excitement below the
border and irritation against
Americans.
On the heels of these dispatches came
reports from Mexican sources in which
it is admitted that another international
incident has occurred. in which there
was an exchange Of shots at Mazatlan
and the arrest by Mexicans Of two
American naval officers. who were held
until explanations has been made. This
followed an attempt to land marines
from a warship. and the Mexican mill
tary commander at Mazatlan. acting
upon instructions from the Carranza
foreign off1ce, is urging that Americans
be kept aboard their ships.
Eyes Of q. s. Focused.
This and other developments all
over the country. as well as through
out Washington. the capital, serve to
focus the eyes OF the United States
upon what is going on along and be-
low the border. Various activities
came into play today In connection
with the general situation following
the call to the colors last night of
more than 100000 members of tho Ma
tional Guard through. ut the country
to assist in guarding the border, and
the talk of intervention in Mexico.
heard for so long under the surface.
tame to the top today with a bang.
Many senators and representatives, re-
publicans as well as democrats, ex-
pressed themselves today in interviews
printed elsewhere in The Star. as ap-
believing Intervention necessary.
A resolution making effective the
militia draft provision OF the new army
organization bill. under which Ma
the federal oath would be available for
service anywhere imm ediately. has Been
prepared by War De. artment officials
and Chairman Hay Of the House mill,
tary committee. 1t will be introduced
Congress granted the War Depart
ment liberal emergency funds because
Of the border situation some time ago.
and there were Indications today that
arrangements will at once be made to
defray the expenses OF the National
Guard and maintaining IT. under emer-
gency appropriations.
Intervene, Says Chamberlain.
Chairmen Chamberlain and Hay of
the Senate and House military COM
mittee were summoned to the White
House early in the day for a confer
ence, and Senator Chamberlain said:
II have felt all along that we would
be forced to intervene. The Mexican
people, so largely ignorant, have a
win be necessary for US to go in and
clean up the situation"
On the other hand, government Off
cials carefully pointed out today that
is unchanged. although In calling out
the National Guard he has taken the
last possible step short of intervention.
American troops. it is declared at the
State pepartmsntG are Re. to 6ords, be sm END
for that purpose only. This. it is
pointed out, has been affirmed over and
over again by President Wilson, and
has only just been afnrmed by the
democratic platform upon which Presi-
dent Wilson will seek reelection. Stress
is laid upon the fact that If hostiities
between the two countries follow 1t
will be as result only OF acts OF Car
ranzs or other Mexican officials.
Reply to Carranza Today.
today with the mobilization Of the Ma
tional Guard. President Wilson directed
that his reply to Gen. Carranza's note
demanding recall Of American troops
from Mexico go Forward Immediately.
In refusing to wi, draw the troops. in
this note. the Unnsi States reafflrms
the friendly Intentions of the United
states toward the de facto government
in Mexico. and sharply rebukes Gen.
Carranza for unwarranted charges and
insinuatfons of bad faith contained in
his Communication.
President Wilson'S firm resolve to
keep the armed forces of the United
States in Mexico until such time as the
Mexican de facto government policies
the border region so thoroughly that
bandit raids into American territory
are improbable is understood to be
clearly stated in the note. Whether
the suggestion Of the democratic plat
form plank that Intervention might
be undertaken as last resort also
was communicated to Gen. Carranza is
not known.
Secretary Lansing announced that the
note would be forwarded today. There
were indications that the reply might
70 by cable or telegraph to Special
Agent Rodgers Of the State Department.
who Is stationed In Mexico City. for
delivery to Gen. Carranza. It is under
stood to be 5000 or 10000 words in length
and Secretary Lansing indicated that
its text might be made public tonight.
The information as to the arrest Of