Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-12-06
President Fully Capable Of
Handling Carranza, Say Fall
and Hitchcock, After Hours
Interview With Sick Man.
IS PROPPED In BED AND
COVERED UP TO CHIN
Looks Very III, But Is Men
tally A|ert-Receives News
Of Jenkins ReIease-May
Express Opinion Monday.

Washington, Dec. 5.-Two SEN
ators, delegated by the foreign re-
lations committee to confer with
President Wilson on the Mexican
crisis and report whether in their
opinion the president by reason of
his illness was unable to exercise
his functions, left the White House
after conference of quarters
Of an hour with him today agreeing
that he was in touch with recent
developments and was mentally keen
enough to form judgements on the
questions confronting the nation.
Ii the midst of the conference,
while Senator Fall, republican, New
Mexico, was outlining the evidence
on which he is urging a break of
diplomatic relations, the president
and his callers were informed that
William 0. Jenkins, the American
consular agent at Puebla, Mexico,
jailed there, had been released.
+The advices left no doubt
leased. The advices left some doubt
as to the circumstances, but -&he
development was accepted generally
as relieving somewhat, relations b.
tween the two governments.
Is. Recovering at Last.
The discussion with the president
produced no definite conclusion as
to Mexican relations, but it was
regarded everywhere..as bearing on
subject of endless speculation in
congressional circles-the extent to
which the long illness of the chief
executive has rendered him physical
ly incapable of the duties of presi-
dency.
Propped up in bed, the president
talked of many features of the Mex
lean tangle. With right hand and
arm free above the bed cover. the
senators said, he shook hands with :
them and took up and read papers
which were on the table beside him.
tie was described as weak and
nervous, but it was said he tested
about exaggerated reports of his
Illness. and promised within a few
days to give congress his advice on
what IT should do about Mexico.
Sick but Mentally ALERT
"Hs. appeared to be sick man /"
said Senator Fall afterward, "but
mentally alert and perfectly able
to cope with any question with
which ne might have to deal He
appeared to me, certainly, in as good
mental condition as any man couId
be- after being i'll for nine or 10
weeks" Vi ~
he other delegate of the com
mlttee, Senator Hitchcock. demo
crat, Nebraska, said the pres;dent
seemed greatly improved since he
saw him two weeks ago. az
My opinion is that he has been
very SICK man, but is improying,'
saia Senator Hitchcock. "He has
pretty good idea of the Mexican Sit
cation and although he did not piye
nnai decision on the subject he
indicated that too many serious con-
siderations were involved to warran+
any hasty action" W '"'
lhe conference with the nr.s;
dent, which the foreign relations
committee decided to reouest xes
terday, after Secretary Lansing had
told 1T that he had not seen his chief
curing the recent Mexican ineeotia-
tions, was. quickly arranged this
morning when the two senator's pot
INTO touch with the White House
hey were told that if they consid-
cred 1T urgent to see Mr.. Wilson
they would be permitted to do 50
An appointment accordingly was ar
ranged for 2:30 in the afternoon.
Mrs. Wilson Present.
As the callers arrived they were
met by DIR. GraySon and Mrs VII
son, who conducted them to ,b.
slckroom. Asked how long thew
might remain, the presidents nbvs..
cian replied that he would leave
that entirely to the judgment of ,he
two visitors. Mrs. Wilson remained
III the room throughout the confer
ence.
Announcement of jenkins release
IT was said by those present gave
the conference its only dramatic
turn; The news was telephoned to
the White House after the senator's
had arrived, and was communicated
to DR.. Grayson by Secretary Tu-
multy. Returning to the sickroom
while Senator Fall, ene of the two
1ltterest critics of the administra-
tons, past policy toward Mexico.
was in the midst OF his argument
or diplomatic break, DR.. Gravson
informed the president that Jenkins
lad been set free.
Mexican Bolshevism.
All OF those present expressed
gratitude with the news. and then
senator Fall resumed his statement.
He is chairman OF subcommittee
which has investigated the whole
ubject of Mexican relations, and he
old the president of much OF the
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