The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-10
Senator From New Mexico and
Senator Hitchcock Visit
President Wilson
CONFER ON THE PRES
ENT MEXICAN SITUATION
Senator Fall Appeared Satisfied
and Thinks the President is
Strong Mentally

Washington. Dec. 5.-Two senator's.
delegated by the foreign relations
committee to confer with President
Wilson on the Mexican crisis and re-
port whether. in their opinion the pres
ident by reason of his illness was I'M
able to exercise his functions, left
the White House after conference
Of three-quarterS of an hour with
him today agreeing that he was in
touch with recent developments and
was mentally keen enough TO form
judgments on the questions confront
ing the nation.
In the midst OF the conference,
while Senator Fall, Republican,, OF
New Mexico was outlining the evi-
dence ON which he is urging break
of diplomatic relations. The president
and his callers were Informed that
William o. Jenkins, the American
consular agent, jailed in, Puebla, had
been released. The advices left some
doubt as to the circumstances, but the
development was accepted generally
as relieving somewhat relations be
tween fle two governments.
.] The discussion with the president
produced no definite conclusion as to
Mexican relations, but it was regard
ed everywhere as bearing on sub
iect of endless speculation in con-
gressional circles whether long i'll
ness. Of the chief executive has to any
extent rendered him physically inca
-pable OF the duties Of the presidency.
Propped up in bed. the president talk
ed of many features of. the Mexican
tangle. With a right hand and am
free above the bed cover. the seil2-
fors said, he. shook hands~uitha them
and s9OoK up and read papers which
were on the table beside him. he
was described as weak and nervous.
ssbilt il was said he jesteG about ex-
saggerated reports Of his illness and
promised within a few days to give
acongress his advice on what it should
do about Mxeico.
-He appeared to be a sick man.
said Senator Fall afterV.ard. but men
tally alert and perfectly able TO cope
with a question with which he might
have to deal. FIe appeared to me,
Certainly. in as good mental co"ci-
zfion as any man could Be ats: being
Ill f5r nine or ter weeks.
The other delegate Of the commit
tee, Senator Hitchcock. Democrat. OF
Nebraska said the president seemed
greatly improved since ne saw HIN
two weeks ago.
MY opinion is that he has been a
very sick man. but is improving,
said Senator Hitchcock. He has
pretty good idea of the Mexican sit
nation and although he did not give
a final decision on the subject be m
dicated that too many serious consld-
erations We're involved toIwarrant any
hasty. action
The conference with the president
which the foreign relations committee
decided to request yesterday after
Secretary Lansing had told it that
he had not seen his chief during the
recent Mexican negotiations. was
quickly arranged this morning when
. the two senator's got in touch with
the White House. They were told
that if they considered it urgent to
see Mr.. Wilson, they would be permit
TED to do so. An appointment ac-
cordingly was arranged Tor 2:30 in
the afternoon<
AS the callers arrived they were
met By Dr. Grayson, aid Mrs. wilson,
who conducted them to the SICK
room. Asked how long they might
remain, the presidents physician re-
piled that ne would leave that en-
tirely to the Judgment OF the two
visitors Mrs. Wilson remained IN the
room throughout tho conference.
Announcement Of jenkins, release.
it was said By those pfeesnt, gave
the conference its only dramatic turn
The news was telepiloncd TO the
White House after the two senators
had arrived and was communicated
to DR.. Grayson by Secretary Tumulty.
Returning to the sick room while
Senator Fail. one of the bitterest
critics of the administrations past
policy toward Mexico. was in the
midst Of his argument for diplo-
matte break. Dr. Grayson Informed
the president that Jenkins had been
set free.
All of those present expressed graf
ification at the news. and th"n Sena-
tor Fal! resumed his stat ment. III"
is CHAIRMAN OF a committee which has
investigated the whole subject OF
Mexican relations aud ne told N"
president of much of the evidence
turned up by the inquiry especially
regarding the alleged activities OF
Mexican officials in spreading So!-
shevist propaganda in this country.
Senator Fal also gave the pr"si-
dent q COPY of his resolution asking
that Diplomatic relations with Car
rama be withdrawn. This res"ll .lo@
nov is before the foreign rotations
committee which meets again Mnnd7:
to act upon IT, 1t was said the presi-
dent expressed 40 final Judgment re-
garding it bnt indicated he wonid
give his advice 10 the comnaltte or 70
corerees By The end Of the week