Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-12-06
DISCUSS MEXICO
SITUATION WITH
THE PRESIDENT.
Wilson Will Give Decision
on Problem After Further
Consideration Senators
Find Him Mentally Cap
able of Meeting Task
CRepublican A. p. Leased Wlrel


WASHINGTON, Dec. 5.-Two sena-
tors, delegated by the foreign relations
committee to confer with President
Wilson on the Mexican crisis and re-
port whether in their opinion the presi-
dent by reason of his illness was un-
able to exercise his functions, left the
White House after conference of
three-quarters of an hour with him to-
day agreeing that he was in touch with
recent developments and was mentally
keen enough TO form judgment on the.
question concerning the nation.
In the midst of the conference, while
Senator Fall, republican, New Mexico,
was outlining the evidence on which
he is urging a break of diplomatic re-
lations, the president and his callers
were informed that William o. Jen-
kins, the American consular agent at
Pueblo, Mexico, jailed there, had been
released. The advice left some doubt
as to the circumstances but the de-
velopment was accepted generally as
relieving somewhat relations between
the two governments.
The discussion with the president
produced no definite conclusion as to-
Mexican relations. but it was regarded
everywhere as bearing on a subject
of endless speculation in congressional
clrcles-t ehextent to which the long
illness of the chief executive has rem
dered him physically incapable of the
duties of the presidency.
Propped Up In Bed
Propped up in bed, the president
talked of many features of the Mexican
tangle. With a 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. He was de-
scrlbed as weak and nervous, but it
was said, he jested about exaggerated
reports of his illness, and promised
within few days to give congress his
advice on what it should do about
Mexico.
He appeared to be sick man"
SAID Senator Fall afterward. "but
mentally alert and perfectly able TO
cope with any question with which he
might have to deal. He appeared to
me, certainly, in as good mental con.
dltlon as any man could be after beinx
Ill for nine or ten weeks.
The other delegate of the committee
Senator Hitchcock. democrat, Nebras
ka' said the president seemed greatly
improved.
MY opinion is that he has been
very SICK man, but is improving" said
senator Hitchcock. He has q prettv
good idea of the Mexican situation and
aitnough he did not give a final de-
cIslon on the subject he indicated that
too many serious considerations are
NV iSeo ~ warrant any haSty action
Conference Easily Arranged
The conference with the president
which the foreign relations committee
decided to request yesterday after Sec
retary Lansing had said he had not
seen his chief during the recent Mexi-
can negotiations, was quickly arranged
! this morning, when the two senators
got into touch with the White House
| They were told that if they considered
it urgent to see Mr.. Wilson, they would
ACCORDINGLY was arranged for 2:30
AS the callers arrived, they were met
by DR.. Grayson and Mrs. Wilson, who
conducted them to the sick room.
Asked how long they might remain,
the presidents physicion replied he
would leave that entirely to the judg-
ment of the two visitors. Mrs. Wilson
remained in the room throughout the
| conference.
Announcement of Jenkins release. it
was said by those present, gave the
conference it's only dramatic turn. The
news was telephoned to the White
House after the senators had arrived,
and was communicated to DIR. Gray
son by Secretary Tunulty. Returning
to the sick room while Senator Fall.
one of the bitterest critics of the ad- :
ministration's past policy toward Mex
leo, was in the midst of his argument
for a diplomatic break, Dr. Graysor in
formed the president that Jenkins had
been set free.
Pleased at Jenkins News
All of those present expressed graft
tude at the news, and then Senator
Fall resumed his statement. He is
chairman of a SUBJ committee which
has Investigated the whole subject OF
Mexican relations and he told the
president of much of the evidence
turned up by the inquiry, especially re-
garding the alleged activities of Mex
lean officials in spreading bolshevisI
propaganda in this country.
Senator Fall also gave the president
a copy of his resolution asking thai
diplomatic recognition of Carranza bt
withdrawn. This resolution now is be.
fore the foreign relations committee
which meets again Monday to act upor
it. 1t was said the president expressed
no final judgment regarding it bu
indicated he would give his advice Il
the committee or to congress by the
end of the week.
When he returned to the capitol
Senator Fall was surrounded by hi!