The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1919-12-10
WILSON'S FITNESS
PROVED TO SENATE
President Tes'ed by Foreign
Committee-False Rumors
Branded

Washington, Dec. 1.-TWO sena-
tors, delegated by the foreign rela-
tions committee to confer with
President Wilson bn 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 a conference of three-quarters
of an hour with him today ageeing
that he was in touch with recent de-
velopments and was mentally keen
enough to form judgments on the
questions confronting the nation.
In the midst of the conference,
while Senator Fall, Republican, Of
New Mexico. was outlining the evil
dence on which he is urging a break
of diplomatic relations, the presi-
dent and his callers we're informed
that William o. Jenkins, the Ameri-
can consular agent, Jailed at Pue-
bla, had been released. The advices
left some doubt as to the circum-
stances, but the development was
accepted generally as relieving some
what relations between the two
governments.
The discussion with the president
'produced no definite conclusion as
to Mexican relations, but it was re-
garded everywhere as bearing on a
subject Of endless speculation in
congressional circles--whether the
long illness of the chief executive
has to any extent rendered him
physically incapable of the duties
of the presidency.
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 be-
side him. He was described as
weak and nervous, but it was said
he jetsed about exaggerated reports
of his illness and promised within
few days to give Congress his adj
vice on what it should do about
Mexico.
Mentally Alert
'He appeared to be a 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 appear
ed to me, certainly, in as good men
tai condition as any man could be
+ after being ill for nine or ten weeks.
The other delegate of the commit
tee, Senator Hitchcock, Democrat,
| of Nebraska, said the president
seemed greatly improved since he
saw him two weeks ago.
my opinion is that he has been
very sick man, but is improving"
said Senator Hitchcock He has a
pretty good idea of the Mexican stu
alton, and although he did not give
final decision on the subject, he
indicated that too many serious
considerations were involved 10 war;
rant any hasty actions
The conference with the president
which the foreign relations commit
tee decided to request yesterday at
! ter Secretary Lansing had told it
that he had not seen his chief dur
ing the recent Mexican 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
be permitted b do 30. An appoint
ment accordingly was arranged for
2:3s in the afternoon.
A. the callers arrived they were
met " DR.. Grayson and Mrs. viii
son, wis conducted then to the
.Msk room. Asked kov loss hss
might psnass. the presidents physi-
can repked 49, he would leave Ast
entirely 10 te Judgment of the two
visitors. Mrs. Wilson remained in
the room throughout the confer
ence.
AnnouncemeW of jenkins release
ii was said. by those present, gave
the conference its only dramatic
turn. The news was telephoned 10