Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-06
MEXICAN PROBLEM
FULLY DISCUSSED
IN FRIENDLY WAY
Wilson tests With New Mexico
Senator, Who Spends Hour
BY Sick Bed Going Over the
Situation; No Decision.
tsr MORNING IouTNAl SPECIAL lsAs1o w,Rri


Washington. Dec. 1.-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
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 agreeing that he was in touch
with recent developments and was
mentally keen enough to form judg-
ments on the questions 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 diplo-
matte relations, the president and his
callers were informed that William
., Jenkins, the American consular
agent at Puebla, Mexico. jailed there.
had been released. The advices left
some doubt as to the circumstances
but the development was accepted
generally as relieving somewhat rela-
tions between the 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
Jeet of endless speculation in con-
gresstonal circles-the extent to which
the long illness of the chief executive
mas rendered him physically incapable
OF the duties of the presidency.
Used Right Hand Only.
Propped up in bed, the president
talked pf Ae ho
can tangle. With right hand and
arm free above the bed cover. the
senators said. he shook hands with
them and took W and read papers
which were on the table beside him
lie was described as weak and ner-
vous. but it was said he jested about
exaggerated reports of his Illness and
promised within a few DAYS to give
congress his advice on what it should
do about Mexico
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 appeared to
me, certainly, in as good mental con-
dition as any man could be after be-
ing i'll for nine or ten weeks"
The other delegate of the COM
f'AtNNCt AotitilOI I1ittIlGbNh. utIItuNEdt,
Nebraska, said the president seemed
greatly improved since he saw him
two weeks ago.
my opinion is that he has been a
very sick man. but is improving" said
Senator Hitchcock "He has a pretty
good idea of the Mexican situation and
although he did not give a final deci-
sion on the subject he indicated that
too many serious considerations are
involved to warrant any hasty action"
Mrs. Wilson in Room.
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 re-
cent Mexican negotiations, was quick
ly 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 to do
so. An appointment accordingly was
arranged for 2;30 In the afternoon
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 physician replied that |
he would leave that entirely to the |
judgment of the two visitors Mrs. |
Wilson remained in the room through |
out the conference.
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 senators had arrived, |
and was communicated to DR.. Grayson !
by Secretary Tumulty. Returning to /,
the sick room while Senator Fall, one |
of the bitterest critics of the adminis-
tration's past policy toward Mexico, !
was in the midst of his argument for
a diplomatic break, DR.. Grayson in
formed the president that Jenkins had
been set free.
Mexicans Spread Bolshevism.
All of those present expressed graf
itude at the news, and then Senator ,
Fall resumed his statement. He is
chairman of a subcommittee 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 BoIshevist
propaganda in this country.
Senator Fall also gave the president |
a, copy of his resolution asking that