Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-12-11

Washington, Dec. 1.-Two senators,
delegated by the foreign relations com
mittee to confer with President Wilson
on the Mexican crisis and report wheth-
err in their opinion the President by rea-
son of his illness was unable to exer-
else his functions, left the White House
after n 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
judgments on the questions confront
ing the nation.
In the midst of the conference, while
Senator Fall, republican. Of 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. Jenkins,
the American consular agent Jailed at
Puebla had been released. The advces
eft some doubt as to the circumstances
but the development was accepted gen.
orally as relieving somewhat relations
between the two governments.
The discussion with the President pro-
duced no definite conclusion as to Mex
lean relations, but it was regarded every
where as bearing on a subject OF end
less speculation in Congressional circles
the chief executive has rendered him
physically Incapable of performing the
duties Of the presidency.
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 described as weak and ner-
vous. but it was said he TESTED about
exaggerated reports Of his illness and
promised within few days to give Con-
gress his advice on what it should dc
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 tc
deal. He appeared to me, certainly. in as
good mental condition as any man could
he after being i'll for nine or ten weeks
The other delegates OF the committee
Senator Hitchcock, democrat of Nebraska
said the President seemed greatly I'm
proved since he saw him two weeks aSo
My opinion is that he has been a very
sick man, but Is improving" said Sena-
tor Hitchcock. He has a pretty good
idea of the Mexican situation, and al
though he did not give final decision on
the subject he indicated that too many
serious considerations were involved tc
warrant any hasty action"
The conference with the President
which the foreign relations committee
decided to request yesterday after Secre-
tary Lansing had told 1t that he had not
seen his chief during the recent Mexican
negotiations was quickly arranged this
touch with the White House. They were
told that If they considered It urgent tc
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 Presi
dents physician replied that he woulc
leave that entirely to the judgment OF
the two visitors. Mrs. Wilson remained
in the room throughout the conference.
Announcement Of Jenkins release. il
was said by those present, gave the con
ference its only dramatic turn. The news
was telephoned to the White House after
the two senators had arrived and was
communicated to Dr. Grayson by Score
tary Tumulty. Returning to the sick room
while Senator Fall, one of the bitteres
critics of the administrators past policy
toward Mexico, was in the midst of his
argument for diplomatic break, DIR
trayson informed the President tina
Jenkins had been set free.
All of those present expressed graft
tude at the news, and then Senator Fal
resumed his statement. He Is chairman
Of a subcommittee which has investi.
gated the whole subject Of Mexican re-
| lations aEd he told the President OF
much of the alleged activities of Mexican
officials in spreading Bolshevist propa
ganda in this country.
Senator Fall also gave the President
a copy of his resolution asking that d.
plomatic recognition of Carranza be
Withdrawn. This resolution now is be,
fore the foreign relations com
mittee, which meets again Monday
to act upon 1t. 1t was said the President
| expressed no final judgement regarding
1t but indicated he would give his advice
end of the week,
When he returned to the capitol SEN
ator Fall was surrounded by his repub'
lican colleagues who sought news OF the
conference. He also saw Harry +. Flet'
cher. American ambassador to Mexico
and sent to the White House an abstract
| of the results Of the sub committee
| investigation, requested by the President