Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-04
SENATORS invite
Mr.. LANSING TO
DISCUSS MEXICO
Foreign Relations Committee
Asks Secretary to Appear
This Afternoon.
FALL MEASURE DELAYED
PENDING CONFERENCE
Mr.. Hitchcock Presents Substitute
for. Resolutions Breaking
Diplomatic Relations.

AVA AsSoSAuAAShS AAS~A>o
Diplomatic Relations.
Secretary Lansing of the State De-
partment TO-DAY was invited by the
foreign relations committee to appear
before it this afternoon to discuss the
Mexican situation.
He will be asked also whether Presi-
dent Wilson has been fully informed
as to the recent occurrences in Mexico
and the demands made upon it by the
United States.
After being in session for two hours,
during which the Fall resolution pro-
viding for severance of diplomatic re-
lations between the United States and
Mexico was under consideration, the
foreign relations committee adjourn
ed until $50 to have Mr.. Lansing
advise the committee in regard to all
the circumstances.
The committee. it was said. felt
there was no use in having Congress
ing off diplomatic relations with Mex
leo if the President is not fully cog
infant of the situation. There was a
heated colloqny between senator ran
of New Mexico and Senator Hitchcock
of Nebraska. the former declaring
that the President had not been IN
formed in regard to the Mexican
situation and the latter fns ms Essen sl
holding the Fall resolution for further
consideration.
senator Hitchcock introduced sub
stitute resolution in the commlftee
which would assure the President OF the
support- of Congress should he break
diplomatic relations with Mexico
L.. s. Envoy Before Committee.
Henry P. Fletcher. American ambas-i
sador to Mexico, was before the conn
mittee today to give his views on tne
,e-,f, ion discussion
said to have revealed considerable DIFF
ference of opinion among commlttee
members regarding the best method OF
protecting American interests in the
southern republic.
Ambassador Fletcher, it was under
stood. did not directly indorse either
.he Fail resolution or the Hltchcock
substitute. He answered many ques-
tions, about the State Departments
course in recent negotiations with
Mexico. in which he has had an active
part. :,
Virtually all of these questions had
to do with the case of William u.
Jenkins, the American consular
agent under arrest: mt Pueblo he
went into this subject fully. and ~
was said that many of the questions
to be asked Secretary Lansing would
be of similar nature.
Mr.. Fletcher shows Methods.
Ambassador Fletcher gave the com :
mittee a graphic account of the
method used by the Mexican authori-
ties to secure evidence. which they
declare .refutes Jenkins statement
that he was not seen at certain
time and place in the company of
the bandits prior to his kidnapping.
Mr.. Fletcher said the Mexicans
gathered ten poems in that neighbor-
hood and said to them: Jenkins was
here at that time, wasn't he?
The peon said he was not. One Of
the poems was taken outside the
building and minute later those re-
manning heard rife shot.
The nine others were asked the
same question. and again they gave a
negative answer.
Another peon was taken outside
and another shot was heard.
The remaining eight again were
asked the question, but their an
swer was unchanged. Another peon
was taken from the room and third
shot was heard.
When the question was repeated to
the seven remaining they admitted
Jenkins was at the place at the time
indicated.
All Wait for Facts.
When the committee recessed sena-
tors said the whole situation was in
an uncertain state. Senator Hitch
leader, said the administration sena-
tors had not taken any definite stand
against the resolution. but wanted
The committee to be fully advised be-
fore a course was decided upon.
Republican members of the COM
rnittee were understood to have ia
vored the resolution, but they joined
with the democrats in preparing to
Lansing before reporting to the Sem
ate. -
Resolution In Committee.
Interest in the Mexican situation
soday centered about the Senate for
,,ign relations committee, which is
dolding special meeting to take ac-
ton soon on the joint resolution, in
Jroduced yesterday by Senator Fab.
republican, of New Mexico, requesting
President Wilson to sever diplomatic
relations with the neighboring repub-
lie.
Senator Falls chief point is that
Mexico, through its accredited repre-
sentatiyes, is spreading anarchistic
propaganda in this country, in, addi-
ton to restraining William .. Jen-
kins, American consular agent now in
q Mexican penitentiary, without war
rant The senator said that the evil
dence against the Carranza govern
ment, if made public, would "astound
The world"
The state Department has received
notice of the receipt by CarranZa of
the latest note in the jenkins case,
and is awaiting reply with some de-
gree of impatience.
In the meantime the War Department
announces that the first Army airSliip
-tation on the border will be organ
ized Immediately at I'll Paso. Tex. by
the Sth Balloon Company, and Secre-
tary Daniels said today that despite
the rapid rehabilitation of the Navy
personnel since the armistice it is
ready TO meet any emergency. The
Secretary pointed out that the en-
listed personnel of the Navy was now
100000, or nearly double the strength
before the war.
A resolution authorizing the Presi-
dent to use the Army and Navy. if
necessary, in enforcing payment. by
Mexico of claims for damages suffered
J in the loss of American lives and
property was introduced today by
senator King, democrat. Utah, and re-
ferred to the foreign relations COM
mittee.
OFFERS AMENDMENT TO
MAID DIZZY lMcIlPAMrE Att