Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-05
LANSING SAYS AMERICAN
PLANS LONG WELl-DEFlNED
Since War Closed Washington's
Attitude Toward Southern
Neighbor More Vigorous.
DISCUSS EXECUTIVES HEALTH
view Advanced Republican Move Is
TO Ascertain Extent of His
Physical Disability.
lbs Assoclr..lrrs


WASilINGTON. Dec. 4-Stcps 10 Oh.
tain personal interview with I'rcsi-
dent Wilson before framing a senate
policy in the strained relations w!th
Mexico were decided on today b. the
Foreign Relations Committee
The decision WAS made after Sccrc-
AIRY Lansing had appeared before the
Committee and !; WAS said by mem
0ers, had disclosed that because OF the
Presidents illness he had not been
consulted by the state Department in
rs handling OF the recent developments
which have brought relations between
ne TWO governments 10 serious
At the White House tonight the Pres
dents physician. Dr. Grayson. said he
saw no reason why The committee 5
sired IL could no, see AIr Wilson TO-
morrow. 1t was Indicated that the two
publican, New Mexico. and Hitchcock.
Democrat, Nebraska, would endcavor
20 do SO.
Divide Along I'nrty Lines.
In deciding. TO take It's problem al
rect 10 the President. the committee
divided along party lines. six Rcpubl!-
cAns voting for the proposal and five
democrats opposing At. The acton
came a. Inc end OF a day Of discuss ton
OF Senator Falrs resolution which
would ASK the President 10 Withdraw
diplomats recognition or the CarraaIa
COVE Tnincnt.
1t was said by Republican members
that although the committee did not
discuss ia detail the eNtcn; 70 which
torter.d with ihc discharge OF his
duties. the point was brought out that
should tho Mexican situation continue
10 become mere critical some question
as 10 the executives physical capabii-
ity might result
In opposing the rcques; for an in
,erVtew the Democrats are understood
10 have based ;hei. argument on a
statement to the committee by Sccrc
,Hry Lansing. who was said 10 have
decla red the administration was carry
ing out a wol!-dcAned policy OF dealin =
more vigorously with Mexico. and 20
have questioned the wisdom OF any
prcclpiiate action ar this time.
Decision Made Months Ago.
The decision TO take more decisive
attitude against Invasion OF American
rights in the Southern republic. Mr..
Lansing WAS quoted ms SAYING. was
reached some months ago and now was
abOui 10 develop, whether the CarranZi
regime would accept, or disregard H..
He was said 10 have added that the
whatever length was necessary 10 en-
force that policy.
Neither the Secretary nor tho admin
istration Senators, however, were rep
resented as expressing directly any
opposition to the Fall resolution. Sew
rral attempts TO postpone action on il
Senator Hitchcock. acting Democratic
ic,der OF thc Senate. suggested . sub
stitutc b. which the Senate merely
would ndorsc the state Departments
course in thc matter and declare in
advance it's support or the President,
should ne decide 10 break of dip!o-
matte relations.
American Ambassador Heard.
During the day Henry y. Fletcher,
american ambassador TO Mexico. also
wen, before the committee. and was
said TO have covered many OF the same
points as did tho secretary. in reply
10 questions about The attitude OF the
State Department..
For some weeks nc has been station
cd here and has assisted IN the diplo-
matte correspondence now in progress
regarding the case Of William o. Jcn-
kins the American consular agent un-
der arrest at puebla.
\ reply now is awaited from Car
rama 10 the latest American note. re
aucstin= III sharp terms that Jenkins
today indicated that commission
President to settle the dispute.
II was said MIR Lansing did not in,
might take should the reply prove un-
satisfactory. hu; was very emphatic
in his declaration that tho United
states was ready To shoulder any CON
sequences which might result from
it's demands for protection OF Amcri-
can rights.
Virtually all OF Ambassador Flctch-
ers statement 10 the committee re-
lated to the Jenkins case. hut Secretary
Lansing was drawn into detailed
discussion Of the whole general sub
iect OF relations with Mexico. and told
the inside story OF the American gov
"rnmcnts attitude during recent
wears.
The great obstacle to a break with
Mexico before the United States on
tered the European war. Mr. Lansing is
-
sequences Which would have destroyed
the Presidents hope OF avoiding en-
ar ismGiTmeh, or H., IN tnn conflict overseas
saving: was based on the large mum
her or European interests in Mexico
;,nr,1 ann me S"speGted sympathy between
CarranZa ana the German government.
became More Embarrassing.
MItn nc aeciaration of war with
Germany it was said tho situation he
came even more cmba rrassinr because
it was part of Germany's war Tame
10 stir up trouble for the Tnitcd States
on ms in bnwr bcHn''nGnt nG,s1 M lansing was
misses the administration felt il should
80 long way in conserving lis rn'
sources Tor the struggle with lis Ell
\ftcr peace negotiations had been
concluded. however 1t was pointed o,t
note IVA was sent to Carranza declaring
given American rights there would
he radical change in the course Of
'hG rhis TnitaG sian States ,tr gGovernmNnt. -
harn n's deciarcd sIsp Mr ,s LANSING is said to
great dclihera ton. and constituted -
dcnnitc policy. from which there ha d
nnSnrstood nsn no dev,a,on VI Ion The secretary
circumstances he saw no real urpenn,,
for demanding. the Presidents attens.
ll Ilom 10 the Icnkins case. since in deal
continued on Second Pagc)