HUERTA'S LIFE IN DANGER.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1948, 3 January 1914, Page 5

HUERTA'S LIFE IN DANGER.

PLOT NIPPED IN THE BUD. FUGITIVE FEDERALS. VAINLY SEEKING FLIGHT. By Telegraph—Press Association—CopyriKht; Mexico City, Januan 1 It is alleged that a plot against Pre-, sident Huerta's life was frustrated by, tho arrest of two Mexicans in a houso in Campolioro .City suburbs, "j; Details, of the plot are not available, ;'\ ' - (Rec. January 2, 11.15 p.n:.)' .- New York, /minn 2 Reports from Presidio, in Texas, state that tho northern division of the Mexican .Federal army, is penned up at Ojinaga, and the men are apparently about, to Nee across the United States' border':' Hundreds of wounded men aro walking along the banks of the river.' United States troops are heading them off, and preventing them frcm crossing, light-' ing around Ojinaga is proceeding. The rebels are gaining ground. ' f 6 The United States Government's view of the Mexican situation, and its -aversion to General Huerta, was recently explained to the "Morning Post's" special c-yrrcs--pondent by a high official at Washing' ton. "When President Wilson came into office," ho said, "and after be had teen given sufficient time to make a thorough study of the question, he decided that tue first step to the desired end was the retirement of Senor Huerta from the Presidency, so that the people of .Mexico might be -given an. opportunity for tho expression of their tree -will concerning his successor. In the opinion of the Prcsi dent this was not only necessary but was essential. No hope of peace existed so long as Senor Huerta remained in power. The Washington Government considered that Mexico was primarily an American and not a European question. Both for political and commercial reasons tho United States has the largest stake in Mexico. This did not mean that the interests of Europe were regarded as negligible or were to be ignored, as same of tho European Powers-have a stake in Jloxieo only second to the United States; but it did mean that Europe was to assume that whatever tlie United States did in Mexico would be undertaken with tho and sincere purpose of ending impossible conditions for the benefit of all the world, including Mexico itself. "It is a delicate matter to refer even incidentally to the actions of foreign Governments. It is sufficient to say that some of the European Powers did not fully agree with the announced policy of the United States, for it was known that the United States insisted upon the retire* ment of Senor Huerta, and would consent to no compromise. These Powers took the view that if Senor Huerta were permitted to remain and was accorded tlifi moral support of the United States and the other Great Powers, lie eouid moro successfully. cope with the situation than any other man then in : Mexico. I shall not discuss what is now a closed incident. It is sufficient to say that-whatever misunderstandings existed have been removed, and that the policy of the United States is now not opposed by and Euro* pean Powers having interests in Mexico. Harm is often done by tho loose use of words, especially in diplomacy, where words are used with a precise meaning. When the announcement is made that Governments givo their support /in principle' to tho policy or proposals of another Government, the public often assumes that this means full acquiescence, while as a matter of fact it is' not''so comprehensive. Tho great European Powers aro supporting our policy iu principle because, j they,.now. J fully .understand what thßt ! 'principle I ' o 'convinced that our motives are honest, and Shut we do not seek to profit by the existing situation, nor do we contempSete the annexation of territory or any political arrangement. by "which the" United States woiild obtain superior advantages iu Mexico. They are convinced that ■ our diplomacy has bsen. straightforward . and without mental reservation. All that they desiro is peace in Mexico, so that business may not be harrased and investments may be secure, and they believe that the responsibility for bringing about these conditions should rest with the. United States, Should force have to be employed—which I sincerely trust will not be the cate— they look to the United States to exert it. "it is not necessary that I should discuss why Europe look to us. Anyone familiar with American history and American policy will understand that Europe is now agreed with the United States that unless Senor Huerta is eliminated there can be no hone i'or Mexico, In principle, therefore, there is complete accord between the Governments of the United States and.those of Europe. Senor Huerta can exnect neither moral, material, nor financial support from any | European State, and that he. knows. He has been both morally and materially isolated. I cannot speculate as to the future nor hazard a prediction. I confine myself to the fncts. Thus far Europe hasj gone with us because Europe fully understood our policy it was not- only that it was right but that it was righteous.. 1 confidently expect that Europe will remain with lis, and not only that it will support us in principle, but that it will give its approval to whatever circumstances limy compel us to do, -We are not unmindful," concluded my informant, "of the great moral responsibility resting upon us. We are j.n_ a sense the mandatory of the world. We should be false to every principlo of honour if we were recreant to our trust."