Madero Not To Die; Taft Gets A Pledge.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 22, 1913:
Ambassador Wilson Had Unofficially Warned Huerta Against a Resort to Barbarism.
SUCH EFFORTS SAVED DIAZ
Military Preparations Are Not Relaxed — Oscar S. Straus Proposes a Plan for Mediation.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON. Feb. 21.— Expressions of confidence by officials of the Administration that Francisco I. Madero, the deposed President of Mexico, would not be put to death, made it evident to-night that the Government had received reliable information of a decision on the part of Provisional President Huerta and his advisers to spare Madero's life. These expressions were made cautiously, but it was understood that the careful attitude shown was due to the desire to counteract any impression that the United States Government had been officially instrumental in procuring mercy for Madero.
    While the Administration would have the public believe that any action taken by the United States in Madero's behalf by Henry Lane Wilson, the American Ambassador in Mexico City, was entirely on his own responsibility, enough is known to justify the statement that Mr. Wilson undertook his mission of mercy with the sanction of the Administration authorities. and probably on their initiative.
    Beyond acknowledging that they have information of Mr. Wilson's humanitarian intercession, officials of the Administration are extremely reticent in regard to the incident. Mr. Wilson was understood here to have assumed the right to act in the matter without consulting Secretary Knox on account of the great delay incident at this time to communicating with Washington.

Cabinet Supports Wilson.
    The proposed execution of Madero was discussed at the regular meeting of the Cabinet to-day and there was general approval of the efforts to prevent it. Much indignation has been expressed privately in official circles over the manner in which Gustavo Madero was killed by his captors, and it was evident that President Taft and his advisers would resent the execution of Francisco Madero. The hands of this Government have been tied in dealing with the matter, because the disposal of the captured ex-President was a case of Mexican domestic concern. It is admitted here that this Government would be taking a course opposed to ordinary diplomatic usage to request or virtually demand that the life of Madero should be spared. But officials maintained today that for the sake of Mexico itself it would be well that precedent and etiquette should be thrown to the winds and the Government made to understand in as plain a manner as the circumstances permitted that the present course of the United States might be considerably influenced through popular indignation if what would be regarded generally in this country as an act of unjustifiable cruelty and inhumanity was perpetrated on a fallen enemy.
    It is recalled that in an unofficial manner the State Department brought to bear influences which saved Felix Diaz from death, when he was captured by Gen. Beltran at Vera Cruz last Fall. Yet the action of the Administration in these cases is the reverse of that taken forty-six years ago, when President Andrew Johnson refused to intervene to prevent the shooting of Emperor Maximilian. In that case, however, it is pointed out. Maximilian was in Mexico greatly against the will of the United States, and also he was tried by a legal tribunal in the form of a court-martial.
    "While it is hoped that the Huerta Government will be able to draw to its support all of the revolutionary leaders, the administration continues under the belief that prudence dictates the continuance of the military and naval policy of preparedness.
    It is obvious that if the Taft Administration had months instead of days to serve, President Taft would take an active part in an effort to make permanent the peace that has born established in the Mexican Capital and is spreading to some of the perturbed districts of the republic. But the President could accomplish nothing, it is believed in Administration circles, in the ten days left of his official tenure of office. For that reason it is not likely that he will attempt to act on any of several suggestions that have been made to him from persons of high standing and experience, to whose views he would be inclined to give full consideration.

Straus Proposes a Solution.
    One of these suggestions has come from Oscar S. Straus of New York, an experienced diplomat, who served with Mr. Taft in President Roosevelt's Cabinet. He wrote directly to President Taft, proposing that should this Government decide to intervene in Mexico or to adopt mediatory measures, it should ask at least two other American nations to share with it the responsibility of attempting to effect a settlement. Mr. Straus's proposal will be left to the disposition of President Wilson and his Secretary of State.
    Forty-five members of the Texas Senate and House to-day sent this telegram to Senator Morris Sheppard:

    The undersigned representatives and Senators earnestly urge you, in the name of justice and humanity, to use your influence to save the life of Madero. We believe he has been a credit to Mexico far in advance of his people. His merciful and humane government is universally recognized. Because of his leniency men have been permitted to live who now desire to destroy him. His execution would be cold-blooded murder and a blot on civilisation, which we earnestly protest against.

    Senator Sheppard said he would lay the appeal of the Texas legislators before President Taft and Secretary Knox.