New-York tribune., 1912-03-15
TAFT ACTS QUICKLY
IN MEXICAN CRISIS
Proclamation Forbidding Ship.
ments of Arms from U. S.
Issued at White House.
ALL AMERICANS WARNED
Severe Penalties Will Follow
Violation of New Statute
Congress Backs Up
the President.
tFrom The Tribune Bureau. |

Washington. March 14.-Presldent
Taft, acting promptly under the author
ity conferred upon him by the passage
OF the Root resolution by Congress, is
sued proclamation tonight prohibiting
the shipment of arms from the United
States into Mexico and warning all citi-
zens that violations Of its provisions
will he vigorously prosecuted. The
proclamation enjoins on all officers Of
the United States the utmost diligence
iu preventing violations of the prohibi-
tion and in bringing offenders to trial
and punishment.
Aside from the usual preamble, the
proclamation reads as follows:
|, William Howard Taft. President OF
tho United States Of America, acting un-
der and by virtue Of the authority con-
ferred on me by tho joint resolution OF
Congress, do hereby declare and pro-
claim that have found that there es-
lists in Mexico such conditions. Of dores.
tic violence, promoted by the use Of arms
or munitions Of war procured from tho
United States, as contemp plated by tho
said joint resolution; and ! do hereby
admonish all citizens Of the United
States and every person to abstain from
every violation Of tho provisions Of the
joint resolution hereby made applicable
to Mexico, and | do hereby warn them
that all violations Of such provisions will
be vigorously prosecuted.
And do hereby enjoin upon all Off
GERS Of the United States charged with
the execution Of the laws thereof the ut
most diligence in preventing violations
Of tho said Joint resolution and this my
proclamation issued hereunder, and in
bringing to trial and punishment any
offenders against the same.
With the signing of the resolution and
issuance OF the proclamation, violation of
the neutrality laws becomes misde-
meanor, punishable by fine Of $4,000
or Imprisonment for two years, or both.
Although the proclamation specifically
names Mexico, the joint resolution Is so
worded that officials expect to make use
OF 1t In the future to prevent filibuster-
ing expeditions to any American country
where a state of>revolution exists.
Patrol Not Likely To Be Increased.
War Department officials say he res
olution gives the President power he has
long needed to prevent the sending of
arms into Mexico from Texas towns. 1t
has been said that II fear of the law does
not prove an effectual barrier to flibus-
tering more troops will be sent to the
border to see that the law is enforced.
Some estimates have put the number of
men necessary for thorough patrol as
high as 25,0O0, but for the present 1t is
not regarded as probable that the Ameri-
can force now I'm Texas will be increased.
The President prepared for immediate
action in advance of the final vote In
Congress, by working on the proclama-
ton i'm the afternoon. The passage of the
resolution was delayed somewhat by
the discovery that its phraseology was
not entirely in harmony with a decision
of the Supreme Court. To overcome this
defect Senator Root held conference
with members of the House Judiciary
Committee this morning, and as re-
suit Chairman Clayton onered the
i'm the House, which
approved the measure by
unanimous vote. 1t was then rushed
back to the Senate, which broke its rule
Of not encroaching on the time given TO
eulogies such as were being delivered
In memory of Senator Frye Before ad-
,ournment the amendments were hasti-
IL concurred in, and the resolution was
signed and sent TO the White House.
The President had expected to issue
the proclamation Tomorrow, but when
the resolution. which has the force and
effect OF a statute. arrived he immedi-
,telv set himself to the task and. after
conferences with the Attorney General
and the Acting Secretary of State,
signed the document.
The unanimity with which the reso-
ution was adopted in both houses Is
The occasion of qualification to the ad-
IL is expected that the
will not only have salu-
tary effect in Mexico. but will tend =
friendly feeling for the United
states in the Central American repub-
lies which we. somewhat inclined 70
distrust the motives OF this country,
some citizens of which have done much