The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1913-07-25
TO PRESERVE NEUTRALITY
NO ARMS TO BE SENT TO MExICo

Decision Means That Huerta VIII be
Deprived of Privilege Prev
iouSly Accorded Madero.
Washington, July 24-Prcsident
Wilson has determined that no fac
ton in the present Mexican revolu-
tion shall obtain arms or ammuni-
tion from the United States, and that
neutrality must be observed in ito
strictest sense. This was the inter
pretation of the neutrality laws de-
clded upon by the President yester-
day after conferences with Senator
Bacon and Representative Flood,
chairmen of the two congressional
committees on foreign relations.
While the Mexican rebels have
been getting no arms heretofore,
yesterdays developments mean that
the Huerta administration will be
deprived of the privilege previously
accorded the Madero government,
and that the United States will treat
all sides alike in the present dispute.
The situation precipitated by the
repeated complaints of Constitution
alists and their sympathizers in this
country that if the United States did
not virtually assist the Huerta gov
ernment by selling it munitions OF
war, a determination of hostilities
would be possible.
| FAVOR NEW POLICY.
Sentiment in favor of a new pol
icy grew in Congress to such an ex-
tent that a'canviss was made of the
committees in both houses dealing
with foreign relations. 1t was found
there would he little objection to re-
pealng the Joint resolution of March
IA. 1912, which gives the President
discretionary power to prohibit ex-
portations OF arms or munitions OF
war to countries where domestic
violence existed. but permits him to
allow the legally constituted govern
ment Of any country to buy war sup
plies as usual. Senator Bacon. how
ever. reiterated as he left the White
House. that the Huerta administra-
ton could not he considered as the
legitimate successor of the Madero
regime or a legally constituted gov
eminent.
The COnstitutionalist representa-
tives here had protested to the state
department that, inasmuch as the
Huerta government had not been
recognized. it ought not to obtain
arms. This construction of the case
found favor in official circles and
while the repeal of the resolution Of
March IA. 1912, was considered by
the administration officials as one
way Of equalizing conditions, it was
decided that the same purpose could
be observed iE denying ammunition
to all factions
WOULD LIFT EMBARGO.
There. nevertheless, is a firm
feeling in Congress in favor of lift
ing the embargo on arms and giving
both sides an equal opportunity to
equip themselves. This sentiment
finds favor especially among those
who believe that the Carranza rebels
have public opinion behind them in
Mexico, and if given the arms with
which to supply their large unequip-
ped forces, the revolution would end
speedily in their favor
For the present, however the ad-
ministration will issue orders to it's
agents everywhere to keep arms
from entering the rebellion-torn
country. This will interfere mater
tally with the plans Of the Huerta
forces, since orders for large sup
plies of arms and ammunition are
said TO have been placed recently
with firms in the United States.
Although the Constitutionalists
hold no seaport of consequence they
have demOraliZed the railroad sys-
TENS and il would be difficult for the
federals to get munitions transport
ed into the interior after importing
them from Europe.
OTHER PHASES CANVASSED.
The President canvassed other
phases of the Mexican situation with
Messrs. Bacon and Flood, who said
later that no action of any kind or
pronounCement of policy was likely
until after Ambassador Wilson had
conferred with administration Off
cials here.
Acting Secretary Roosevelt con-
ferred yesterday afternoon with
Rear Admiral Frank r. Beatyt. COM
mander Of the fourth division of the
Atlantic fleet, who has just returned
with his flagship, the Minnesota,
from tour Of duty in the Gulf Mr..
Roosevelt said afterwards that the
conference was entirely unofficial
and informal: that he sought to OBJ
tain first-hand. the impression which
Admiral Beatty gained while in
Mexico. Admiral Beatty is here on
leave to visit his family.
State department reports yester-
day said that the demonstration in
Mexico City Tuesday in compliment
to the new Japanese minister, was
attended by about 1000 persons, al
most all of whom were students.
Few Of the laboring class were pres
ent. 1t was stated that no anti
American speech was made and that