South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-24
OTHERS WOULD SELL
To BOTH THE ARMIES
State Department Hears That
LabOring Glasses Were Con-
SpiCuouS by Absence From
Japanese Demonstration.

WASHINGTON, July 24.- Pres
Wilson has determined that no fac
ito min the present Mexican revolution
shall obtain arms or ammunition
from the United States and that neu-
trality must be observed in it's strict
est sense This was the interpreta-
tiOn OF the neutrality laws decided
upon by the president after confer
ences with Sen. Bacon and Rep.
Flood. chairman Of the two congress
sional committees on foreign relations
While the Mexican rebels have been
getting no arms heretofore, Wednes-
days developments mean that the
Huerta administration will be de-
prived OF the privilege previously ac-
corded the MaderO government and
that the United States will treat all
sides alike in the present dispute.
The situation was precipDated by
the repeated complaints OF the con-
stitutiOnalists and their sympathizers
in this country that if the United
States did not virtually assist the
Huerta government by selling it mu-
nitiOns OF war a termination of hos
tilities would be possible.
Congress FavOrs Policy.
Sentiment in favor OF a new policy
grew in congress TO such extent that
Wednesday a canvass was made Of
the foreign relations committees in
both houses dealing with foreign rela-
tions. 1t was found that there would
be little objection 20 repeating the
joint resolution Of March IA. 1912,
giving the president discretionary
power to prohibit expectations of
arms or munitions Of war to countries
where domestic violence existed but
permitting him TO allow the legally
constituted government Of any coun-
try TO buy war supplies as usual.
Sen. Bacon. however, reiterated as
he left the white house Wednesday
that the Huerta administration could
not be considered a legitimate success
sOr Of the MaderO regime or a legally
constituted government.
The cOnstitutiOnalist representa-
tives here had protested to the state
department that inasmuch as the
Huerta government had not been rec
Ognized IL 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 administra-
tion officials as one way of equaliZing
conditions. il was decided that the
same purpose could be observed by
denying ammunition to all factions. 7
Would Lift Embargo.
There is nevertheless a firm feel
ing in congress in favor Of lifting the
embargo on arms and giving both
sides an equal opportunity 20 equip
themselves. This sentiment finds
favor especially among those who
believe that the Carranza rebels have
public opinion behind them in Mex
ico and if given the arms with which
20 supply their large uneQuipped
forces the revolution would end
speedily in their favor.
For the present however the ad-
ministration Will issue orders to its
agents everywhere 20 keep arms
from entering the rebellion torn cOun-
try This will interfere materially
with the plans of the Huerta forces
since orders for large supplies of arms
and ammunition are said 10 have
been placed with firms in the United
States very recently. Although the
0onstitutionalists hold no seaports Of
consequence. they have demoralized
the railroad systems and il would be
difficult for the federals 10 get muni-
tions transported into the interior af-
ter importing them from Europe
Discusses Situation.
The president Canvassed other
phases of the Mexican situation with
Messrs. Bacon and Flood who said
later that no action OF any kind or
prom lunCement OF policy was likely
until after Ambassador Wilson had
conferred with administration officials
here. Acting Secy. Roosevelt con
ferred at length on the situation, with
Rear Admiral Frank +. Beatty. com
mander OF the fourth division OF the
Atlantic fleet. who has Just returned
with his flagship. the Minnesota, from
q tour OF duty in the Gulf OF Mex /
leo Mr. Roosevelt said afterwards |
that the conference was entirely in
formal and unofficial; that he sought /
20 obtain first hand. the impressions |
which Admiral Beatty gained while I'm |
Mexico. Admiral Beatty is here on !
leave 20 visit his family.
State departments reports Wednes- !
day said that the demonstration in /
Mexico City Tuesday in compliment I
60 the new Japanese minister was at /
tended by 600 persons nearly all OF |
whom were students. The laboring /
class was said TO be conspicuous by I
its absence. IL was stated that only /
one anti-American speech was made |
and that the police were under strict I
orders Immediately 10 suppress any 4
anti-American demonstration on the /
part Of the crowd
IL is said that a movement is on foot /
IN Mexico City 10 raise funds TO de- /
fray the expense OF transporting |
destitute Americans from the capital |
10 Vera Cruz. For several weeks the |
government and tie American Red /
Cross have been bringing indigent ref |
ugees from Mexican ports 20 Cal |
weston. Tex. Already several hundred |
who were without means have been
brought 10 the Texas port