The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-07-24
Holds That Huerta Government
as Illegal as Other Forces.
PROTECTION WITHOUT ARMS?
Rebel Commander Asks Wash
ingtOn How Such Is Possible.
Sentiment in Congress FavOrs
Selling Arms to Both.

west Mexico, appeared to washington
asserting that the force under MS
command could not protect Amerl-
cans unless afforded the means. In
a message to Manuel Pedro Romero
constitutionalist representative, the
insurgent governor said:
IT pray you to call the attention of
President Wilson and congress to the
fact that unless the constitutionalists
are allowed to bring in ammunition
and arms they will be unable to main
tain order and protect the lives anu
property of foreigners.
I'VE control all Sonora save quay
mas. Foreigners are receiving cour-
teous treatment in every part OF the
state except in that city, where they
are being maItreated and imprisoned
I'VE need ammunition but are I'M
able to procure it because OF the Wig
lance of the American authorities
Washington, July 24.-President
Wilson is determined that no faction
in the present Mexican revolution
shall obtain arms or ammunition from
the United States, and that neutral
lty must be observed in its strictest
sense. This was his Interpretation OF
the neutrality laws decided upon to-
day after a conference with Senator
Bacon and Representative FLOOR,
chairmen of the two congressional
committees on foreign relations
While the Mexican rebels have been
getting no arms heretofore, To-Day
developments mean that the Huerta
administration will be deprived of the
privilege given the Madero govern
ment and the United states Will treat
all sides alike in the present dispute.
The situation was precipitated by
the complaints of the constitutionaIlstS
and their sympathizers in this coun-
try and if the United States did not
virtually assist the Huerta govern
ment by selling it munitions of war,
a. termination of hostilities would be
possible Sentiment in favor of a new
policy grew in congress to such an
extent that today canvass was made
Of the foreign relations committees In
both houses dealing with foreign re-
iations.
Huerta Government Not Legal.
1t was found that there would be
little objection to repeating the joint
resolution of March IA, 1872, giving
the president discretionary power to
prohibit expectation of arms or mu-
nitions of war to countries where do
nestle violence existed, but permit
ting him to allow the legally consti-
tuted government of any country to
buy war supplies as usual. Senator
Bacon. however, reiterated as he left
the White House today that the
Huerta administration could not be
considered a legitimate successor of
the Madero regime or a legally constl-
tuted government.
The constitutionalist representatives
here had protested to the state de-
partment that inasmuch as the
Huerta government had not been rec
ognized 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 administra-
ton officials as one way OF equallz-
ing conditions it was decided that the
same purpose could be observed by
denying ammunition to all factions.
May Lift Embargo to Both.
There is, nevertheless, firm feel
ing in congress in favor of lifting the
embargo on arms and giving both
sides an equal opportunity to equip
themselves. This sentiment gains
favor, especially among those who be-
lieve that the CaIranza rebels have
public opinion behind them in Mexico
and If given the arms with which to
supply their large uneQuipped forces
the revolution would end speedily in
their favor.
For the present, however, the adj
ministration will issue orders to its
agents everywhere to keep arms from
entering the rebellion-torn country.
This will interfere materially with the
PLANS of the Huerta forces, since or
ders for large supplies of arms and
ammunition are said to have been
placed with firms in the United States
very recently.
Although the constitutionalists hold
no seaports of consequence, they have
demoralized the railroad systems and
It will be difficult for the federals to
get munitions transported into the
interior after importing them from
Europe.
Wait on Ambassador.
The president examined 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 officials
here
Acting Secretary Roosevelt con-
ferred at length OH the situation with
Rear Admiral Frank E. Beatty, COM
mander of the Fourth division of the
Atlantic fleet. who had just returned
with his flagship, the Minnesota.
from a tour of duty in the Gulf of
Mexico. Roosevelt said afterwards
that the conference was entirely I'M
official and informal and that he
sought to obtain the impressions
which Admiral Beatty gained while in
Mexico. Admiral Beatty is here on
leave TO visit his family. -1t
No Anti-American Demonstrations.
State department reports said that
the demonstration in Mexico City yes
terday in compliment to the new Jap
anese minister was attended by about
1000 persons, nearly all of whom were
students. The laboring class was said
to be conspicuous by its absence. 1t
was stated that only one anti-Ameri-
can speech was made, and that the
police were under strict orders imme
diately to suppress any anti-American
demonstration on the part of the
crowd.
1t was said that a movement is on
foot in Mexico City to raise funds to
defray the expense of transporting
destitute Americans from the capital