The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-04-25

Huerta government and the. United
States, but Secretary Bryan said these
advances could not be described as
"overtures," and he was inclined tC
attach little importance to them. The
position of the American government
Is firm, that an offense against Its
dignity andunational honor q beer
committed, and that 1t must enforce
PREPARATION from General Huerta.
Signs Of uneasiness abroad because
the United States, though not having
declared g. blockade or a state of war
Is exercising jurisdiction at Vera Cruz
between measures short of war; and
actual war began to be apparent
Cabinet officials said no attempt would
be made to interfere with the regular
channels of commerce anywhere, car
goes being allowed to land at all
points. Munitions Of war alone will
be held at the Vera Cruz customs
house If landed. provisions and other
commercial: supplies not being detain-
ed.
But outside of the diplomatic branch
of the government. the army and navy
continued their plans for the holding
Of Vera Cruz, the are of refugees,
the provisioning of American forces,
and the maintenance of a strict
border patrol, not only to prevent
raids and uprisings, but to keep all
factions In Mexico from obtaining
munitions. and ammunition from the
United States. The war departments
continued its plan for the mobilization
Of regulars and volunteers should the
president call for them. The army
transports, bearing infantry and
artillery, sailed for Galveston to re-
inforce the naval forces at Vera
Cruz.
The sporadic outbreak at. Nuevo
Laredo, Mex, where the evacuating
federals burned the town and fired
across the American border, was not
expected, but 1t was significantly
pointed out by officials here that the
American troops returned the fire
merely in defense of the international
line and did not become the agrees
sors. Beth the military and naval
forces are operating under this prin-
ciple, defending themselves from at
tack. but making no offensive move
without instructions from Washing
ton.
Congress Still Talking.
Congress still talked about Mexico.
from many prominent persons urging
An inquiry into the Mexican situation
before wal vas declared. Representa-
tive Fitzgerald, chairman Of the house
committee on appropriations, asked
the PRESIDENT If he wanted any war
appropriation, and Mr., Wilson said.
no as yet.
Secretary Garrison Is practically
without funds for the particular move
ments Of the army now being made.
but he Is drawing On the future. 1t Is
- VtN I Ito. 30 vi o. A. -o " I@yn -
ment to incur my obligation without
authorization by congress-, but Mr..
Garrison smilingly said he had faced
iail' several times in the last few days
on this account. Leaders in congress
have assured him they would back him
up in the present emergency. The
president has hesitated to approve any
ton for the var department for fear
it might be interpreted as a forerunner
Of war.
MI. Wilson will afix his signature.
probably late today, to the volunteer
army bill, providing the machinery for
raising a volunteer army force in any
time Of emergency. The possibility
this time led to an appeal to the SUI
preme court Of the United States for
decision Of a pending case to remove
legal obstacles in the use Of the mill
tia for volunteer service. Estimates
by army officers as to the number of
men the president might call for IN
case Of war range from 10000 to 100,-
900, but not a syllable has come from
the White HouSe as to this point.
While the spirit Of optimism and
hopefulness was apparent at the
White House, the three big executive
departments continued busy with their
new burden of activity.
At the state department Secretary
Bryan talked to q procession Of call
ers. The Spanish ambassador had a
brief conference, presenting, 1t Is be-
lieved. an inquiry from his govern
ment about possible mediation. The
German ambassador, 1t was under
stood, inquired about the status Of
commercial vessels and their cargoes
and told Mr.. Bryan about the uncer-
tainty abroad whether a blockade had
been declared or a state Of war exist
ed. No Information was forthcoming
from the German ambassador or Mr..
Bryan as to the conference. The
American government holds that its
seizure Of the customs house is in &C
cord with International precedent as
an act Of reprisal. No blockade has
been declared and no interference
with commerce will be attempted.
Arms Not Put Ashore.
The German vessel which carried the
big shipment of arms which it was
feared might reach Huerta, has land
ed it's commercial cargo, but the cap
tain Of the vessel, for reasons Of his
own, has not put the ammunition
! ashore. There has been no effort on
the part Of the United States forces at
Vera Cruz to prevent it's landing. The
accepted theory here is that the am
munitiOn was not landed because of
the certainty that it would not reach
the consignee If deposited in the Vera
Cruz customs house. American naval
officers will not interfere with the in
terror shipment of the Cargoes, but will
collect the customs and hold them I'M
offenses.
Mr.. Bryan gave much attention to
arranging for the supervision OF
American %consulates in Mexico. He
Issued orders authorizing all American
~consuls both in federal and constitu-
tionalist territory to withdraw from
Mexico, but left it to their discretion
nounced the conspls of Great Britain
Chile n France would look out fol-
American interests at points where the
Brazilian government had no consul
ates. Brazil already has taken charge
Of the American embassy at Mexico
City, where the Brazilian flag has, re-
placed the Stars and Stripes over the
building.
Consul General Shanklin is still In
Mexico City, according to the latest
word at the state department, and has
been instructed to use his discretion
about leaving. 1t is believed he will
stay until the last American is cared
for, taking refuge finally, II necessary
in some of the other foreign consul,
ofac op locations o.