New Britain herald., 1914-04-20
First Step of Policy
 Outlined By Wilson

| first step in his policy of reprisal l would be to seize the ports of Tam pico and Vera Cruz, and that what happened after that would depend upon Huerta. 1t was understood, too, that seizure of the railway trestle ] connecting Vera Cruz, the principal Mexican port on the Atlantic side, with Mexico City, as well as "pa- 1 cific blockade" of all ports controlled by the Huerta forces on both coasts. was contemplated. The fleets on their way to Mexican waters are strong enough to carry out this pro- gram and convey enough men avail able for shore expeditions to execute any operations in the interior that
 may be necessary.
 What part Is to be played by the army will depend largely upon the attitude of the constitutionalists who
 control the northern part of Mexico.
 Relations between Carranza and Villa-
 the constitutionalist leaders. and the Washington government have been
 described by high officials here in the
 past few days as entirely satisfac-
 tory. Consequently if the constitu-
 tionalists continue their campaign against the Huerta forces in the in terior and make no attempt to inter fere with the purposes of the United
 States there may be little for the American army to do.
 Washington was fairly afiame to- day with enthusiasm over the presi- dents determination to act. Army and navy officers say, however, the opei . ations in Mexico will not be war; that the Huerta regime is in no posi- tion to offer real resistance to first class power. There will be no for mai declaration of war In any event because the United States could not declare war against a government the existence of which it has not rec ognized.
 Information as to the attitude of foreign nations generally toward the change in American policy was awaited with interest. All the facts as they developed had been present ed to the members of the diplomatic corps. who in turn had reported to their respective governments. To- day the news of Huefta's refusal to salute the flag. with the intentions of the United States. was conveyed to the foreign representatives.
 The state department through MT. O'Shaughnessy and by direct messages from MT. Bryan to American consuls throughout the Mexican republic has warned all Americans to leave. Such protection as the United States has undertaken to extend to foreigners will not be effected, according to tho present purpose. The diplomatic body in Washington has learned that the United States will continue to look after foreigners in northern Mexico in the constitutionalist zone, where foreign governments have no consular representative. In the fed eral territory their governments will continue to look after their own sub- jects.
 Secretary Garrison conferred with General Wood, General Wotherspoon, who will become chief of staff next Wednesday; Brigadier- Crow der, judge advocate general and other officials of the department. It was understood they were preparing recommendations to congress looking to the immediate passage of legisla- tion providing for a large volunteer army.
 The basis of the recommendations will be in the Hay bill. already passed by the house, which will permit the mastering into the United States army of militia organizations with their officers providing seventy-fve per cent. of the men are willing to do so.
 Senator Shively called a meeting of the foreign relations committee after the cabinet had met. .##,