The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-22

Washington, April 19.-Gen. Vic
toriano Huerta, provisional president
OF Mexico, flatly refused tonight to
accede to unconditional demands Of
the United States that he salute the
American flag, and congress will be
asked by President Wilson tomorrow
for authority to use armed forces to
uphold the honor and dignity Of the
nation.
Negotiations with Huerta over the
demand for salute in reparation for
the arrest Of American bluejackcts at
Tampico on April 10 came to q close
tonight at 6 o'clock, tho last hour Civ
en- by President Wilson for a favorable
response from the Mexican dictator
The final word of Huerta to Charge
O'Shaughnessy was a refusal to COM
ply, unless the United States would
guarantee in writing that his salute
be returned.
President Wilson at midnight was
on his way to Washington from White
sulphur Springs, preparing to read q
message to congress in joint session as
early as it can be arranged tomorrow
In the meantime American war fleets
were moving down both coasts on
their way to Mexican waters to car
ry out the presidents plan for re-
prisal.
The crisis thus reached does not
mean that there will be formal dog
laration Of war, because the United
States could not declare war against
q government which it does not recog-
nizc. President Wilson will seek au-
thority, however, to send armed
forces into Mexico to seize first the
ports of Tampico and Vera Cruz and
the railroad trestle leading from Vera
Cruz toward Mexico City.
The president directed that a cab-
net meeting be called for 1890 O'Clock
tomorrow when final arrangements
for peaceful blockade Of Mexican
ports and other steps in the pres-
dents programme will be dcliberated.
The breach that finally has come
with Mexico will make it impossible,
it was declared tonight on high au-
thority, for the United States further
to protect foreigners in that republic,
and foreign governments have been
notified of the situation in this re-
gard.
The president, it was declared, not
only would ask congress for authority
to use the armed forces to uphold the
honor Of the nation, but also for an
appropriation. deficiency already
having been created because Of eX-
pensivc naval operations i'm anticipa-
ton of Huerta's defiance of this gov
ernmcnt.
The president probably will ask fur
thor that the senate pass the volunteer
act, which already has passed the
house. providing for pressing into
regular service the militia regiments
in various States.
In preparation for the crisis that
must be met, Senator Shivley, chair
man of the senate foreign relations
committee. and Representative Flood.
chairman of the house foreign affairs
committee. called meetings OF these
committees lor tomorrow morning
Representative Flood, who is on his
honeymoon, telephoned from New
York that he would return ilnme-
diatcly.
Throughout today :hc Mexican
crisis was the absorbing topic in Of
iicial circles. dispclling the usual
calm Of beautiful mid-spring sun
day President Wilson arrived at
White sulphur Springs. w. Va, early
in the day. after II night ride from
Washington ana there joined Mrs.
Wilson. Secretary Hryan remained
up virtually al of last night await
ms 6cliritc word from Mexico City. F
lie was al the state department un- /
Ill after midnight. and after going
homo continued tcicphonug to those
IN the CiphCr room at the state de- 4.
partmcnt until o'clock this morn
ing. Shortly after O'Clock Mr .
bryan had received two messages
from Mexico city. both from Charge
Shaughncssy The first was mere
IT, formal stating that the message
of President Wilson, giving HuCrta
been communicated 10 pOrtillo Y iU-