The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-23
Declares tho United States WIN
Enforce Rsparation
Whenever and wherever Il
Feels Called Upon to DO So.
WAR PREPARATIONS 50 on
Situation On Mexican Border
Causes Much Concern.
Militia win Be Needed for Any
Extensive Movement.
|OPPOSInG FACTIONS UNITE
Federals and Rebels Get To-
gether to Defend TamplcO.
Secretary Bryan Still Appears
Hopeful Of Peace.
Situation On Mexican Border
Causes Much Concern.
Militia Win Be Needed for Any
Extensive Movement.
OPPOSING FACTIONS UNITE
FedeFa1s and Rebels Get To-
gether to Defend Tanplco.
Secretary Bryan Stin Appears
Hopeful Of Peace.

Washington, April 33-After issuing
L. statement declaring tho intention Of
the United States to enforce repara-
ton whenever and wherever the dig
nifty Of the United States IL houted."
President Wilson bent all the energies
cf the administration today to planning
for operations in Mexico The presi-
dents statement. issued after q cab
met conference. in reply to the mes
sage received from the CONSTITUTIONAL
list chief, Carranza, declared that I'VE
are now dealing only with those whom
Huerta commands and those who come
to his support
From dawn today. the wearied chiefs
Of the war and navy departments. Sec
retary OF State Bryan and the otner
cabinet officers. hurried from confer
ence to conference.
At the White House the cabinet Of
ficials with Counselor Robert Lansing.
OF the state department, aided the
president in formulating his reply to
Carranxa- At tho war department
Secretary Garrison. General Wother-
spoon. Chief Of staf Major General
Wood, who has been designated to
command the army in its Mexican OPP
erati0ns, and General e. w. Weaver
chief of the coast artillery, held sew
eral conferences discuaain8 operations.
Embargo Ra1nstAted.
Orders fronf the w4r department.
were directed to Fort Sam Houston to
stop all importationS OF arms directed
to the Huerta forces across the border
in Piedras Negras. This led to q report
that the embargo on arms had been re-
established at the northern border
against both federalists and constitu-
tionalists. Some officials said It was
very probable that no arms would BE-
allowed to cross the border. although
the department hesitates to issue .
blanket order until the exact attitude
Of the constitutionalists toward the
United States can be demonstrated.
The situation on the Mexican bor-
| der was the subject OF all the days
conferences. Any contemplated move-
ment Of the army to Vera Crus by
transport, it was reported, would be
held up, az a result of the Carranxa
message Of last night until border con-
| ditions would permit withdrawal OF
troops there.
Suggestions were m4de that before
any extensive army movement could
be ordered, the militia would have to
be called out by congressional action
ton Of a large army. Word was re-
| ceived at the navy department that
the destroyer floti1la from Vera Cruz
had reached TampicO and another re-
Tampico had formed an alliance with
| the Huerta forces In the city. to with
stand any attack by tho American
| forces.
The Next Move.
i The department staff conferred ~
l to conditions at Vera Cruz and 1t was
understood that the next move by the
forces under Admiral Badger. would
be the seizure Of the railroad from
Vera Cruz to Mexico City. This road.
controlled by two bridges which II de-
stroyed would be difficult to replace,
would be necessary II Vera Cruz is to
be made the base Of further aggressive
operations
The president in his statement OF
comment on Carranza's note which
had asked this government to with
draw from Vera Cruz and recognise
the constitutionalists hat1y announced
that the course OF the Washington
government would be continued in the
i direction Of General Huerta and his
adherents but the United States had
no quarrel with the Mexican people
as q whole. As yet the Washington
government does not expect open hos
tilities from the constituti0nalists hop
ing that they still will remain neutral
Carranxa's request for the withdraw
al of the American forces from Vera
Cruz, on the ground that It "was In
violation Of the national sovereignty
of Mexico" and a hostile act to the
Mexican nation, gave the president
and his cabinet advisors with whom
he was in conference much concern.
In consequence the White House
statement was issued to inform Gen.
Carranza that the United States could
not recognize him or seek reparation
from him as he requested but must
deal with the authorities in control
of the territory where offenses were
committed. This has been the con-
sistent course of the Washington
government during the present adj
ministration.
Tho OShaoghneegy Incident
The fact that Charge OShaugh-
messy had been handed his passports
by General Huerta added an acute
aspect to the situation, but has been
more or less expected. The Interests
of the United States will be looked
after by one or two Of the other for
eign legations, a. was the case In
Spain during the last war.
Secretary Bryan said that the mere
withdrawal Of the charge d'alfAires
did not necessarily mean war. He re-
ferred to the fact that precedents
showed instances where war did not
Continued on Page eix.l