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

jas, the minister for foreign affairs
and that a reply would follow.
The second dispatch was in the na-
ture of reply, although officials
quickly perceived that it was not
clearly responsive and definite as to
the demands made by this govern
ment, but raised new issue as to
the United States agreeing in writ
ing to return the Huerta salute.
Mr.. Bryan summarized the Huerta
reply in telegram to the president
at White Sulphur Springs and soon
thereafter held lengthy long dis
tance conference with the president,
going over the points Huerta had
raised. While the reply was con-
siGered favorable in its genral pur-
port as to saluting the American flag,
Yet it again paraleyed over details. AS
result of the long distance talk Mr..
Bryan dispatched further message to
Mexico City making it plain that
President Wilson would listen to coun-
ger proposals or suggestions, but
must have an unequivocal acceptance
Of the American demand at the time
stated. G o'clock tonight.
While these exchanges were going
on by cable between Washington and
Mexico City the navy department was
centring its attention on further prep
aratiOns for an eventuality which
might occur. At 1890 o'clocl-short-
iy after Huerta's latest diliatory mes
sage had been received-orders were
sent to battleship Mississippi with an
aeroplane corps and 600 marines and
the torpedo fiotilla at Pensacola, Fla,
to get under way Immediately, joining
Admiral Badgers fleet as it entered
the Gulf of Mexico, and proceeding
with the fleet to TampicO. The tor
pedO notil!a cCnsits of % destroyers,
the tender Dixie and the scout cruiser
birmingham. Several of the destroyers
are in reserve and it is probable that
only IA will sail.
Secretary Bryan had planned to go
to hul n at IL o'clock, but as the
cal messages began to come in he
changed his plans and went to the
state department. There he was joined
by John Lind and the two went 70
the private telegraph office of the
state department to consult over
difficult piece of deciphering in the
latest message from Huerta. Later the
secretary and Mr.. Lind joined Secre-
tary Tumulty at the White House and
the latest exchanges were further
gone over in detail. 1t became known
that the message showed that Huerta
was not raising objection to the salute
itself, but as to the details under
which the salute would be returned.
The Mexican condition was that
the United States agree in writing
that the salute be fired instead OF
relying on the assurance given by Ad-
mbiral Mayo for Il return salute. This
was construed by officials as a willy
and adroit move on Huerta's part to
American government that would lo
capable Of being construed by him as
a recognition of the de facto Mexican
government Officials here were not
disposed TO give any such assurance
nor to prolong the discussion rs to de-
tails. They were determined, after
consulting with President Wilson. to
hold To the one concrete question of
Hucrta's yielding 10 the American de-
mand as it had been submitted. The
reply to Hucrta made clear 10 him
that yes" or no" to the American
demand was all that remained for
him, and that nothing that WAS to be
done would bear the construction of Il
recognition of the Hucrta regime.
in the meantime tentative plans
procedure which tomorrow may place
thc full naval and military establish
mcnt in thc hands o. the president
for decisive ncaGure; against tho de
facto government in Mexico. The
scope of the authority to be conferred
on the president ana the means to 1o
placed in his hands for cXcrting that
authority will depend on the prcci-
dents desire. When the president
returns to washington carly tomorrow
morning these desires undoubtedN
viii be communicated TO the two leg
iSlativc bodies meeting at noon. Then
he prcSi1pnt nrohublv viii a., =, th,