The daily sentinel., 1914-04-21
SEIZE VERA
CRUZ ORDER
To ADMIRAL
Wilson Will Not
Wait Delay Of
Congress
STOP AMMUNITION SHIPMENT
wy ASHINGTON. d. c.. April 81.
w -tBy Associated Press y


w While congress was debating
the Mexican situation, the President
has ordered Admiral Fletcher to
seize the Vera Cruz customs house
TO prevent Huerta from getting the
several million rounds of ammuni-
tion and the 200 field guns on q
German steamer bound for that
port. The orders were issued today
when the apparent delay in congress
was accruing to the advantage of
Huerta.
At noon the cabinet was in session
So far as known there has been no
word from Fletcher of his action. or
ficials said the orders were left at
Fletcher's discretion as TO how to act
1t is said the President had ample
authority FIR such action. The order
was isSaed4. at daybresiS after -sthe
President and cabinet officials had
been in conference since 4 O'Clock by
telephone. Word from Fletcher ia
awaited momentarily.
The house resolution as amended
by the foreign relations committee
was laid before the senate at noon.
A new resolution to accept as
"sufficient reparation" the apologies
already offered by Huerta for the
Tampico incident was introduced by
Senator Works.
Lodge opened the debate, empha-
sizing the responsibility of the SEN
ate. Senator Williams asked how
I long 1t took the senate to pass the
Spanish war resolution.
From April l to 49," replied La
Toilette.
Many members of the house en-
oh ha4r nd
said the Presidents message dis
claimed any hostility toward the
Mexican people. adding:
This resolution carries armed in
tervention.'
The cabinet meeting broke up
while the senate debate was on. Sec
retary Tumulty and some of the cab
met members hurried to the senate.
There is nothing new In the sit
uation," Is the way Postmaster Cen
eral Burleson put it.
Lodge resented the imputations
that the Republicans were lacking
in proper regard for honor of the
flag" He continued:
villa as Bad as Huerta.
we must also think what the
flag covers. One hundred and fifty
American citizens have perished on
Mexican soil. cannot overlook
these outrages in demanding salts
faction for the Tampico insult.
cannot pass these murderers by ST.
lentIy without saying that here is
the greatest wrong to be atoned for.
] cannot appear to be put in the posi-
ton where | appear to pick and
choose between factions that today
tear Mexico asunder. ! cannot Join
Ia any resolution which puts the
United States in the position of pre-
ferring one murderer and cut throat
above another murderer and cut
throat. ! have no desire to criticize
the President for failure to recos-
nize Huerta condemn the meth
ods by which he has reached his po-
sition. but the fact that condemn
his methods does not lead me to put
myself in the position. which. by dis
tortion of acts, which We take hero
would put me behind Villa.
The Lodge substitute refers to
the long series of outrages against
Americans in Mexico. This is not
accepted by the Democrats and it
was said 1t would not be accepted by
the house leaders.
Acting Chairman Shively of the
foreign relations committee declared
that the resolution was OF para
mount Importance" He declared
that the preamble offered by Lodge
meant nothing but war. and said
the President had not asked congress-
for authority because he did not
wish to pursue war. He declared:
Expedition here is vital because
this is an effort to preserve peace.
Replying to question by Branda-
gee. Shively declared the seizure Of
Vera Cruz would not necessarily be
an act OF war Shively insisted that
the true complaint was Of acts which
wero not assault on private persons
or property. but acts that had all the
evidence OF being meant as insults to
(Gontinued on Page 81