The Daily Missoulian., 1914-04-26
Democratic Leaders Rebel and
Are Not Concealing Their
Disapproval of the Watch
and-Wait Policy When Ac-
tion Is Needed.

Washington, April 25.-Thongh the
Mexican crisis has been under sup
preston in congress for several days
while the president and his cabinet
executed plans for reprisals against
the defiance OF General Huerta, there
is an impelling undercufrent of feel
ing in both senate and house for a
declaration of war, which was tenn
pered somewhat tonight by the ac-
ceptance Of offers of mediation from
Argentina, Brazil and Chile.
Leaders in congress had for several
days been informally discussing the
necessity for an unequivocal declara-
ton OF war, for a sweeping campaign
in Mexico and for the ultimate estab-
llshment, by force, of American arms.
OF peace and constitutional govern
ment in the battle-worn republic.
No swell from the undercurrent
reached the surface today, however.
but members of both houses had pre-
dicted that storm would break Mon
reached Vera Cruz to support the
were most restive over the situation
believed tonight after learning Of the
,ntermediaton proposals that no
further aggressive action toward Mex
leo should be forced until it should
become apparent that the good offices
OF South A1perican nations to COM
pose the situation would fail.
Although there was evidence of the
FEELING of dissatisfaction with present
conditions in the senate probably the
most remarkable evidence of unrest
was given in the house. During a
day devoted under the surface to a
discussion Of Mexico. most of the
leaders were III conference and senti-
ment developed was strongly in favor
OF war
In the conferences more than a
dozen of the most prominent men on
the democratic side participated.
Speaker Clark, Majority Leader I'm
derWood, Chairman Flood of the for
eign relations committee, Chairman
fitzgerald of the appropriations COM
mlttee, and Chairman Hay of the
military committee figured in all OF
them.
Ihe discussion was so outspoken
That there was talk for time of the
appointment of a committee to con-
s1st of Mr.. Clark and Mr. Underwood.
Whlch should call upon President Will
son and inform him that the senti-
neht OF the house was for war.
beVelopments of the day, however,
particularly the appearance OF hope
ehat mediation by South American re-
puollcs might bring about a peaceful
solution, interfered with this plan and
the conferences ended without definite
conclusion,
Out of the many conferences tha at
utude of the house leaders became OK.
ceedingly clear. They said that war
should be declared; that the United
States should send the army into
Mexico and "go through with what i
had started" that in this wav onl,.
can peace be established on a sonnd
ana permanent basis. They repre-
sented the sentiment of the house IN
.nelr side and they prepared to tell
me president that since the house took
Inns position they believed it to be
the position of the country.
Although the news of proffered
inedlation put a new aspect on the
SITUATION, 1t was the general under
standing that the house leaders expect
70 make their representations to the
pieslaeht as soon as the army has
oeen concentrated at Vera Cruz.
IN the senate there was no such
concerted action as was evident in the
mouse, but there We're reports Of dis
from Individual senators
ana evidence that the bond of silence
Mi'leh many senators have observed
ior months will be broken on Monday
ana that war talk again will flourish.