Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-04-24

the American people when say that we do
not desire to control in any degree the
affairs of our sister republic.
Our feeling for the people of Mexico is one
of deep and genuine friendship, and every
thing that we have so far done or RETAINED
from doing has proceeded from our desire
to help them, not to hinder or embarrass
them. We would not wish even to exer-
else the good Offices of friendship without
their welcome and consent
The people Of Mexico are entitled to
settle their own domestic affairs in their
own way. and we sincerely desire to re-
spect their right. The present situation
need have none of the grave implications
Of interference if we deal with it promptly,
firmly and wisely.
No doubt could do what is necessary
in the circumstances to enforce respect for
our government without recourse to the
Congress, and yet not exceed my consti-
tutional powers as President; but do not
wish to act in a matter possibly of so
SAe'N consequence VAICPt Ill ClO6C COIllcT-
ence and cooperation with both the Sem
ate and House.
|. therefore, come to ask your approval
that should use the armed forces of the
United States in such ways and to such an
extent as may be necessary to obtain from
Gen. Huerta and his adherents the fullest
recognition of the rights and dignity of the
United States, even amidst the distressing
conditions now unhappiy obtaining in
Mexico.
There can in what we do be no thought
OF aggression or of selfish Acknowledgement.
We seek to maintain the dignity and au-
thority of the United States only because
we wish always to keep our great influence
unimpaired for the uses of liberty, both in
the United States and wherever else it may
be employed for the benefit of mankind.
Congress has officially justified" the
administrations course in dealing with
Mexico in the following resolution
Whereas, in view of the facts presented
by the President of the United States in
his address delivered to the Congress at
joint session on the goth day of April,
1914, with regard to certain affronts and
indignities committed against the United
States in Mexico,
Resolved, That the President is justified
in the employment of the armed forces of
the United States to enforce his demand
for unequivocal amends for affronts and
indignities committed against the United
States.
BE it further resolved, That the United
States disclaims any hostility to the Mexi-
can people, or any purpose to make war
on them"
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, retiring chief
of staff. Monday was selected to be COM
mander-in-chief of the army of the United
States should it be sent into Mexico. The
choice was made at a conference between
Secretary of War Garrison, Mai. Gen.
Wotherspoon. the new chief of staff, and
Gen. Wood. Maj. Gen. Wood will be or
dered to Texas City. Texas, to take COM
mand of the entire American force there.
A complete program for military occu-
pations in every contingency has been
mapped out. 1t was learned on high au-
thority that the plans provide
First-For a blockade of the several
ports and the seizure of the Customs
Houses.
Second-In the event this plan fails, for
the dispatch of IL, 900 regular troops, the
division now at Galveston and Texas City,
to Vera Cruz, whence they will begin
march to Mexico City. When the first di-
vision is under way second division will
be assembled from the regular troops in
the East and sent to Vera Cruz.
The navy, as originally planned. will
begin the campaign. Marines and blue
jackets will be landed first at Vera Cruz
and Tampico. They will take the Customs
Houses and remove Huerta's chief source
of revenue.
1t is said at the War Department that
arrangements had about been completed
for chartering number of merchant vessels
to be used for the transportation of troops.
Besides the immediate occupation of
Vera Cruz and Tampico. it is planned that
Admirals Badger, Fletcher and Mayo shall
blockade oil the principal ports on the
Atlantic Coast, while Admiral Howard is
doing the same at the principal ports on
the Pacific Coast. Those on the Atlantic
are Frontera, Gampehe. Progreso, Alvardo.
Sante Comapan, Coatzacolcos and Carmen.
Those on the Pacific are Acapulco. Salina
Cruz. Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Topolobampo
and Guaymas.
Acapulco is the terminal of the road
running from Mexico City and Salina Cruz
is the terminal of Tehuantepec Railroad
Several hundred thousand dollars worth
of business is done through these offices
annually.
Rear Admiral Fletcher. in command of
the warships at Vera Cruz, Tuesday was
ordered to seize the Customs House at
Vera Cruz, to prevent 200 field cannon
and 100000 rounds of ammunition from
falling into the hands of Huerta.
These munitions are being brought in
by German ship. and the orders that
went to Admiral Fletcher were to seize these
cannon and ammunition as soon as they
were landed.
Tuesday the Americans captured Vera
Cruz, but at the cost of the lives of several
men and much larger number wounded.
The Mexicans. under Gen. Gustavo Mas,
the commandant of Vera Cruz, put up
stubborn resistance. Two hundred Mexi-
cans were reported killed.
General Mass challenged the advance of
the Americans almost from the first, and
made it clear that the Mexicans do not
purpose to permit peaceful occupation.