The Sentinel=record., 1914-04-17
Foreign Nations Urge Salute.

Foreign Nations Urge Salute. Inquiry as to the character of pres. sure brought on General Huerta brought out the fact that foreign governments had an active interest in the events of the last 24 hours. Both the French and German ambassadors | after conferences at the state depart meat were in communication, it is understood, with their representa- tives in Mexico City. Another phase of the situation was a well authenti- cated report that the last installment of loan due Huerta was about to be held up by foreign bankers if he did not comply with American demands. Charge Algara of the Mexican en- bassy here was in close touch by cable with General Huerta and every avenue of influence was in the direc- ton of convincing the Mexican die 1 tator that it was best to yield
 Developments of the day in rapid succession showed that the pressure had its effect. During the night long messages came from Charge O'Shaughnessy describing his talks with Huerta. When they were deci- phered Secretary Bryan hurried to the white house. Acting Chairman Shively of the foreign relations com mittee happened to be waiting to see the president and was called into conference. They were together for short time only and emerged smil. ing.
 The situation is very encourage" i ing" said Secretary Bryan, but he preserved silence as he went to con- fer with Counsellor Lansing about precedents for returning salutes. MT. Lansing showed that in each case on record a salute given as an apology had been returned. In 1865. when the Confederate cruiser Florida was seized in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by Union vessel, Brazil de- manded apology and a salute. The Washington government sent ship to Rio especially to salute the colors of Brazil and the salute was returned. Other cases were cited and Secretary Bryan communicated again with the president
 ''T'he' situation promises a solu- tion,' said MT Bryan afterward, without more than an exchange of communications"
 The news of just what Huerta had offered leaked out through other of ficials and soon it spread throughout the capital The feeling that the crisis was passed removed the ten sion almost instantly.
 When the president received news paper men later in the day he did not make announcement of the Huerta offer. This was generally interprA ed to mean that he was withholding comment until the salute actually had been arranged for. The presi- dent, however, did refer to some phases of the offer indirectly. He was asked if return salute would be given should Huerta salute the colors. His reply was that naval practice showed the return of sa- lute was an invariable custom.
 Navy Departments Statement.
 Later the navy department issued the following statement on this, point:
 If a national salute is fired as an ame1de honorable it is invariably returned gun for gun, by a vessel of war of the power whose flag has just been saluted. This is in accord with international comity and there are many precedents to establish the custom
 "In Admiral Mayos written com munication to the Mexican general Zaragoza at Tampico, April 9 was the original demand for a salute to the flag, in this communication General Zaragoza was informed by Admiral Mayo that the salute would be re turned by the Dolphin"
 Incidentally the despatch of war fleets to Mexican waters brought up a discussion of possibilities in emerg- encies Mr. Wilson held that while no one doubted the right of the ex, executive to take immediate steps, such as the landing of marines or Pacific blockade or even the bom- bardment of coast town, it would be more natural while congress was in session for the president to worl in close cooperation with the legis- l lative branch of the government, whether ie had authority or not to take aggressive steps.
 | Discussion of all these measures ended in official circles when it be- came known that the Huerta govern
 ment had yielded. They attracted
 attention, however, as pointing to the
 inclination of the administration to
 be aggressive in future dealings with the Mexican authorities.
 "Advices from Tampco,' said a
 statement from the state department
 "are to the effect that the ware
 houses of the Agencia Commercial, which were destroyed in the late at
 tack on Tampico, were the property of the Mexican government. It is said that while the buildings them
 selves were of little value, the mer- . chaadise stored in them by the