Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-04-25
THE PRESIDENT BEFORE CONGRESS

| Huerta and his adherents the fullest
recognition of the rights and dignity
of the United States"
The president did not ask for any
/ appropriation of money at this time,
nor for authority to cali out the ma
tional guard.
There can be no thought of aggres-
( sion or of selfish ACKNOWLEDGEMENT" de-
ciared the president to the sOmbre-
faced senators and representatives
who packed the hall of the house
This government can, | earnestly
hope, IN no circumstances be forced
into war with the people of Mexico
If armed conflict should unhappily
/ come as the result of his (HuertasD
attitude of personal resentment to-
ward this government. we should be
fighting only General Huerta and
those who adhere TO him and give
him support. and our object would be
only to restore to the people of the
distracted republic the opportunity to
set up again their own laws aud their
own government.
There can, in what we do. be no
thought of aggression or selfish ag,
grandiZement. We seek to maintain
the dignity and authority of the Unit
ed States only, because we wish al
ways TO keep our great influence I'M
impaired for the uses Of liberty both
in the United States and wherever
else it may be employed for the bene-
fit of mankind
Detailed plans for landing of ma
rines at these two important coast
towns We're completed at confer
ence at the White House between
President Wilson. Secretaries Bryan,
Garrison and Daniels, Major General
Wood and Rear Admirals Fiske and
Blue, and John Lind
mo orders to the army and navy
were issued, action temporarily being
deferred until congress acts on the
joint resolution approving the presi,
dents purpose of using the armed
forces of the United States to enforce
its demands against General Huerta
growing out of the arrest at Tampico
of American biuejackets.
The resolution passed the house
Monday night by a vote of 337 to 81
after a spirited debate. For several
hours it was considered by the senate
foreign relations committee.
Persons who were in touch with the
president said the steps which would
be taken by the United States. short
of war;" were of nature which would
not require formal notification to the
powers in the same sense that a dec
laration of blockade or other pre-
liminaries to war. Foreign govern
ments will be kept informed of de-
velopments, however.
The debate in the house brought
out the fact that while the American
navy probably would block off Mex.
leo from commerce, it would not in
terfere with the passage to and fro of
foreign vessels, though cargoes dis
charged on the shore might be held
at the custom house.
Resolution Passed by House.
The joint resolution which was pass
ed by the house and which was be-
fore the senate, read as follows:
"A Joint resolution justifying the
employment of the armed forces of
the United States in enforcing certain
demands against Victoriano Huerta.
Resolved by the senate and house of
representatives in congress assem-
bled, That the president of the United
States is justified in the employment
OF the armed forces of the United
States to enforce the demands upon
Victoriano Huerta for uneQuivocal
amende to the government of the
United States for affronts and indig-
mites committed against this govern
ment by General Huerta and his rep
resentatives"
During the evening there were in
formal conferences of democrats and
republicans and opposition to the
phraseology of the resolution was ap-
parent, Many senator's, among them
few democrats objected to singing
out General Huerta as an individual
and wanted to amend the resolution
to direct it against the de facto gov
eminent in Mexico City. Others want
ed to make the resolution broad
enough to cover Mexico generally.
Administration leaders were begin
ming to rally their forces early in an
ticipation of republican opposition.
Administration senators held that the
passage of the resolution was a step
which would enable the president act
ually to prevent war by forcing
Huerta to respect Americans and
their interests
The president had made it clear to
congress that the executive really had
authority to act, but that he preferred
the approval of congress before max
ing any important move. Members of
the house went to bed instead of wait
ing for the senate to reconvene.
Washington. - General Victoriano
Huerta has finally refused to accede
to the demand of the president of the
United States that he order an apollo
getic salute to the American flag.
General Huerta's refusal is definita |