The Detroit times., 1914-04-24

there Ia now ne chance OF peace They
are expecting niementarily a formal
declaration OF war from Huerta. They
arm ready far such aetteff.
Suggestions having the approval OF
the president and Secretary Bryan
that the United States Sill remain
quiet at Vera Cruz for time are dis
approved by the men who know the
actual situation. They assert that
unless this nation acts promptly and
PUSHES an expedition TO Mexico City
our forces at Vera Cruz Will be deci.
mated by disease aud constantly ex-
posed to attack from the land. It Is
| believed that the president and his
| premier Will be soon convinced that
energetic action alone will prevent "A
long-drawn out war The general staff
OF the army and navy has told the
president, through Secretaries Dan.
iels and Garrison, that n the Mexican
capital is seized and the railroad be-
tween Vera Cruz and the capital
| guarded, this country can dictate Its
! terms and assure restoration OF tran.
guilty. But IL action is not immedL
ate, the president has been told
Huerta Will be able TO gather to HIS
support Zapata and his brigands, and
large percentage OF CarrRnza and
Villas men. who will desert these
chiefs II they do not agree TO fight
the United States. Then the task OF
taking the capital will be a very seri-
Gus one.
This question was being thoroughly
threshed out today by the president
in conferences with his cabinet offl.
cials IL Huerta formally declares
war, the action OF the United States
Will be materially simplified.
There Will be no further hesitancy,
but all available troops will be hur.
RED to Vera Cruz and to the selected
concentration camps on the border.
The war spirit was rampant in con-
gress today, as the result OF the news
OF the lighting at Vera Cruz. The ma
tional legislators would welcome the
word from the president formally 10
authorize substituting war policy
for "reprisals on Huerta"
Few officials here believe that the
constitutionalists will remain neutral.
Even though villa and Carranza
should desire TO do so II is not be.
lieved they could keep more than
small percentage OF their men loyal
to them when word comes OF an Amer
lean advance from Vera Cruz. Be
cause OF the knowledge OF this fact
the administration is turning the army
south. The war department has been
deluged with kilograms from leading
Texans demanding that real army
be concentrated at the border for pro
lection Senator Sheppard is like
wise being importuned TO force the
administration 10 send troops.
There seemed today TO be a general
panicky feeling in Texas. and more
especially in III Paso, and il was be.
cause OF this that the Presidio troops
were called upon The president
realizes that II he does not send regi,
lars. Gov. Colquitt can be depended
upon TO order his National Guard 10
the border. This would complicate
matters, as Texans generally. and par.
ucularly Texas troops, entertain bit.
ter enmity toward all Mexicans.
The situation at Vera Cruz was civ.
ing the navy department concern to-
day Food supplies are running low
and every effort is being made 20 re
plenish the city III necessary the
navy will issue ratidns to the inhabi.
tants from the Warships IN tho haEhaE
until supplies can be rushed from Gal
weston aud New Orleans Further
fighting is looked for today when Ad- |
miral Fletcher sends regiment OF
marines TO take possession OF the res !
erVoirs which supply the city with wa
ter Maj. Smedley Butler commands
the marines destined for this duty
and he viii take his own men. every
one OF whom has been trained as an |
engineer and machinlsta Butler knows |
every loot OF the territory between !
vera cruz and the capital lie has J
been over II some 80 times since early |
last fall and made maps which are
now In the possession OF Admirals !
Fletcher and Badger. This knowledge
OF conditions will prove invaluable 90 /
his expedition