The Washington herald., 1914-04-23
PRESIDENT SIGNS
WAR RESOLUTION
Name Affixed to Document
Without Ceremony Of
Any Kind.
HOUSE LOSES NO TIME
Acts After Speeches by Mr.. Flood and
Mr.. Mann; in Which Partisan
ship Is Charged. =
HOUSE LOSES NO TIME

War between the United States and
President Huerta of Mexico became a
declared fact at 2:05 o'clock yesterday
afternoon when President Wilson signed
the resolution passed by the Senate and
House giving him authority to use the
armed forces of this country to force the
Mexican executive to make amends for
insults to the American flag.
The resolution reached the White House
approximately one hour before President
Wilson signed IL Mr.. Wilson was at
lunch when the document reached him,
and he at once sent word to Secretary
Bryan and As many other Cabinet off,
GERS as could spare the time to be present
when the Presidential signature was at
tached. They were too busy however,
SO the resolution, which to all practical
purposes answered the uses OF a declara-
tion Of war, was signed without any cere-
mony-
Prompt Action by House.
Prompt action was taken by the House
Yesterday on the resolution. which had
been passed by the Senate at 3:25 o'clock
Yesterday morning. Warfare having been
begun, there was no further show of re-
sistance in the House to the resolution
justifying the President in the use of
armed forces against Mexico Less than
half the members were present when
al
o'clock. The House Immediately got down
TO the business of the hour.
Chairman Flood, of the House Com
mtee on Foreign Affairs. called up the
war resolution. There was no disposi-
tion on the part Of any one to prolong
the debate. Republican Leader Mann
and Chairman Flood INDUCED in sharp
exchanges. each accusing the other of
partisanship. Mr.. Mann declared that
he was opposed to war. and that the
responsibility must be borne by those
who had brought it about. Mr.. Flood
contended that the time had arrived for
the House to uphold the hand of the
President.
At IO:2S the House. by a viva voce vote.
pSssed the war resolution. An hour or
so later the measure had been signed
by Senator Clarke. OF Arkansas, Presi-
dent Pro Tenn OF the Senate. and by
Champ Clark. Speaker OF the House. L
then was forwarded for the approval OF
the President.
In presenting the joint resolution that
the Senate had amended, Chairman Flood
stated that no substantial changes had
been made in the original measure and
that the House should pass II promptly
without discussion.
No Time for Talk.
The time for talking has passed. said
Mr.. Flood. "The resolution introduced on
Monday I believe. was in proper form
The Senate has changed the form and not
the substance OF that resolution.
Mr.. Speaker. I think l have never In
GuIEed in partisanship in this House in
any manner affecting our relations with
foreign countries" said Representative
Mann. the Republican leader This side
of the House. in my opinion. has been
extremely loyal TO the President during
the mast year. and more especially while
the Mexican difficulties have been under
attempted solution. We have refra'ned
from criticising a course in which we did
not believe.
Now. the gentleman from Virginia,
Mr. Flood. charges us with partisanshlp
because some of us are opposed to in
voIving the countre in a war out OF
which there can come no glory to the
American people or the American flag
The partisanship lies on the other side
of this chamber. where, regardless OF
their belief without regard to the facts
without consideration of the questions
involved. they simply act as they are
ordered to do by the President
Il do not believe we ought to engage
in a war with Mexico At this time for
the reasons that have been suggested oy
the President. I do not believe We are
to gain glory for ourselves or honor for
the flag The pending resolution. which
declares tnat II Is lOI III. ~
make war upon Mexico, is a falsehood
upon its face. treated by the world as
another American hypocritical pretentlon
that while actually engaged in war we
discIaim the responsibility for war.
Patience Is Urged.
'If we pass the resolution We have en-
tered upon war. Already We have fired
upon and killed Mexican citizens. Al
ready we have involved ourselves in
war, in a way, with Mexico. 1 believe
we should be patient enough to secure
peace"
Chairman Flood replied briefly to the
Republican leader. charging that while
for weeks the Republicans had been urg-
ing war now they were opposing it.
THE criticisms that have been offered
TO the policy of the President" said Mr..
Flood. will only be remembered as a
reflection upon those who made them.
The Presidents patriotism will add to his
fame and the honor and glory OF our
country"
without a rolI-call the House then took
up the resolution and passed it.