Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-04-23

Speeches In the House and opposi
ton in the Senate committee on for
eign relations showed that the pros
pect of passing Immediately the joint
resoluti bns, approving the Presidents
course was by no means as bright as
II had seemed. and debate eX-
pected 10 run far into the night, and
possibly continue tomorrow.
President Wilson had pointed out
that under presidents. he did not need
the authority of Congress to act but
merely sought their counsel. advice
and approval "in a matter possibly of
10 grave consequence
ORDERS TO ARMY AND NAVY.
While Congress dcliberated and Major
| ity Leader Underwood urged prompt ac
ton. so if the American forces We're fired
on they would be free to act, the executive
branch Of the government issued orders
TO the army and navy with sNstemat tic
regularity. The army was cautioned to
be on the alert and active preparations to
use the militia as volunteer forces in case
of further emergency were begun.
The warships of the navy were ordered
10 concentrate on Tampco and Vera Cruz
their first objective. Plans were made
to seize these ports
American merchant vessels were or
dered out of Mexican harbors and there
a long session of the Joint board OF
the army and navy participated in by
Admiral Dewey. Maior-General Wood and
Maior-General Wotherspoon, after which
it announced that the army and
navy were prepared for instant action.
Tonight the President conferred at
the White House with the secretaries Of
,,l 10,
sive steps to he taken to force reparation
from Huerta Major-General Wood,
chief of staff of the army; Rear Admiral
Victor Blue, chief of the navy bureau
Of navigation; Rear Admiral Fiske, chief
of the bureau Of operations, and John
Lind the Presidents personal represen-
tauve in Mexico, We're called into the
conference.
AMERICANS ORDERED OUT.
Americans are being earnestly requested
and urged to withdraw from Mexico,
merchant ships are being chartered to
take them away, and while the Presi-
dent himself deprecates the war spirit"
with which the national capital Is sur
charged, high government officials do not
deny that most elaborate precautions are
being taken for any cventuality.
war and navy buildings are being kept
on duty q hours, and everything is on
war basis" Social engagements are
being cancelled by government officials:
members of Congress are hesltant to
leave Washington while the crisis Is on.
Newspaper extras and crowds watch
ing the bulletins in the front Of news
paper offices, and scenes of animation
at the White House and Site, war and
navy buildings indicated to some ex-
tent the excitement that has spread
through Washington.
WOULD AVOID WAR.
The President in statement to the
Washington correspondents said he haG
no enthusiasm for war; that he hoped
to avert it. but that he was takina
forceful steps now to stop those indis
mites which might lead to armed con
hict. lie drew a distinction between
the IIuerta faction and the great body
of Mexican people who had refused tC
recognize General Huerta as theil
president.
The President. in deprecating tn,
war spirit that had arisen said: "II
no conceivable circumstances will w
fight the people Of Mexico"
Measures short of war" are planned b.
the President such as the seizure of Gus
toms houses. the occupation of coas
towns, the taking of Mexican warship
and a blockade of Mexico's commerce wit
the United States.
When the President laid the situation be
fore the cabinet in two-hour session
Counsellor Lansing Of the state depart
ment sat at the table telling in detail o
the precedent upon which tho admlnistra
TONS action. 1t now has been decided or
will be based,
1t happened in 1854 when the captain O
an American war vessel was ordered b
President Pierce to Bluefelds, Nicaragua
to secure PREPARATION for insults to tn
American minister The town was hel
by rebels who had not been recognized b
the United States.
BOMBARDED THREE TIMES.
1t was bombarded by the American shi
three times and finally the American OF
ficer went ashore with his men and burr
cd the town. No lives We're lost, the popr
iation taking refuge some distance away
Mr. Wilson realizes that any actio
which the United States might take mgt
Ls construed by Huerta as a militnr
operation sufficient to provoke war, bu
IN everything said to-day he emphasize
mal It was not the part of a powerfl
nation sucn as the United States to d
clare war on a weak neighbor, especial
on small portion of a country alread
torn by civil strife.
The Presidents message indicated clea
" that should war result the Unite
States would not seek TO add 10 its tie
litoral confines. and that its only pu
pose would be the restoration to MeN'
of law and order.
The delivery of the message eivlnG
Congress n detailed account of the ARE
of the American blueiackets at Tampic
and Hucrta's refusal TO accedc to Res
Adrairal Mayos demand for salui