South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-25

tween the Huerta government and the
United States. The position OF the
American government is declared TO
! be firm that an offense has been com
, mitted against its dignity and nation
al honor, and that il must exact rep
, aration from General Huerta.
Only War Supplies Held I'D.
There have been signs Of uneaSiness
abroad 10 the state OF affairs in
Mexico. since there has been no dec
laration of war. Cabinet officials gave
assurances. however. that although
the United States is in control OF af-
fairs at Vera Cruz, no attempt will be
made TO interfere with the regular
channels Of commerce anywhere Mu-
nitiOns Of war alone will be held up
| Provisions and other commercial ar
ticles and supplies will not be detain-
ed. That extended warfare in Mexi-
co cannot be avoided was the general
private view OF administration officials
| in Washington today, and preparations
| for hostilities went forward despite
| the talk OF mediation by European
powers and last glimmering hope of
the president and his advisers that the
| American forces soon can be with
drawn from the southern republic
No Aggression Until Monday.
With Charge O'Shaughnessy and his
party safe at Vera Cruz and a brief
respite in operations planned while
the troops are hurrying TO the little
port ON the west coast of Mexico, now
held by the naval forces of Uncle Sam.
the administration turned it's attention
chiefly toward getting the remaining
Americans out Of Mexico. At the
same time watchful eyes were kept
on the international boundary which
was conceded to be a danger point
| likely to produce disturbances at any
moment such as the incident at La
redo yesterday afternoon.
Until Monday. unless the Mexican
dictator or the MeXicans along the Dor
der make it necessary TO act, there will
be a respite from activities by the
American eXpeditiOnaTy forces now
on Mexican soil, but in the meantime
Gen. Funston's troops will-be in Vera
| Cruz and ready for action.
AviatOrs Ready to Enlist.
Following a conference with Presi-
| dent Wilson, Secretary Of War Garri-
son summoned Major General Woth-
erspoon, chief Of staff. and Major
General Leonard Wood, who is to
command the forces in the field in
Mexico, TO discuss the situation last
night. Secretary Daniels also con-
ferred with the president. He told
him Of conference with A. ID. Lam
bert of st. Louis, head Of the reserve
there were between Z 3 and 100 avia-
tors in the country owning their own
machines ready to enlist the mo-
ment war is declared. They will be
accepted promptly and assigned TO
duty IN Mexico.
Major General CrOzier, chief Of ord
nance, conferred with the secretary
about midnight He reported that
the situation is in good shape as re-
CARDS all arms and ammunition eX-
cept field artillery.
Immediate shipments Of arms and
ammunition from the Rock Island
arsenal will be made to Texas. There
will be a concentration of arms and
ammunition at New York for ship
ment TO Vera Cruz by steamer.
The private manufacturers of arms
and ammunition have offered to hold
| up private contracts if war s declar-
ed, that the governments orders may
be rushed through first.
The purchase of arms and ammu-
Dition abroad cannot be made, as 1t is
contrary to international practice for
any nation TO sell arms TO a belliger-
ent. The present appropriations,
! IN moreover. are practically exhausted
Three Armies Ready.
The war department is ready to
throw three armies in the field and
follow as many lines of attack should
Il
should become necessary.
The first plan Of attack was initial
ed with the sailing of the Fifth bril-
babe for Vera Cruz under General
Funston. This force will move on
Mexico City from the east coast town.
The second will be the army that
moves upon TampicO. 1t is said that
there are more than 5000 armed Mex
| leans in that vicinity.
The arm TO which will fall the
most difficult operations cf all three
will be that which will, in the event
of coalition of the Mexican parties.
combat the forces of CarranZa and
Villa in northern Mexico. FL Paso,
| Texas, is regarded as a likely point
| for it's concentration and JuareZ the
first and natural point of attack.
North Border Danger Point
At the war department it is felt
that the northern border of Mexico
GERS all along the border have been
dealing with the situation. 1t is un-
/ derstood that the present policy is TO
seize, one by one, the important gulf
ports and to blockade the remainder
against the receipt of consignments of
munitions of war. An effort probably
will be made to garrison the major
ports Of Mexico.
1t is not believed that a fighting
| force OF more than 10000 will be
needed in any battle to be fought in
Mexico. But il will take many times
that number of troops to guard the
railways and to furnish conveys for
supplies enroute and garrisOns for the
bases of supplies. The volunteers