The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-23
Development OF the Spirit OF Ser
vice Between april 20 and May II.


vice Between April 70 and May Il.
President WILSON went before the
Congress of the United States. assem-.
bed In the hall Of the House Of Rep
resentatives. on April ~ and addressed
them on the relations between this ma
tion and the Republic Of Mexico. The
first paragraph Of his speech was:
"Gentemen OF the Congress: II Is my
duty to call your attention to a situation
which has arisen In our dealings with
General NicroRrASo HvERTA at Mexico
city which calls for action, and to ask
your advice and cooperation in acting
upon it,"
Following this introduction Presi-
dent WILSON gave a dispa ssionate &C
count OF the Tampico incident and
President HUERTA's refusal to give the
salute we demanded on the terms we
laid down. Deplorlng the possibility
OF EARNED conflict" President WILSON
used these words:
"If armed conflict should unhappily
come as a result OF his attitude Of per-
ment. we should be fighting only General
HuERrA and those who adhere to him and
give him their 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 and their
own Government
But I earnestly hope that war is not
now In question.
IT believe that I speak for the American
people when I say that we do not desire
to control in any degree the affairs OF our
sister republic"
President WILSON then empha sized
our friendship for the people Of Mex
leo and our Discrimination to interfere
with their affairs without their wei
come and consent" He spoke Of the
rights Of the Mexican people thus:
1.-THE people OF Mexico are entitled TO
settle their own domestic affa!;s IN their
own way and sincerely desire to
respect their right The present situation
need have none OF the grave implications
of interference il we deal with 1t
promptly, firmly and wisely"
At that time President WILSON be-
lleved that his constitutional powers
gave him ample authority to deal with
the situation in which he asked for
the advice and cooperation" Of the
Congress, but he desired the support IF
that body. He explained his position
mo doubt could do what is necessary
in the circumstances to enforce respect
for our Government without recourse TO
the Congress and yet not exceed my con-
sttutional powers as President, but ! do
not wish to act in a matter possible OF so
grave consequence except in close confer
ence and cooperation with both the Senate
and House"
He then told the Congress what he
wished, in these words:
II therefore come to ask your APP
prevail that should use the armed forces
Of the United States In such ways and
to such an extent as may be necessary to
obtain from General HUERTA and his ad-
herents the fullest recognition of the
even amid the distressing conditions now
unhappily obtaining IN Mexico"
The House of Representatives at once
passed resolution declaring that:
1.-THE President OF the United States Is
Justified in the employment Of the armed
forces OF the United States of America to
enforce demands made upon VTcroRiASo
HuERTA for uncquivocal amends to the
United States for affrOnts and ind!gnities
committed against this Government by
General HUERrA and his emissares"
This resolution was transmitted to
the Senate. There II was opposed, in
part on the S"ound that such Il dcclara-
ton should not be aimed against an in
dividual, The reluctance of the Senate
to accept the resolution irritatcd and
troubled the President This irritation
did not stop the Senate from eyer.
cislng its functions as dclhcratlvc
body, and considerable of the resoli,
ton Went over until April Il. After
an exhaustive debate the subioine,l
resolution, subsequently concurred in
by the House in place OF it's resolution,
was passed In the early morning hours
of April 30, after Vera Cruz had fallen
to our arms:
"Rosolpcd, That the Presiden. is justi-
ned In the employment of the armed forces
of the United States to enforce his demand
for unequivocal amends for arronts and
!ndgnites committed against the United
states in Mexico.
"Be It further resolved, That the United