Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-16

Mexico TO uphold the sovereign dignity
OF the United States.
Both administration and Republican
leaders expressed the emphatic view that
the United States in sending the fleet to
Tampico not as a bluff but to signal
ize the fact that at last the patience of
this government has been exhausted and
reparation must be made, or the south
ern republic must suffer grave conse-
quences
There are many who believe that the
President need not ask Congress for au-
thority TO land armed forces in Mexico
to seize the ports.
Though both houses of Congress pro-
ceeded In the regular course of legisla-
tive business throughout the day IL was
everywhere apparent that the departure
of the fleet for Mexico had aroused pa
triotic fervor and the Mexican situation
was the absorbing topic of informal dis
cussion in the cloak rooms and corridors.
Canvass of Senate
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia made
a canvass of the Senate.
81 find" said Senator Smith late today,
chat nine-tenths of the members of the
Senate will stand behind the administra-
ton If the government is compelled by
the defiance of Huerta to land armed
forces at Mexican ports l do not believe
1t would be necessary to nave authorize
ton from Congress for such a move"
Members of the Senate committee on
foreign relations were appraised of the adj
ministration's plan by senator Shiveley.
acting chairman, and Senator Lodge,
ranking Republican member of the COM
mittee, who conferred with President
Wilson.
Possibilities of the. situation were care
fully considered, the conclusion being
that the United States must enforce Ad-
miral Mayo's demand that Mexicos Fed
eral troops salute the flag, no matter
what the consequences may be.
It was pointed out that authority of
Congress to land armed forces in Mex
leo would constitute virtual declara-
ton of war and that formal declara-
ton of war probably would not be
made, because this nation recognizes
no formal government in Mexico,
May Mean Intervention
There are those in Congress who be
lieve that the latest move of the Unit
ed States toward Mexico will mean
actual Intervention, that this govern
ment will proceed, despite reparation
for past insults, to blockade the ports
on both coasts; that the Rio Grande
border forces will be augmented by
powerful reinforcements and vigor-
Gus campaign begun to force an end to
Huerta and the establishment of a
Mayinan which will cOpD-
mand recognition by the United States.
1T is ridiculous for any one to think, y
said Senator Shively, after his confer
ence with the President, that the
United States in this move toward
Mexico is blufting. The time for tenn
porizing has ended. The patience of
this government is exhausted. We are
for peace, but not for peace at sac
rifiee of the dignity of this nation
Tomorrow the House committee on
foreign affairs will meet to consider
developments in the situation. Rep.
Flood and Rep. Cooper, who were with
the President today, will appraise the
committee of conditions as outlined
by the President. A few discordant
notes were sounded in Congress today.
Rep. Mondell of Wyoming in a speech
in the House charged that the Presf-
dent sought to use the Atlantic fleet
Ito enforce the mandates of his per-
sonal prejudice" against Huerta.
Representative Bartholdt of Missouri
declared that refusal of Huerta to sa-
lutte the flag with 81 guns should not
preeipitate the sacrifice of an Ameri-
can life.
Senator Works of California issued
statement criticizing the attitude of
the administration.