The Washington times., 1914-04-25
Diplomatic 7angle
Tightens Situation
Congress Supports President, But Will Levy No Tax
Until Policy Is Deter rmined-Huerta Out
guesses Adm inistration.

The diplomatic tangle over Mexico has
created a situation of unrest here in
Washington. Congressional leaders are
vainly importuning the White House for
an announcement of a definite policy.
No word comes from the President.
He and his advisers may have a decided
plan, but all knowledge of it Is with
held from the public. The inevitable
result OF campaign Of silence has been
the circulation Of rumors which are ac-
cepted as truth because they are not
denied. The result was a tenseness to-
day in Congress which may break into
storm of open criticism of Secretary
Of State Bryan and the President at any
moment.
Congressional leaders generally believe
that the President and Mr.. Bryan have
been in negotiation with Carranza. They
say they are assured that the President
sent word to Gen. Pancho Villa that,
with Vera Cruz in the hands OF the
United States forces. there was now no
reason why the constftutionalist forces
now at Tampico should not push direct
ly southward without delay and take
Mexico City. These Congressional chief
tains insist the reports that the con-
st'tutionalists have renewed their as
snul: On Tampico confirms this belief.
The White House and State Depart
ment refuse to discuss the matter. But
Mr.. Bryan and Secretary OF the Navy
Daniels have issued several direct state
nents praising Carranza, Villa, and
their men and insisting there is no chance
that they will join hands with Huerta.
very plain studied effort is manifest
everywhere in Administration circles to
assure the constitutionalists against any
fear that this nation has any perma-
nent designs on Mexican territory.
Meanwhile. the reports continue to
reach this city from the border that
the rank and file of the constitutional
lists are chafing over the situation. AT
Torreon many of Villas crack men are
reported to have abandoned bis cause
and to be en- route south to join the
federals under the terms of the gen.
eral amnesty proclamation issued by
Huerta and under which Zapata and
his band of irreSulars have already
espoused the federal cause.
Outguesses United States.
Huerta has apparently outgussed the
United States on one proposition. The
President and all of his advisers were
confident that his handing OF passports
to O'Shaughnessy would be followed by
formal declaration of war. This
would then have permitted the United
States to have accepted the def and
rushed its troops into the interior from
Vero Cruz. But Huerta has contented
himself with issuing proclamations de-
nouncing the United States: calling on
all classes Of Mexicans to rally TO the
support of the government, but not
toe, Nha
a formal war AS result the Ad-
minstr alton has been unable to take
any steps toward actual reprisals other
than the landing of Its men at vera
Cruz.
the Treasury McAdoo to confer with
the party leaders in Congress regarding
a war tax measure. McAdoo urged
them to introduce a revenue measure
so that It could receive consideration
and not have to be rushed throush "s
an emergency act
'.Declare war and we will do so at
once was the reply made 10 the
Treasury head. I'VE will upholu lhe
president to the last ditch. but we can
not present any excuse to the people oI
the country for war TAX ID" u'ieS'
there is an actual war.
That was the report that McAdoo took
back to the President. 1t repreSentS'u
the attitude Of Congress. III the rltsI-
dent needs money LOT MS piSSSiiN
ments of ships and men he can nave
that money appropriated from the
Treasury reserve OF more than $780,
coo 600. The leaders stand ready to pass
an emergency appropriation OF S1o.WoOvo
in a few hours But IL a war tax Is
wanted conditions of actual warfare
must prevail. The leaders have already
decided that they will not levy small
stamp taxes until compelled to do SO.
A bill exacting a dollar a barrel on beer;
and an Increased tax on WHISKY and
spirits generally and on tea. coffee. and
the like. has been framed to prodhce
more than $lOO 600 900 annually.
That will be the initial war tax meas