The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-24
OPEN FIRE ON LAREDO

Them to remain neutral, while this
government continued to seek repa-
ration from the Huerta governme mt
| for indignities offered by the Hucrta
authorities.
1 consular agent George c. Carothers
describing his meeting with General
Villa reached the president early in
| the day. In these messages it was
| specifically stated that Villa would not
T! join with Huerta and the intimation
was conveyed that General Carranza,
| by his strong protest against the cap
ture of Vera Cruz was in reality, seek
| ing to prevent disintegratton Of his
forces.
Future steps are dependent. upon q
| more definite announcement of the
intention of Gen. Carranza- Likewise
1t is declared the American forces will
not extend their operations beyond the
vicinity of Vera Cruz until it is clear
whether Gen. Huerta will declare
war or send troops to attempt to dis
lodge the American forces.
No Call for Volunteers.
The president made it clear that he
volunteers or to ask for an extension
of his authority. 1t was further stated
that a brigade Of infantry and artillery
from Galveston to reinforce the naval
forces at Vera Cruz is not intended as
an indication that the United States
would develop a campaign against
Mexico City but should Huerta by some
overt act against Americans in Mexico
City or elsewhere, provoke the Ameri-
can government further, there will be
a continuation Of efforts to obtain
reparation.
President Wilson considers that in
accordance with international preced-
even push its way into the interior OF
the country to. obtain redress for
wrongs. without actually being in a
state Of war with the Mexican people
as a whole. He. however, realizes that
Huerta, by rallying to his support a
great part of the Mexican nation, may
actually precipitate a general war but
1t is certain that the initiative in a de-
claration Of war would have to como
from Mexico before the president ap-
pears before congress to ask for more
powers or funds.
This being regular cabinet day the
presidents official advisers gathered at
the executive office shortly before noon.
the Mexican situation being taken UP
for further deliberation.
Great Activity Manifested.
The war department hustled with
activity today following the first ac-
tual movement of the army, in the
Mexico crisis, namely the departure Of
the Fifth brigade of the First division
from Galveston. by transport, for Vera
Cruz. Major General Wood, designated
to take command of the troops in the
fleld, was in charge of the movement,
and he received reports early stating
that the brigade had been shipped and
would leave later in the day.
Meantime the department was busted
with conditions on the Texas border.
Despite the friendly attitude assumed
by General Pancho Villa. in his state
ment. citizens Of the towns along the
border were apprehensive and the de-
partment received several applications
for additional border guards. General
Wood and his aides carefully scanned
all Information as to the concentra-
ton of constitutionalist forces in the
neighborhood of Juarez where Villa is
located.
President Wilson and his advisers
anxiously await word today of the
safe arrival of Charge D'Affaires
OShaughnessy at Vera Cruz. He left
Mexico City under special Mexican
guard during the night and Admiral
Badger had been ordered to give safe
conduct to his train through the Amer
ican lines.
Plan Further Operations.
Officials of the navy and war de-
partments busted themselves with
plans for further operations in the
Fifth brigade under General Ful.ston
at the Mexican seaport, there will be
concentrated a force sufficient to hold
the city or begin offensive operations
General Mas, the Huerta cOmman-
der who left Vera Cruz, was reported
as concentrating all his available force
at Soledad, SO miles away, on the
railroad line to Mexico City Reports
from Admiral Badger however, said
that the forces now in Vera Cruz
should be able to Withstand any at
tack.
1t generally was understood no Of
fensive operations would be under
taken into territory controlled by the
constitutionalists at this time. The
possibility Of requests of support from
congress for carrying on further oper-
ations by the president increased to-
day.
The war department considered the
need for volunteers and estimated on
the funds that would be needed for
mobilizing the militia At the navy
department, Representative Padgett OF
Tennessee, chairman of the house
naval affairs committee, was called
into conference with Secretary Dan
iels. The naval appropriation bill car
rying s142, 100000 and providing for
the building Of two new battleships Is
now under consideration in the house.
Artillery Ordered to Vera Cruz.
Galveston, April N.-Rush orders to
embark for Vera Cruz, Immediately, the
fifth brigade of infantry and as much
artillery and cavalry as available in
the second division of the army here
have been received from Washington.
The order for the artillery, military
men said. created a deep impression,
for it is upon this arm of the service
that success in campaign against inn
portant inland strongholds generally
depends.
The orders were to take necessary
ammunition and other supplies for at
least 80 days. The four transports.
Meade, Mcclellan. Sumner and Kill
patrick. loaded and waiting to go, al
ready carry supplies for $500 men for
at least 60 days.
The orders impress the fact that in