The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-15
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.


Washington, April H. President
Wilson today ordered virtually the
entire Atlantic fleet to Mexican wa
ters to force public salute to the u.
visional President Huerta as an apol-
ogy for the arrest OF American ma
rines at Tampico last Thursday.
No ultimatum has been issued; that
is no specified time has been set with
in which the Huerta government must
comply, but q naval demonstration has
been ordered as a concrete evidence
of the fixed determination OF the Uni
ted States to support Rear Admiral
MayO's demand for the salute. Up to
tonight Huerta had not made salts
factory response 70 that dernand. .;Fu--
ture developments depend on Huerta
himself, was the way administration
officials close to President Wilson
summarized the situation.
The decision to send the fleet was
reached after the president and Sec
retary Bryan had conferred with John
Lind, the personal representative OF
the president in Mexico and after
two-hour cabinet meeting, during
O'Shaughnessy revealed that Huerta
disputed the right of the American
marines to be ashore at Tampico and
contended that his recent published
statement of apology was ample re-
BIG FIGHTING FORCE.
The fleet ordered to Mexican waters
will be the largest fighting force the
United States has assem- bled for pos
sible action since the Spanish Ameri-
can war. Forty-six battleships and
auxiliary vessels and twenty-one
thousand men will comprise the force
off Tampico.
All government officials expressed
the hope that the sending of the fleet
will not lead to serious consequences.
1t was the confident prediction among
officials that Huerta will satisfy the
demand and close the incident. They
pointed out that negotiations with
Huerta were not ended. and that the
way IL still open for Huerta to make
amends.
Meanwhile the navy department has
sent complete instructions to Rear
Admiral Badger, comma nder -in-chief
OF the Atlantic fleet on the battleship
Arkansas in Hampton Roads, Rear
Admiral Fiske. chief OF the bureau of
operations left for the Roads tonight
to personally explain the diplomatic
side of the controversy and the des-
patches from Rear Admiral Mayo.
Secretary Bryan, who intended to
leave for Miami Florida, tonight on
account OF his illness, cancelled his
reservation; and announced he would
stay in Washington indefinitely. High
administration officials do not expect
critical developments, but are pre-
pared for any emergency.
Secretary Daniels tonight gave at
tention to vessels in the Pacific most
of them already are in Mexican wa
ters.
The torpedo boat flotilla at Pensa-
cola, Florida, was ordered to stand up
for orders.
No orders to the army have been
given yet. 1t was pointed out that
there Is big force on the border al
ready. Administration officials also
desire that the Constitutionalists in
the northern part of Mexico not mis-
interpret this action.
CRISIS IN WEEK.
tt will be about a week before the
fleet is assembled at Tampico. though
the ships are expected to steam away
tomorrow. The crisis in the situation
is expected to come il Huerta has
not yielded by the time the fleet ar
Tives.
Various succeeding steps were dis
cussed among naval officers. Those
familiar with international law here
is said there is no exact parallel case
United States might seize Tamptco
and obtain satisfaction. but this raised
the question whether an act OF war
would be involved Marines might be
landed and the American flag taken
ashore II s1sisfa6tiGH nETS 81 1as
Latest developments in Mexico,
particularly the demand by Rear Ad-
miral Mayo and backed up by the
White House that the American flag
be saluted by the Huerta commander
at Tampico were discussed In detail
today at a conference between Presi-
representative In Mexico for the last
eight months, and Secretary Bryan.
lContinued on Page Threel