The daily sentinel., 1914-04-20


The release was followed by
apologies from the commander and
later by an expression OF regret from
General Huerta himself. Huerta urg-
ed that martial law obtained at the
time at Tampico; that orders had
been issued that no one should be
allowed to land II Iturbridge, and our
sailors had no right to land there.
Our naval commander at the port
was not notified OF any such prohi-
bition, and even IL he had been, the
only justifiable course would have
been to request the paymaster and
his crew to withdraw and lodge
protest with the commanding Off
Ger OF the fleet. Admiral Mayo re-
garded the arrest as so serious an
affront that he was not satisfied with
the apologies offered, but demanded
that the flag OF the United States be
saluted with special ceremony by the
military commander OF the port.
The incident cannot be regarded as
q trivial one, especially as two OF The
men arrested were taken from the
boat itself-that is to say from terri
tory OF the United States; but had II
stood by itself 1t might have been at
tributed TO ignorance or arrogance of
q single officer, unfortunately, how
ever. II was not an isolated Case.
"A series OF incidents has recently
occurred, which cannot but create an
impression that the representatives OF
General Huerta are willing to 90 out
of their way to show a disregard for
the dignity and rights OF this govern
ment and felt perfectly safe in doing
Ia4 ,,In lrinu N
show In many ways their irritation
and contempt.
"A few days after the incident at
Tamplco an orderly from the United
States Battleship Minnesota was ar
rested at Vera Cruz. while ashore in
a uniform TO obtain the ships mail
and for n time was thrown in jail.
IAN official dispatch from this gcv-
ernment to its embasssy in Mexico
City was withheld by the authorities
of the telegraph service until preem-
rtorily demanded by our charge de
affairs in person.
80 far as can learn, such wrongs
and annoyances have been suffered 10
occur only against the representatives,
of this government / have neard no
complaints from other governments Of
similar treatment. Subsequent expla-
nations and formal apologies did hot
and could not alter the popular iEl-
preston which it is possible nas been
the object OF the Huerta authorities
to create. that the government OF the
United States is being singled ont and
might be singled out with iunpunity
for sights ana affronts in retaliation
for its refusal to recognize the pre-
lenses of General Huerta to he re-
garded as the constitutionalist pro-
vlsional president OF Mexico.
II is manifest that there u dange'
in such a situation that such otfensts
might grow from bad to worse unTil
something happened so gross and in
tolerable as to lead directly and me-
yitably to armed conflict. 1t was nee
essary that apologies Of Huerta and
his representatives should so much
further. that they should be sucn as
would attract attention OF the whole
population to their significance and
such as would impress Huerta himself
of the necessity of seeing to 1t that
no further occasion for explanations
and professed regrets should arise.
"I therefore felt 1t my duty To sus-
tain Admiral Mayo in the whole OF his
demand and insist that the flag OF the
United States be saluted In suca q
way as would Indicate new spirit
and attitude on the part Of the Hnsr-
taistas.
"Such a salute General Ine-5a re-
fused. and | come to ask your ar
proval and support In the course
now propose to pursue.
This government can, ! earnesul
hope In no circumstances. be forceh
into war with the people OF Mexico.
Mexico is torn by civil strife. II We
are to accept the testimony OF IT'S own
constitution 1t has no government
General Huerta set his power up IN
the CITY OF Mexico, such as 1t IS, With
out right and by methods for wmcn
there can be no justification. only
mart of the country is under his con-
troll. II armed conflict shonld un.
happily come as a result OF MS aIa
tude of personal resentment sowarus
this government, we should ne tighting
General Huerta and those. VINO ad-
here to him and give him heir sup