Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-21
instructions to Army

Instructions to Army
President Wilson had pointed out
that under precedents he did not neeo
the authority of Congress to act pul
merely sought their council, ADVICE
and approval "in a matter possibly Oh
so grave consequence" While con-
gress deliberated, and Majority Leader
Underwood urged prompt action SO
that If American forces were fired on
they would be free to act. the execu-
tive branch of the government lssueo
orders to the army and navy with sys-
tematic regularity. The army was
cautioned to be on the alert, ana ac-
tive preparations to use the militia as
volunteer forces in case of further
emergency were begun.
The warships of the navy were or
dered to concentrate on Tampico ana
Vera Cruz as their first objects. Plans
were made to seize these ports. Amer
lean merchant vessels were ordered
out of Mexican ports, and there was
a long session of the joint board OF
the army and navy, participated in by
Admiral Dewey, Major General Wood
and Major General Wotherspoon, after
which II was announced that the army
and navy were prepared for instant
action.
Conferences at Write House
Tonight the President conferred at
the White House with the secretaries
of state, war and navy about the sue
cessive steps to be taken to force rep
aration from Huerta. Major General
Wood, chief of staff CT the army; Rear
Admiral Victor Blue, chief of the
navy bureau of navigation; Rear Ad-
miral Fiske, chief of the bureau of
operations; and John Lind, the Pres
ident's personal representative in Mex
leo, were called into the conference.
Americans are being earnestly re-
quested and urged to withdraw from
Mexico, merchant ships are being
chartered to take them away and
while the President himself deprecates
the "war scare with which the ma
tional capital is sureharged, high gov
eminent officials DO not deny that
most elaborate precautions are being
taken for any eventuality. Clerks and
secretaries in the state, war and navy
building are being kept on duty "a
hours and everything is on a war
basis"
Army and Navy Board Meets
A meeting today of the joint army
and navy board was called for the
chief purpose of preventing clashes of
authority between these two branches
OF the service where they might be
ordred to work in conjunction.
Besides Admiral Dewey and Major
General Wortherspoon those who par
ticipated in the deliberations Of the
Joint board were:
Rear Admiral William H. Suther-
land, Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske.
Secretary Daniels aide for operations,
Capt. Harry s. Knapp, Brig. Gen.
Hunter Light and Brig. Gen. Eras-
mus M. Weaver.
Military Committee Today
The House military committee will
meet tomorrow to discuss the military
situation. Chairman Hays said to-
night that no plan was in contempla-
tion for any legislation to provide
more troops. but that all depended on
what the President wanted The War
College has indicated that 100000 vol
unteers would be needed If troops were
put on Mexican soil.
The administrations plans for fur
Their action against Mexico marked
time tonight pending the passage of
a resolution by Congress authorizing
President Wilson TO use the army and
navy as he saw fit.
Rear" Admirals Blue and Fiske car
ried to a White House conference a
map Of the coast Of Mexico, and there
was general discussion of steps that
might be necessary in the near flu
ture.