South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-18

This decision or the preSluenI
threatens war. This action of the
president in giving Huerta thirty hours
in which TO comply with the United
States' demand followed receipt of
Huerta's refusal TO fire the salute ac-
cording to naval etiquette and prece-
dent The Mexican dictator reiterat-
ed his demand that the salutes be fired
simultaneously. This, the American
government holds, would destroy the
effect of the salute and make 1t moth
ing more than a mere farce.
Huerta was accordingly informed
that unless the salute is fired within
thirty hours he can expect War-a
war backed up by the entire strength
of one of the most powerful navies in
the world 10000 marines assisted by
100000 soldiers. This force, which
can be masSed against Mexico WITHIN a
week is sufficient 10 sweep the MeXi-
can republic from the Rio Grande 10
Yucatan and from the Gulf of Mexico
to the Pacific ocean.
Think Huerta Wants War.
While government officials here
hope that Huerta will comply with the
! United States demand within the time
limit set by the president there is
little real expectation that he Will do
so.
The Mexican dictator by his latest
defiance has shown plainly that he
wants war and the administration IS
Willing 10 crafty his desire should ne
continue in his refusal to salute the
stars and stripes. Officials cOnVersant
with the Mexican situation today stat
ed that Huerta has read the hand
writing on the wall and knows that his
days of power are nearing an end.
Rather than risk facing the frin6
| squad of the cOnStitutiOndliStS, which
Tr hi fafD nn 20 aaf q
| capture Mexico City, the dictator pre-
| fers 10 defy the United States IN the
expectation that when defeated, he
| will be allowed to go into exile in some
foreign country. Furthermore, il was
pointed out, war with the United States
will consolidate all the warning fac
tons in Mexico against this nation.
There is little doubt in the minds OF
government officials here that war with
Mexico would be short lived.
| Plans to Bombard Cities.
| Plans already have been completed
| to bonn bard Vera Cruz, TampicO, and
Mazatlan, and TO land troops at Vera
Cruz TO begin the campaign toward
the City of Mexico.
At the same time q tremendous
force of regular soldiers Will be hurl-
ed across the border and will start
| southwark by way Of Chihuahua, Tor
reon, toward the Mexican capital, fol-
J lowing the same path made famous
iby General Zachary Taylor, in 1S4S.
| Complete plans for the invasion and
| SubjugatiOn of Mexico already are on
file at the navy and army war colleges
and military experts today stated that
il would not take more than six hours
TO put them into execution.
DOESN'T WANT WAR.
MEXICO CITY, April 1S.-"Presi-
| dent Huerta does not want war with
| the United States. He wants peace
| both domestic and foreign, and will
work 10 that end"
The foregoing statement was made
/ today by a prominent Official OF the
Mexican government at the conclusion
| Of an all-night cabinet meeting at the
national palace in which the president
1 submitted TO his advisers the ultima
I tum sent by the United States govern
ment refusing 10 comply with his de-
mand that the salute 10 the American
| flag and that OF the United States ac-
| knowledging it. be fired simultaneous
| ~.
The announcement was taken 10
mean that while the crisis over the
Tampico incident was not entirely over
the chances for peaceful settlement
were good.
At the cabinet meeting President
Huerta told his advisers that the Unit
ed States was willing 10 return the
Mexican salute and this fact is said TO
have had great weight in determining
what decision this government should
reach. When this session ended a
message was sent TO Charge d'Affaires
'Shaughnessy. with a statement tell
| ing the attitude of President Huerta.
air. - ShauS ShneSSy refused - discuss