Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-02-05

/ mas since Dccn Nilitiiy w pa
vent smuggling of arms.
The United States was confronted in
the spring of 1912 with another revolu-
tionary outbreak this time by Orozco
against the Madero government, which
had been formally recognized. Again the
United States took the position of as
sisting the regularly constituted govern
ment, but President Taft asked for speci-
iic legislation empowering him to make
the embargo against arms more effective.
Accordingly a joint resolution was passed
on March A. 1912, by Congress, providing:
THAT whenever the President shall find
| that in any American country conditions
, OF domestic violence exists which are
promoted by the use of arms or NUM-
| tons of war procured from the United
| States, and shall make proclamation
thereof, 1t shall he unlawful to export
except under such limitations and ex-
ceptions as the President shall prescribe
any arms or munitions of war from any
place in the United States to such coun-
try until otherwise ordered by the Presi-
dent or by Congress"
ACT Is APPROVED.
Expressions of warm approval came
from both ends of the capitol to-day when
news spread of the Presidents decision to
lift the embargo. To members of the Sen
ate foreign relations committee it was
no surprise. for they had an intimatior
of it in their recent conference with the
: President
I Such an announcement does surprise
me-" said Senator Lodge, republican. 81
would rather not comment on it. but try
to sustain the President in his foreign pol
| icy"
Senator Root, another republican leader
commended the move, as did democrats
generally. Members of all political par
! ties said that, regardless OF the merits OF
| the embargo itself, its operation hitherto
had been a distinct disadvantage to the
! constitutonalists Many members of the
foreign relations committee who now APP
prove the lifting of the embargo did not
think that way last August and there arc
some, on the other hand, who think that
| If the embargo had been raised sooner, the
/ revolution in Mexico might now have beer
ended.
Many members of Congress are con-
fdent that the Presidents action to-
day means the termination of the
U. S. NOT A PARTISAN.
Senator'S did not venture predictions
as to what kind of government would
succeed but they pointed out that the
Constituencies had a semhlance of
organized ana regulated power, even
though they had not established civil
government in the territory under
their control They do not feel that
the time has come for tho United
| States to recognize the constitutions
al!st forces as bclligercnts in the dip
lomatic sense. and persons close to the
administration were careful to point
out that to-day's developments should
not be construed as involving the
United States as partisan In the
Mexican situation.
Inquiries as to whether the withdrawal
or Charge O'Shanghnessy or any charge
in the border patrol was under consid
Grafton led to the declaration of hgl
officials of the administration that M
further steps were contemplated at pres
emit
The national capital buzzed as to tn,
probable effect in Mexico of the liftn.
of the embargo, Many officials CONVEX
SAINT with Mexican affairs did not believ,
any immediate change in the situation
would result In the highest official cir
cles no excitement was displayed over tn,
situation, the usual serenity prevailing a
the White House and the executive de
partments.