New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-18
1UERTA NOT PLEDGED
TO SALUTE THE FLAG
Continued from pare 4

agree 10 return tho Mexican salute.
This, too, was turned down by the ed-
/ ministration Washington made no
secret OF its intention 60 respond TO
Huertas salute, hut Il would not make
\ an agreement IN the matter. Huertas
scheme was obvious Ho wanted To
establish. for use in Mexico. that he
had demanded and obtained salute
from tho United states He would.
doubtless. call this recognition.
3. That the salute be fired anoat
rather than ashore. To this the United
States is ready TO agree
There is feeling in administration
circles that Hucrta is not averse to
trouble with the United states Tho
administration thinks that Huorta is
on his last legs and that he would
rather go out In the glory OF being
thrown out by Americans than TO be
driven out by tho Constitutionalists
He would rather he a martyr at tho
hands OF tho Colossus OF tho North"
than mere fugitive from the wrath
Of his Mexican enemies.
Observers here, however, view with
the utmost skepticism any optimism
the administration now shows. Opt
mism has been the ADMINISTRATIONS
chief stock I'm trade since last summer,
Il is pointed out, but no solution OF the
Mexican Ituation has ever appeared.
Yesterdays expressions OF confidence
that Huerta would meet American de-
mands Is cited as an example Of what
/ has been going on Tor months.
Fleet Will Go On.
II has been definitely decided that
whether Hucrta complies with Ameri-
can demands to salute the flag or not
the Atlantic feet which is speeding on
its way to Tampico will proceed. There
is no intention Of stopping the armada.
which will find useful duty in Mexl-
can waters in promoting the Presidents
plans. for the final elimination OF Vic
toriano Huerta
When Huerta began TO inquire about
the salute being returned the Secretary
OF the Navy referred the matter to the
General Board OF the Navy. a body OF
high ranking officers. headed by Ad-
miral Dewey who decide on recon-
mendations as to naval policy. The
general board was unanimous in its
decision that regulations, traditions
and presidents required that the salute
be returned II properly given. The
matter was also referred TO the naval
aids Of the Secretary. who have charge
Of the operation Of the department and
Of the fleet. They, too agreed that
the salute should be returned.
Some relief was caused to-day by a
report that the Mexican gunboat Pro-
greso had returned TO Tampico. This,
il was pointed out, at least gave Huerta
something with which TO fire the salute,
and the situation was at least that
much relieved
Mr.. Bryan expressed hopefulness this
afternoon, as he did yesterday Failing
10 get any genuine news as to present
conditions, a newspaper correspondent
asked Mr.. Bryan II he was still hope
full. He said that he was. Then he
was asked II he was hopeful to-day
FOR the same reason that he was yes
terday He said that he was. and
added:
Hope, you know, springeth eternal
in the human breast" He smiled ex-
pansively until some one replied:
Yes, but there's another one: Hope
deferred maketh the heart grow sick
The third division OF the Atlantic
fleet. now docking at Boston and con-
sisting Of the battleships Virginia.
Georgia, Nebraska, New Jersey and
Rhode Island, will follow tie main por-
ton Of the Atlantic fleet the latter
part Of the month. One OF these ships
may not go, but the division as a whole
will get its orders soon, according to
Secretary Daniels.