The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-15
Leaders In Congress Endorso
Action Of tho President
In Insisting That Mexico shan
Make Reparation.
OUR GRIEVANCES ARE iaGY
They Are Set Forth in IN o.
cial Statement.
Movement Of the Fleet to Tau-
pico Has Begun.

Washington, April 15.-while t1ho
fighting ships Of the Atlantic fleo<
were turning their prows toward
TAmpico today to enforce Preeideat
Wilson's demand on Huerta for q pub
lie salute to the American flag. eeuA-
tors and Representatives were suuuR>
moned to the White House to be M
formed OF all phases Of the situat1oh
that congress might be prepared. fof
any further steps. President Wlleou
told the congressman that he stood
first for peace, but that II Huerta az
not comply with the American de-
mands the first step to enforce the1n
Vera Crux for which he cone10oEo
there IL ample precedent
Acting Chairman Shively of IL
senate foreign relations committee
can OF that committee. Chairnn
Flood OF the house foreign affairs coGl-
mtttee and Representative Coop69s
the ranking Republican Of tllee
which Mr.. Wilson outlined all tho de-
tails of the now historic TAmpico i'm
cident. in which q Huerta Commands
arrested American blue jackets ana
refused to salute the stars and stripes
.HkO4OoJs
An OFFICIAL Statement,
An official statement setting forth
the view of President Wilson and the
administration disclosed that the
Tampico incident alone was not the
cause of the sending Of the fleet ana
mand for an apology. 1t disclosed
the hitherto unpublished facts that Of
ficial dispatches from Washington to
Charge O'shaughnessy have been m
tercepted and delivered to a Mex1can
censor; that ships orderly sent
ashore for mail at Vera Cruz was ar
rested. although he was in full uni
form and carried the governments
mail pouch ON his back and that tlo
succession of affronts to the United
| government that its representative
are being singled out for indien1tteo.
It is pointed out that with other ma
tions having representative in 4exico
to ask for apologies. Mr.. Wilson Ina
| pressed upon his callers that while le
sincerely hoped no occasion would
arise for the use Of force. q c0ntfn-
gency might follow as the result oS
the American demand for q salute ana
| he wished members Of congress, to b
prepared. All four men who saw the
president said no steps would be taken
of serious nature. such as the land
ing of marines. or the shelltng of =
town, without authorization from COM
gress.
Precedents Cited.
Marines have been landed before
said Chairman Flood, without au-
thorization and towns have even been
shelled, but inazmuch rs congress -
| in session, it would be more regular
| to get authorization from congress.
The president gave US the history OF
the TampicO incident and explained
| Just what had been done. but future
Il rfu nsfi 0W ~
attitude Huerta takes. Congress.
am sure, will stand by the president.
Senator Shively likewise described
the conference as chiefly Informative.
There have been no overnight de-
velopments," he said. " and there -
really nothing imminent as yet. We
all hope that General Huerta win
yield and remove grave situation but
II he does not. we are prepared to
back up our demands. Before any
| marines are landed or any bOmbard-
| ments or other serious steps are taken
the president intends to consult COM
gress. We obtained from him today .
! complete account Of what has taken
have developed. OF course. future
steps depend on Mexico City.
Senator Lodge said he was in accord
with what the president had done
and expressed the view that the de-
!, mand for the salute and the dispatch
| of the feet was in accord with pre-
| cedent. He said he supported the
presidents action and hoped serious
steps might not be necessary. Sem
| ator Shively said congressional action
| would be based upon message from
President Wilson.
/ May He Message.
| ''Will there be a message from the
president?" he was asked. 1T coe-
| tainly will come to that If reparatiom
/, does not come from the Huerta gov