The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-22

prccedents agreed that a,return salute
from American guns could not be re-
garded as recognition Of the Iiucrta
regime or in any way be beneath the
dignity of the United States.
Senator Lodge. ranking Republican
member of the foreign relations com
mittee. who said early in the day that
to return the salute would nulify the
effect of the apology. withdrew his
criticism after a telephone CONVERSE
ton with Secretary Bryan. The Mas
sachusetts senator was informed that
naval officers and those familiar with
precedents knew of no case where a
salute was not returned and that.
moreover. the statement that the sa-
lue would be returned was included
in Rear Admiral Mayo's original de-
mand.
Mr.. Lodge said he had been mis-
taken about it and expressed the hope
that the custom in such cases would
be clear 10 the country.
When Senator Shively, acting chair
man OF the foreign relations commit
tee. visited the White House, he
learned from Secretary Bryan Of the
proposal from Gen. Huerta to yield to
the American government. The In
diana senator, who had studied care
fully all the possibilities In the situa-
tion, was quick to agree that the
United States government could not
refrain from answering the Mexican
apologetic guns, and when questioned
sured them a return salute was in ac-
cordance with international customs.
For several hours Senator Shive-
ly's attention was engaged by his coll
leagues. who wanted assurances that
return salute could not be consid-
cred as u signal of recognition Of the
Huerta government. He declared that
IL could not be SO regarded; that the
United States government had been
dealing unofficially with the Huerta
regime as dc facto government and
had never extended it any official
rccognition; that the ultimatum had
been severed upon the dc facto govern
inent because 1t was the only sem
1 n yny.tnV ~s1t,
reparation for insults could be asked.
During an executive session late to-
day senators discussed the reported
Huerta position informally and it was
agreed that the United States should
not bubble over returning the aslute
but there were some senators in
clined to the view that the advance
request from Huerta for a return of
the salute should be ignored.
Demand the salute of the flag,
and do as VIC please afterwards" was
the way one senator expressed his
opinion.
You may be sure of one thing"
said Senator Chiffon of West Vir-
ginia. that il q return Of the Mex
lean salute by this government would
mean recognition Of the Huerta gov
crnmentt here will be no American
salute in answer TO MexicO's apology.
Another thing, the country may be as
sured OF and that Is that when Pres
id'nt Wilson sets himself firmly, as he
has in this case, there will be no sur
render on his part
Discussing the probability Of allow
ing some CT the ships, now en- route to
Mexican waters. to proceed regardless
of the acceptance OF Huerta's offer,
many members OF congress expressed
the opinion that the administration
proposes to keep a firmer hand on the
situation in the future and that fur
ther reasons for vigorous action may
develop at any time.
Inquiry as to the character OF pres
sure brought on Gen. Huerta brought
out the fact that foreign governments
hand an active intcrst in the acts of
the last "a hours. The French and
German ambassadors. after confer
ences at the state department, were
In communication. 1t is understood,
with their representatives in Mexico
City. Another phase of the situation
was well authenticated report that
the last installment of loan due
Huerta was about to be held up by
foreign bakers IL he did not comply
with American demands. Charge AL
CARA of the Mexican embassy here was
in close touch by cable with Gen.
Huerta. and every avenue Of influence
eXerted was in the direction OF con-
vincing the Mexican dictator that it
was best to yield.
Developments OF the day in rapid