The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-04-17
FLEET MAY SEIZE
MEXICAN PORTS
President Hopeful, However, That
HuertO VIII Yield-Matter
UP to Congress.

Will Seek Approval of the Legislative
Branch Before Ordering the Actual
Commencement of Hostilities-con-
gressionaI Committees Told of In
suits on Mexico's Part and the
Plans of the President.
Washington, April 16.-An impor-
tant development in the Mexican sit.
uation came when President Wilson
went into conference at the White
House with the ranking members of
the senate committee on foreign re-
lations and the house committee on
foreign affairs. At these conferences
were Senator Shiveley,. acting chair
man of the senate committee, and
Senator Lodge, ranking Republican
on the committee; Chairman Flood
of the corresponding house commit.
tee, and Representative Cooper of
Wisconsin, ranking Republican.
hO piGSlu6lL lOOh lhGoG men COul'
pletely into his confidenoO as to the
events which led up to the Sending OF
the feet to the gulf and tIe PURPOSES
of the administration so far as these
are formulated. The president first
disclosed that it was not the Tampico
incident alone that precipitated this
governments warlike move, but that
other insults of a studied character
had been inflicted upon the United
States.
Puts It Up to Congress.
The president informed the COM
mittee of his intention to seek tk=
approval Of congress before ordering
the actual commencement of hostili-
ties, If this becomes necessary. He
told his callers that he did not con-
template making final step until
Admiral Badger has arrived off Tam
pico, which will be early next week
If by that time Huerta has failed to
yield to this governments demand
that he salute the American flag, ths
president will deliver an address to
congress calling on the legislative
branch for authorization to utilize
the feet to force reparation from the
Mexican government.
The members of the congressional
committees expressed their cordial
approval Of the presidents decision
to let congress share the responsible
ity for what might be an act of war.
The president let it be known that the
only contingency of warlike meas
ures might be taken without consult
ing congress would be the commit
ting of some overt act on the part OF
Mexico that would demand imme
diate action.
May Seize Ports.
The president disclosed that he has
not fully made up his mind on the
details Of the plan to be followed If
the salute to the American colors Is
finally refused at the expiration of
week. Probably the first step would
be the blockade of Tampico and Vera
Cruz and the seizure of the ports.
These ports may be taken without an
actual engagement, and in that event
their occupation probably would be
accompanied by a declaration that
the American forces would withdraw
as soon as reparation is made for the
insult.
The president discussed in detail
three insults which have resulted in
his determination to compel the gov
ernment Of Mexico to salute the stars |
and stripes in apology. These were |
the arrest Of bluejackets at Tampico, |
the arrest of mail orderly at Vera |
Cruz and the holding up of an official |
dispatch to Charge O'Shaughnessy at |
Mexico City.
The president told his visitors that |
he was informed that the representa-
tions made by Huerta with regard to
the arrest at Tampico were false in
many respects. He said the American
bluejackets landed at point repre-
scented by Mexcans to be prohibited
territory" Some of them disembarlt-
ed from the Dolphins whaleboat to
buy provisions, while others remain
ed in the boat. Those who went
ashore were arrested, but later Mexi-
can soldiers took into custody those
who remained in the boat, which at
the time was flying the national col
ors. On the way to the jail the ar
rested party was met by another
Mexican officer, superior to the one
who had taken the blueJackets inCU
custody. The superior officer ordered
the release Of the party,
President Hopeful.
The president said that Admiral
Mayo Immediately demanded an apol-
ogy, the punishment Of the officer
who made the arrest and salute OF
21 guns to the American flag. The
apology has been extended. The Of