The Sentinel=record., 1914-04-21

f leo, were called into conference. Americans are being urged to with draw from Mexico, merchant ships are being chartered to take them away, and while the president him. | self deprecates the war spirit with which the national capitol is sur charged high government officials do not deny that most elaborate precau- tions are being taken for any eyentu- ality.
 Clerks and secretaries in the state, war and navy building are being kept on duty 24 hours and everything is on a war basis. Social arrangements are being cancelled by government officials; members of congress are 1esitant to leave Washington during the crisis
 Newspaper extras and crowds watching the bulletins in front of the newspaper offices and scenes of ami nation at the White House and state, war and navy building indicated to some extent the excitement that has spread through Washington.
 The president in a statement to the Washington correspondents said he had no enthusiasm for war, that he hoped to avert it. but that he was taking forceful steps now to stop those indignties which might cad to armed conflict He drew a distinction between the Huerta faction and the great body of Mexican people wlo had refused to recognize General Iuerta as their president
 The president, in deprecating that war spirit that had arisen, said
 Tn no conceivable circumstances will we fight the people. of Mexico"
 Measures short of war are planned by the president, such as the seizure of customs houses, the occu- patton of coast towns, the taking of Mexican Warships and a blockade of MeNico's commerce with the United States.
 When the president laid the situa ton before the cabinet in a tw1-hour session, Counsellor Lansing of the state department sat at the table tell ing in detail of the precedent upon which the administration action itI now has been decided will he based.
 It happened in 1854, when the cap tain of an American war vessel was ordered by President Pierce to Blue. fields Nicaragua, to secure repara- tion for insults to the American min ister. The town was held by rebels who had not been recognized by the United States It,Was bombarded by the American ship three times cad finally the American officer went ashore with his men and burned u e town No lives were lost.
 Ni Wilson realizes that any action WI lch the United States might take might be construed by Huerta as a military operation sufficient to po- yoke war but in everything sIi O.. day he emphasized that it was not the powerful nation such as the United States to declare war on al weak ueighhor, especially on a small portion of a country already torn by civil strife.
 The presidents message Indicated clearly that should war result tLe United States would not seek 10 add to its territorial confines, and that it's only purpose would be the restoration in Mexico of law and orde"
 The de livery of the message givInS to congress a detailed account of the arrest of the American blueiackets at Tampico and Huertas refusal to ac- cede to Rear Admiral Mayos de- mand for a salute was the incident of most absorbing interest of the day. Great crowds swarmed the capitol grounds and the house chamber. In feyerish excitement people waited for Tours to hear the message read The president was calm and smiled his acknowledgment to the demonstraa- | tion of cheers with which he was greeted. He read in solemn tones, slowly emphasizing the sentences to which he attached great importance
 As the president left the house chamber he chatted with house and
 senate leaders about the steps he had
 in mind He did not think it neces-
 sary as yet to ask for an appropria' ton but already such a measure had
 been introduced in the senate.
 Secretary Bryan stayed at the capi'
 fol to discuss with members of the