West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-04-23
BLOCKADE ORDER
MAY GO TODAY
Navy Department Awaits Action
by Congress
EVERYTHING IN READINESS

While Naval Plans Are Partly Known
Army Campaign Has Not Been Dis.
elosed-Vera Cruz Customs House
Will Be Seized and Il Is Hoped Big
Consignment Of Ammunition There
VIII Be Captured.
Washington, April 2l.-Everything
Is in readiness for speedy action as
soon as congress gives authority.
These were tho words used by See
retary OF the Navy Daniel who said
that Rear Admiral Badger. com.
mander OF the big fleet assembling off
tho Atlantic coast OF Mexico. would
receive orders To put into effect at
once the plNns already worked out.
Tho war" council held session
In tho presidents Offices in the White
House. Wilson met Secretary Garri-
son, Secretary OF the Navy Daniels,
Secretary OF State Bryan, Rear
Admiral Fisko. chief OF the bureau OF
operations, Rear Admiral Blue. chief
OF tho bureau of navigation; Major
General Wood, chief OF stan OF the
army, who will have supreme COM
mand OF the army operations: Captain
Mccoy, aid To General Wood; Major
Connors, member OF the general stan
of the army, and John Lind.
Tho three mombers of tho general
board OF the navy were present who
had with the aid OF the war college
worked out tho plan for naval cam.
paign against Mexico.
the preparation by army strategists OF
tho plan for the land campaign.
John Lind was called TO the confer
enco for his knowledge of the condi.
tions which will have TO be met I'm tho
joint preparations of the army and
navy.
Secretary Daniels said that Admiral
Badgers orders TO steam for Tampico
at liz knots an hour had not been
supplemented. He indicated. however.
that everything was in readiness for
speedy action today.
Mr.. Daniels denied report circu-
lated at the capital that Vera Cruz had
peen taken by the American ships of
that port without awaiting the pas.
sage OF the resolution by congress. No
such action had been authorized from
| Washington, he declared.
Admiral Badger is fully acquainted
! with the plans OF the government for
blockading and seizing the ports OF
vera Cruz and Tampico. lie learned
or these plans at his conference with
Admiral Fiske of the bureau OF oper.
ations at Hampton Roads.
Secretary Daniels indicated that
orders would go to Admiral Badger TO
divide the fleet into two squadrons,
one to proceed to Vera Cruz and the
other to Tampico. 1t is probable that
the fleet viii be evenly divided be-
tween the two ports.
Secretary Daniels announced that
at his direction Admirals Fletcher and
Mayo had warned all vessels OF tho
American merchant marine to with.
draw from these ports. This action.
Daniels said, was I'm accordance with
action taken by the state department
In warning all Americans TO leave
Mexico.
Information of this warning was
transmitted by the navy department
TO the secretary OF state and was I'm
turn sent 10 the foreign governments.
This action was the only notice
given to the powers of the intention
of the United States to blockade Tam
( pico and Vera Cruz. The warning TO
the American ships was not given at
any ports except the two named.
Secretary Daniels expressed the
opinion that no more American ships
VIII be needed for the operations than
/ have already been ordered TO Mexico.
The two new dreadnoughts, Texas and
New York, can steam for Mexico on
two days notice, the secretary said.
but he did not believe the necessity
VIII arise for ordering them out. II
is understood that the Virginia and
Nebraska viii be ordered from Bos-
ton tomorrow.
Secretary Daniels said no steps had
been taken TO secure the permission
OF congress for adding TO the enlist.
ments or the navy beyond $4,000,
which Is the present limitation.
IL was reported at the capitol that
tho administration planned to seize
the customs house at Vera Cruz some
time today I'm order 90 prevent the
'i'ibti'Hl 't AhtW'NtNNV IOuUNa OF am
munition due there from getting into
the hands Of the federal forces.
This ammunition was shipped by
Paris concern and reached Vera Cruz
Monday on q Hamburg American liner.
10 was impossible 10 prevent the
liner from docking because no block
ade had been declared upon the Mex.
ican coast so the reported plan TO
seize The customs house before the
actual commencement Of hosultles
was fixed upon.
Secretary OF War Garrison said no
definite steps had been taken on call
ing upon The military organizations
Of tho states 70 participate in hos.
TITLES against Mexico Tho secre-
tary added that General Mills. chief
OF tho division Of militia, had been
asked to inquire ss TO the time which
would be required 20 muster tho
militia hut that no other instruction
has been issued.
Mr.. Garrison refused 10 discuss any
detail OF the plan which has been
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