The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-15

of the de facto government in Mexico
in recognising in the fullest degree
the claims Of = great sovereign gov
eminent to its respect
WILSON UNBOsONls HIMSELF.
Let's Congresamen LIN ON the Existing
Mexican situation.
Warrington, April 15.-While the
Atlantic feet with its formidable force
OF marines and blue jackets was
headed for Tampic0 today to compel
salute to the American flag by the
Huerta government, President Wilson
took into his confidence on the situa-
ton the Republican and Democratic
ranking members OF the two congress
stonal committees in charge Of the
nations foreign affairs.
Mr.. Wilson sent for Senators Shtve-
" and Lodge and Representatives
Flood and Cooper and revealed to
them the incidents following the ar
rest of a detachment of American
blue jackets at Tamptco, the subse-
quent demand by Rear Admiral Mayo
Tor an apology in the form OF q So.
lutte to the ColoFB and the refusal or
the Huerta government to comply as
set forth in q note transmitted to
Charge O'ShaughneSsy.
Mr. Wilson expected his callers to
communicate to their colleagues in
the house and senate what he told
them 80 as to pave the way for any
step that might require the authors
zation OF congress.
The president was ready to inform
those who conferred with him of the
various precedents In the past under
which reparation had been delivered
by the United States and other ma
tons as q redress of wrongs. State
department officials had cited to the
president that reprisals often had
been sought in q peaceful blockade"
that is shutting or the ports of a ma
ton from commerce without open
hostility-the landing Of marines to
police property and even the Smelling
OF q town..
May Lead to War.
International lawyers are agreed
that any Of theNe steps might event.
ually lead to war and have always
pointed out in their treaties that re-
prisals and measures Of retaliation
have frequently led to such serious
entanglements. The president and
his cabinet advisers believe Huerta
will yield and that the situation will
not become acute.
however, about peaceful blockade, the
landing Of maIhes.Sa possible bonn
bardment. the seizure OF Mexican fed
eral gunbOatS and armed Intervention.
The general impression among off,
Gals here has been that armed inter-
vention would mean war and would
unite the cOntending forces in Mexico
toward a common enemy but over
night dispatches from Juarez fndi-
Gated that the Constitutionalists prob
ably would simply content themselves
with opposing any force that might
enter their territory and would not
take offensive action:
This nlan0a NJ the aa<,, alton
garded al Of much Importance in that
1t appeared to limit the issue solely
to the United States and tho Huerta
government 1t Ia known that the
naval demonstration which has been
ordered to concentrate at Tampico
was directed toward the Huerta adj
minfstration alone as no move has
been made by the American army
which lies in proximity along the in
ternatfonal border to the territory
controlled by the constitutionalists.
The Rebel Victory.
News Of the victory of the constitu-
ti0nalists at San Pedro where reports
from Juarex state a huge federal force
was vanQuished, added an Interesting
phase to the situation. It was re-
garded in some quarters as likely to
temper the attitude Of General Huerta
in his refusal to salute the American
nag and was considered Of paramount
Influence in pushing the constitution
alist march on Mexico City.
That the rebel victory and the
American demand for salute would
q crisis At Mexico City was
the confident belief of many officials
here. No time limit has been set dur
Ing which the salute must be fired but
General Huerta practically has only
until the arrival Of the American fleet
at Tampico, which will be in about
week, to obey the American demand.
Rear Admiral F1ske, aide for opera
tons in the navy department, who
went to Hampton Roads today to adj
wise Rear Admiral Badger, command
er-in-chief Of the Atlantic fleet Of the
intimate details Of the situation was
to have conveyed verbal in
structions. Rear Admiral Badger will
be allowed much discretion in carrying
out the wishes of the Washington gov
eminent.
Secretary Daniels denied that any
sealed orders had been sent Rear Ad-
miral Badger to deliver an ultfmatum
after which Tampico might be shelled.
Broad Latitude to Badger.
While the navy department. il silent
as to what Rear Admiral Badger will
be permitted to do 1t il understood
that If the emergency arises he will
have broad latitude to deal with the
situation as he sees fit.
Some Of the constituti0nalfsts are
hoping that the United States will
seize the federal gunboats now at
Tampico 80 that the c0nstitutiona1tsts
may resume their attack without being
hindered by the gunboats. 1t II quite
probable that such an act would be