The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-21
Prepared for Action.

rICPdFcQ TOT ACTION.
While congress deliberated and Ma
jority Leader Underwood urged
prompt action so that IL American
forces were fred on they would be
free 10 act, the executive branch OF
the government issued orders TO the
army and navy with systematic regu-
larity. The army was cautioned to
be on the alert and active prepRrh-
tions to use the militia as volunteer
forces in case of further emergency
were begun. The warships OF Tie
navy were ordered to concentrate on
TampicO and Vera Cruz as their FIRST
objective. Plans were made to seize
these ports. American merchant YES
sells were ordered out of Mexican har-
bors and there was n long session OF
the joint board of the army and navy.
participated In by Admiral Dewey.
Major General Wood and Major Cen
eraI WotherspoOn. after which IL was
announced that the army and navy
were prepared for instant action.
Tonight the president conferred at
the White House with the secretaries
OF state. war and navy about the sue.
cesSive steps 20 be taken TO force
reparation from Huerta Major Cen
eral Wood. chief OF staff Of the army:
Rear Admiral Victor Blue. chief OF
the navy bureau OF NAVIGATION. Rear
N
operations. and John Lind. the gresl-I
dents personal representative I'm Mpx-
leo, were called into the conference.
Americans are being earnestly 70
quested and urged TO Withdraw from
Mexico, merchant ships were beinvI
chartered TO take them away. and
while the president himself depra-
Gates the war spirit" with which the
national capital IS surcharged. hiehI
government officials do not deny that
most elaborate precautions are being
taken for any evcntuality. Clerks
and secretaries in the state. war ana
navy building are being kept on duty
- hours, and everything Is on a 'vIsr
basis. Social engagements are -
ing cancelled BY government officials.
members OF congress are hositant 10
leave Washington while the crisis is
on.
Excitement IN Washington.
Newspaper extras and crowds
watching tho bulletins in front OF
newspaper Offices. and scenes of ant
nation at the White House and state.
war and navy building indicated to
some extent the excitement that has
spread through Washington.
The president I'm statement Nv
me Washington correspondents said
be had no enthusiasm for war. that
he hoped 70 avert lt. but that he was
taking fOrccful steps now 10 uton
those indignities which might lead 10
armed conflict He drew a dlstinc.
ton between the Huerta faction AMI
ne groet body OF Mexican people
who had refused 20 recognize Cen.
eral Huert7 aa their president.
The president en- deprecatinr tho
var spirit that had arisen. said "In
no conceivable circumstance will u.o
hght The people ~ Mexico"
Measures "FnOrt o. war arc
planned BY the president. such ne the
seizure OF customs houses. tho or-
cupation of coast towns the taking
of Mexican warGhins and O. blockade
of MeNico'e commerce with tho
United States
Told % Precederts
When the president laid tho pifus.
tion before the cabinet On n two hour
session, Counsellor Lansing of tho
state department sat nt fhn f4bfr /
telling IN detail % the precedent /
upon which the administration ac.