Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-22

miral Fletcher to seize the Vera Cruz
customs house, and prevent Huerta
from getting several million rounds of
ammunition and 200 field guns on a
German steamer bound for that port
Huerta's Advantage
The orders went out from Washing
ton early today when it became appar-
ent that the delay in Congress was ac-
cruing to the advantage of Huerta-
At noon the cabinet was in session
and so far as was known no word had
been received from Admiral Fletcher
of his action. The orders, officials said,
left to the admirals discretion when
ard how to act. AS there is no block
ade. the American forces could not
interfere with the German steamers.
The orders were to seize the guns and
shells after they had landed or TO
seize the customs house to prevent
their landing and thus keep them from
going to Mexico City. Officials declar-
ed that President Wilson had ample
authority for his action without the
approval of Congress.
Branches Reconvene
Meanwhile both House and Senate
reconvened and the Senate went TO
work on the resolution of approval or
the Presidents course.
The orders went out to Admiral
Fletcher at daybreak, after President
Wilson and cabinet officials had been
in conference since A. M, mostly
over the telephone wires.
The orders to the admiral it was
said. conferred the broadcast authority
upon him and directed that if neces-
sary he take the town of Vera Cruz
as we'll as the customs house, to pre-
vent the landing of munitions.
Ways Open to Admiral
officials here said the admiral might
act in several ways. He might walt
until the German steamer had landed
her cargo unmolested and then take
the customs house and the munitions,
OF. when the German steamer comes
to the port he might seize the GUS
toms house. and il the guns were land
ed they would come into possession
of the American forces. That the
steamer might take her cargo to some
other port was a possibility of which
officials were cognizant. Some report
from the admiral was being awaited
rromentarily. When news reached the
capital that the order had gone to Ad-
miral Fletcher it aroused consider
able enthusiasm among senators and
representatives.
Democratic Senate leaders believed
an order to the American commander
to begin actual operations would serve
to hurry action on the resolution to
Resolutions Supported
Republican leaders were planning to
champion the substitute submitted by
Senator Lodge which refers to the
long ceries of outrages against Amer
leans in Mexico. This was not accept
ed, however, by Democrats. Neither
will 1t be accepted by House leaders,
it was said.
The House resolution as amended
by the foreign relations committee
was laid before the Senate soon after
it met at noon. A new resolution TO
accept the apologies already offered
by Huerta as Sufficient reparation,
for the Tampico incident was intro
duced by Senator Works, Republican.
Secretary Daniels left the cabinet
meeting at 1920 o'clock. He was ask
ed about the orders to Admiral Fietch-
er.
TT would be very unwise for me to
say anything at this time was the
reply.
Lodge Opens Debate
Senator Lodge opened the debate.
In a situation Of high seriousness
such as now confronts Congress, 1t is
we'll to remember the responsibility OF
the Senate" he began. "The power to
declare war rests under the consti-