Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-04-15
BAT TTLESH|PS TURN
TOWARD TAMP|C0
IContinucd from First PagcJ

IContinucd from First PagcJ
the big fighters cleared from Hamp-
ton Roads and others in the Atlantic
navy yards were ready to sail before
night.
While the fighting ships Of the At
lantic fleet We're turning their prows
toward Tampico to-day to enforce
President Wilson's demand. Senators
and Representatives were summoned
to the White House to be informed OF
all phases of the situation that Con-
gress might be prepared for any
further steps.
First For Peace
President Wilson told the Congress
men that he stood first for peace, but
| that If Huerta did not comply with the
American demands, the first step 10
enforce them would be the seizure
of Tampico and Vera Cruz. for which
he considers there is ample precedent.
Acting Chairman Shively, of the
Senate Foreign Relations COMMITTEES;
Senator Lodge, the ranking Republican
OF that COMMITTEES; Chairman Flood, of
the House Foreign Affairs committee,
and Representative Cooper, the rank
ing Republican of that committee, had
an hours conference with the Presi-
! dent, at which Mr.. Wilson outlined all
the details of the now historic Tam
pico incident in which a Huerta COM
mander arrested American blue Jack
cts and refused to salute the stars and
stripes as an apology.
An Official statement, setting forth
the view of President Wilson and the
| administration disclosed that the
Tampico incident alone was not the
cause of the sending of the fleet and
the preparations to back up the de-
mand for an apology.
Mr.. Wilson impressed upon his call
ers that while he sincerely hoped no
occasion would arrive for the use of
force q contingency might follow as
the result of the American demand for
salute and he wished members Of
Congress to be prepared.
Congress i'm Authority
All four men who saw the Presi-
dent said no steps would be taken of a
serious nature, such as the landing of
marines or the shelling of q town
without authorization from Congress.
THE President gave us the history
of the Tampico incident" said Chair
man Flood, "and explained just what
had been done but future develop
ments depend entirely on the attitude
Huerta takes. Congress, l am sure,
will stand by the President
Senator Shively likewise described
the conference as chiefly informa-
tive.
There have been no oversight de-
velopments," he said, 'and there is
really nothing imminent as yet. We
all hope that General Huerta will yield
and remove a grave situation, but, If
he does not, we are prepared to back
up our President"
In Accord With Precedent
Senator Lodge said he was in accord
with what the President had done and
expressed the view that the demand
for the salute and the dispatch of the
| fleet was in accord with precedent.
Senator Shively said congressional
action would be based upon a mes
sage from President Wilson.
will there be a message from the
/ PRESIDENT" he was asked.
! 1T certainly will come to that if
I repatriation does not come from the
Huerta government for the contemptu-
GUS attitude it has taken" said he.
U. S. Is Not Blufiing
Senator Shively was emphatic in
declaring ridiculous any idea that the
| United States was "bluffing."
President Wilson, according to the
congressman who talked with him de-
clared he had given a reasonable time
to Huerta and that while the time
was without any fixed limit there
would be no quibbling and that
prompt action would follow Huertas
failure to comply.
Senator Shively added there were
many precedents for action in retalia-
tion which would not be considered as
actual measures of war, and that it
| was possible to seize the custom
houses of Mexico without u declara-
! ton of war.
There is no first class power in the
world from which the United States
would have withstood what it has pa
tiently Withstood from poor, ungovern-
/ ed. divided and embroiled Mexico.
Some other senator's expressed the
! opinion that Euerta had defied the
United States in the hope of arousing
support to his regime.
| The Senate foreign relations COM
mittee informally discussed the situa-
ton to-day but no action was taken,
general approval being expressed over
the new turn in the attitude of the