El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-04-21
% seize 2OO FieId Guna.

To Seize 200 Field Guns.
PRESIDENT Wilson ordered rear ad-
nllral FLETCHER to seize Veracruz Gus
tom mouse IN order to prevent Huerta
from getting several million rounds
OF ammunition and 200 field guns on
port
The orders went out from Wash
lngton early today when it became
apparent that the delay in congress
was accruing to the advantage of
Huerta. At noon the cabinet was in
session, and, so far as was known, no
word had been received from ad-
mural Fletcher of his action. The or
mlraIS discretion when and how to
act As there is no blockade, the
american forces could not interfere
with the German steamer. The or
shells after they had landed or to
seize the custom house to prevent
their landing and thus keep them
from going to Mexico City.
Washington Busy Before Daylight.
Officials said that president Wilson
had ample authority for his move
ments without the approval of con-
gress.
The senate began work on the res
Olution of approval Of the presidents
course. The order went out to admiral
Fletcher at daybreak after president
" 4ASOA anu CGnlllCL OlLAEAd4S udu UEEu
IN conference since a. m. mostly
over the telephone. Most of the or
ders, it was said, conferred the
brOadest authority on him.
Officials here said the admiral might
act in several ways. He might wait
until the German steamer had landed
her cargo unmolesSed and then take
the custom house and the munitions,
or when the German steamer comes TO
the port he might seize the custom
house and if the guns were landed,
they would come into possession Of
the American forces. That the steam
e- might take her cargo to some other
port was possibility of which the
officials were cognlzant
Congress Feels Enthusiasm.
When news reached the capitol that
the order had gone to admiral Fletcher
it aroused considerable enthusiasm
among senators and representatives
Democratic senators believed an or
der to the American commander to
begin operations would serve to hurry
action on the resolution to back the
presidents course.
Republican leaders were preparing
to champion the substitute submitted
by senator Lodge, which refers to the
long session Of outrages to Americans
IN Mexico. This was not accepted by
the Democrats Neither will ii be &C
cepted by the house leaders, it was
Works Would Back Fire.
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 apollo
gies already offered by Huerta as
'7sufficient reparation'' for the Tampico
incident was introduced by senator
Works, Republican.
Secretary Daniels left the cabinet
meeting at 1912 o'clock. He was
- n o. rr1f OIL
Fletcher.
1T would be very unwise for me to
say anything at this time" was his
reply.
Senator Lodge opened the debate.
In a situation of nigh seriousness,
such as now confrOnts congress, it
is well to remember the responsibility
of the senate" he began. THE power
to declare war rests, under the cOnsti-
tuition, with the congress.
Eight Days to Pass War Resolution
when the president lays an inter
national controversy before the con
gress. he takes the last step which
precedes war declaration. The presi-
dent might have taken further steps
but he has come to the body which
alone has power to declare war.
think he has done well" Senator
Williams asked how long it took con-
gress 10 pass the Spanish war resO-
luton.
senator La tOl6lLe repueQ LnaL con-
gress took from April II to April I9
to pass the resolution in 1898.
Members of the house filed into the
senate chamber and crowded the rear
of the hall. Majority leader Under
wood took a seat on the Democratic
side.
Resolution Carries Armed Intervention
Senator Lodge took up the pending
resolution.
This resolution uses the word Jus
tify instead of authorize" he said
The result will be the same This
resolution does not contemplate the
declaration of war. The president in
his message disclaimed any hostility
toward the Mexican people But this
resolution carries with it armed inter-
vention.
The consequences Of armed inter
yention are in many respects precisely
the san'e as war. But they present a
tas SIX less capable of speedy compile
ton less fertile in speedy glory of
victories won and may bring a long
period of the exercise of what would
be the police in a foreign country,
involving vast expenses, great loss Of
life, perhaps, and after months and
possibly years, possibly only the sat-
isfaction of feeling that we had