The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-21
j, s. MARINES SEIZE
VERA CRUZ CUSTOM HOUSE

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national controversy before congress
he takes the last step that precedes
war;" continued Mr.. Lodge. "The
president 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 1t
took congress to pass the Spanish war
resolution.
Senator Lafollette replied that con-
gress took from April IL to April 19
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 Democrat
side.
Lodge Opens Debate.
Senator Lodge took up the pending
resolution This resolution uses the
word Justly instead of authorize I"
he said. "The result will be the same.
This resolution does not contemplate
dent in his message disclaimed any
hostility toward the Mexican people.
But this resolution carries with 1t
armed Intervention.
THE consequences of armed inter-
vention are in many respects precisely
tAS 6AAl0 dS WdIs ouI lACy PISSSiAI
a task less capable Of speedy
completion; involving vast expendi-
lures. great loss Of life. perhaps, and
after months, and possibly years, pos
sibly only the satisfaction Of feeling
that we had brought peace and order
and liberty to a distracted country
Reviewing the Tampico incident,
Senator Lodge continued: "There is
no doubt in my mind that that incl
dent at Tampico constituted an in
suit to the American flag and the
American uniform. No nation can
allow such an insult to pass unnoticed.
1t is its duty to seek proper atone
such atonement is universally recog-
nized. 1t is a salute to the flag of the
offended nation. But that salute Is
a governmental action. All party
lines disappear in the demand for
amends for such an insult and we all
stand behind the presidents demand
for atonement"
Cabinet Members Drop In.
The cabinet meeting broke up while
the senate debate was on and Secre-
tary Tumulty and some of the cab
met members hurried to the senate
chamber to hear the speeches.
Nothing new in the situation" was
the way Postmaster General Burleson
put 1t. Senator Lodge resented any
imputations that the Republicans
would be lacking in proper regard for
the honor of the fag.
But We must also think OF that
which the nag covers. the citizens OF
the United States,' he said. "One hun
dred and flfty American citizens have
perished on Mexican soil. I cannot in
demanding atonement Of the insult at
Tampico overlook these outrages. I
Cannot pass these murders silently by
without saying that. here is a greater
wrong, to be atoned and a wrong which
must not be and shall not be repeated.
II cannot be put in a position where
appear to pick and choose between
the factions that today tear Mexico
asunder.
II cannot join in any resolution
which puts the United States in the
position Of preferring one murderer
and cutthroat above another murderer
and cutthroat.
IT have no desire to criticise Presi-
dent Wilson," said Senator Lodge. FOR
his failure to recognize General Huer-
ta- He no doubt proceeded on grounds
appearing to him as sufficient I con-
denim as strongly as I can the methods
of treachery and bloodshed by which
Huerta reached his present position.
Both Look Alike to Him.
But the fact that I condemn his
methods does not lead me to put my
self in a position which. by distortion
Of the acts which we take here, or Of
the words which we utter here. would
put me behind villa-Villa, who began
life as a hired assassin. and whose
pathway has been marked with blood
shed. rapine, plunder and by unnam-
able crimes, which are a disgrace to the
country in which we live.
TT is for that reason the minority
Of the committee on foreign relations
has presented the substitute Tor ths.
preamble of the resolution. Not one
sentence can be denied. Each IS mel
All :llOly truth
The senator added that the first act
under the resolution would be the tax !.
this r.ment.'' he declared. lowering
his voice emotionally, mot only in
dealing with a question involving the
gravest responsibility that can con-
front the congress but as not often
happens we are participating in a
great historic action. The grounds OF
our action here today will lie before
the world and will come to the tribunal
of history. If we are to intervene in
Mexico at any point I want to lit II
up from the level of personal hostilt-
ties and place it on the broad ground
Of great national action, taken in the
interest and for the protection or
American lives in foreign country
and for the purpose also OF restoring
peace and order If we can."
Shively Defends Wilson.
Senator Shively, acting chairman of
the committee, declared the pending
resolution was of paramount impor-
tance. The attempted parallel between
the present proceedings and the pro-
ceedings leading up to the declaration
of war in Spain is futile" he said. 1T
Is never too late to declare war, 1t may
easily become too late to secure peace.
This action was not a declaration of
war. This resolution Is good faith
effort to preserve peace" He said the
president had not asked congress for
authority, because he did not wish to
pursue q war. Mr.. Shively contended
the Lodge preamble would have no
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