The Washington times., 1914-04-15
CONGRESS EAGER TO
END WAITING" POLICY
Angered by 0utrages, Will De-
clare War If Huerta Fails to
Make Amends.


| ability authorize the use of armed
; force or declare war on Mexico if
| the Huerta government does not make
American flag at Tampico and does
not comply with the demand of the
Administration that the Mexican fed
erals salute the flag.
Almost no other conclusion can be
drawn from the series of events Of the
last twenty-four hours; from the tone
of the conference between President
Wilson and members of the Foreign
Relations and Foreign Affairs Com
mittees today. and from the disposi-
ton of Congress as revealed in the talk
of Senators and House members.
The Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee met today and discussed the
acquainted with the results of the con-
ference at the White House between
the President and Senators Snively and
Lodge and Congressmen Flood and
Cooper. No action on Mexico was
taken. but Senator Shively said later
mittee was squarely to sustain the
President.
Puts 1t Up To Congress.
President Wilson made it clear to
the members of Congress to whom he
talked that he does not intend to
take the responsibility for an overt act
which will be the equivalent of war.
He would communicate the facts to
Congress before ordering marines 20
land at Tampico or taking any similar
step.
If the flag were not saluted and the
President should so advise Congress.
it would then be put up to Congress
to decide what to do. And the temper
.f 4. 20 Inot N
question as to what would be done.
Tired and more or less disguised with
the long and fruitless policy Of watch
full waiting" there is not much ques-
responsibility were thrown on It. 1t
could either declare war or authorize
the President to take such measures in
use of armed forcs as would mean war:
In the talk between the President and
Senators Shively and Lodge and Con-
gressmen Flood and Cooper today, it
was made plain that the Administration
is carefully preparing for the utmost
contingencies in Mexico, though hoping,
If not believing, that Huerta will finally
yield.
The Senators and House members in
the conference were made acquainted
with the outline of the plans of the
President in case Huerta fails to COM
ply with the Presidents request.
Flag Incident Not Alone.
IT has come to the ears of the men,
bers of the Foreign Relations Commit
tee Of the Senate and the Foreign AZ
fairs Committee of the House that the
flag incident at Tampico Is but one
of a series of offenses against this
Government, to say nothing of offepses
against American citizens.
For instance the fact that an orderly
from one of the ships at Vera Cruz
was recently seized while ashore with
the official mail bag on his back, and
put in Jail is looked on, as a grave
offense.
The further fact that official dis
patches of this Government have been
censored at Mexico City Is considefed- 4
even graver. .-#s-.. - Ss<:-s
things as these today, coming on top
of the long succession OF outrages to
Americans in Mexico, apparently were
impressed with the reeling that crisis
had been reached. 1t was pointed out
that II the flag incident at .TanIpico
stood out alone that would be one
thing, but that it did not and this
country had about reached the point
where further patience ceased. to be
a virtue, If it had not. in fact. been
made we'll nigh Impossible.
Hope For Peace.
The arrt action which will probably
be taken il there is resort to arms will
be TO seize the customs houses. This
opinion was expressed today by some OF
the Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee Acting Chairman Shiveiy, of the
kNoreign Relations Commit ee. views
this as a probable first step. II use or
arms proves necessary. Senator ShiVely
Is not warlike, hoWeve-. and he cX-
pressed the hope there would be
peaceful adjustment.
A prominent member of Congress IN
the confidence of the Administration said
that while appropriations for war are
not yet under discussion, the probable
first step would be to seize Tampico and
hold it. II that brought no satisfactory
results, then Vera Cruz would be seized
and held. Other ports would then be
seized. if necessary.
closures of the day-in fact, OF tn" en-
tire controversy owe. the TampIco In
cident--is that two OF the marines
seized were in the ships boat. with the
American Tag flying over them. This
is a phase of the matter not hereto
fore fully brought out. The others were
on Mexican soil. These two were on
what in law is American soil.
This act in itself. according to Sen
ator Lodge today, came close to being
an act of war.
Senator Lodge said that in the case
of Spain, Congress first authorized
President Mckinley to use force, ana
two DAYS later there was declaration
of war Spain regarded the authoriza-
ton given to President Mckinley as the
equivalent of declaring war.