Evening journal., 1914-04-24
BY JOHN z. NEvIN.

staff Correspondent Of the United Press
WASHINGTON, April 24.-"Mexico
City next" was the slogan today Of the
Army and Navy. Heads Of both branches
of the service realize that there is now
no chance OF peace. They are expect
ing momentarily a formal declaration Of
war from Huerta. They are ready for
such action.
Suggestions having the approval OF
the President and Secretary Bryan that
the United States win remain quiet at
Vera Cruz for time are disapproved by
the men who know the actual situa.
tion. They assert that unless this ma
tion acts promptly and rushes an cx-
pedition to Mexico City our forces at
Vera Cruz viii be decimated by disease
and constantly exposed TO attack from
the land. IL is certain that the Presi-
dent and his premier will be soon con-
WINGED that energetic action alone will
prevent a long drawn out war. The
general staff of the army and navy has
told the President, through Secretaries
Daniels and Garrison, that II the Mexi-
can capital Is seized and the railroad be-
tween Vera Cruz and the capital guard
cd, this country can dictate its terms
l y
But If action is not Immediate the
President has been told that Huerta
win be able to gather to his support
Zapata and his brigands and a large per-
centage of Carranza and Villas men
who viii desert these chiefs If they do
not agree 10 fight the United States.
Then the task of taking the capital will
be a very serious one.
q L. 4 n
thrashed out today by the President IN
conferences with his cabinet officials.
If Huerta formally declares war, the
action of the United States will be ma
terially simplihed. There will be no
further hesitancy but all available
Troops viii be hurried TO Vera Cruz and
to the selected concentration camps on
the border.
War Spirit Rampant In Congress.
The war spirit was rampant in Con-
'gress today as a result Of the news
the fighting at Vera Cruz. The loss Of
men there is reflected on the faces
the national legislators and they would
welcome the word from the President
formally TO authorize substituting a
war policy for "reprisals on Huerta."
The President and his advisors, while
publicly paying attention only TO Huer-
Ia are secretly keeping the strictest OF
watches on the headquarters of the Con
etitutionalists. While the professions
of Villa of friendship are accepted at
their face value, the War Department
rs taking no chances. The troops order
ed from the Preside are TO be followed
by others from the north. II is certain
that BY Sunday, the entire army will
be headed south
Few officials here believed that the
Constitutionalists will remain neutral
Even though Villa and Carranza should
desire 10 do 80 il is not believed they
could keep more than a small percent
age Of their men loyal to them when
word comes OF an American advance
from Vera Cruz. Because OF the knowl-
edge of this fact, the administration is
turning the army south. The war de-
partment has been deluged with tele-
lgrams from leading Texans demanding
that real army be concentrated at the
border for protection. Senator Sheppard
is likewise being importuned to force the
administration to send troops.
There seemed today to be a general
panicky feeling in Texas and more es-
pecially in III Paso, and it was because
of this that the Presidio troops were
called on. The President realizes that
if he does not send regulars, Governor
Colquitt can be depended on TO order his
National Guard to the border. This
would complicate matters, as Texans
generally and particularly Texas troops
entertain bitter enmity toward all Mex
leans.
Rumors of snti-American demonstra.
tions in Mexico City Immediately fol
lowing the leaving OF Charge O'Shaugh'
messy have reached the State Depart
ment. IL was reported that there were
NEARLY 1000 Americans who had not left
1.-The Mexican capital, some because theil
business held them there and other
because they refused TO obey O'Shaugh
nessy's suggestions and get out. Ii they
have been attacked since the charg
left, it is expected the Brazilian EN-
bassy will get official notification
through to Secretary of State Bryan.
Food Supply Low at Vera Cruz.
The situation at Vera Cruz was Civ
ling the Navy Department concern 20
day. Food supplies are running low
land every effort is being made to re
plenish the city. If necessary, the
navy viii issue rations to the inhabi
tants from the warships in the harbol
until supplies can be rushed from Gal
weston and New Orleans. Further fight
ing is looked for today when Admira
Fletcher sends regiment OF marines e