Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-23
STORY OF ORDER,
SEIZE VERA CRUZ
Wilson, Reused From Sleep in
Early Morning, Issues Com
mand Promptly.
TOLD OF ARMS ARRIVING
Port Taken to Prevent Huerta Re
eeiVins Great Cargo Of War
Munitions From Germany.

Washington. d. c. April 23.-The
story OF how President Wilson ordered
the customs house at Vera Cruz TO
be seized was revealed here today
The president had gone TO bed Mon
day night after having read his mes
SAGE 10 congress The senate was
debating the joint resolution TO ap-
prove the use OF the army and navy.
and the president had determined to
withhold action until the resolution
passed. although feeling that IN an
emergency the executive had ample
authority to act
At 4 O'Clock Tuesday morning Sec
Rotary Bryan received cablegram
from Consul Canada telling OF the ap-
proach OF a German vessel with ire
mendous cargo OF ammunition for
Huerta. A number OF locomotives and
many cars were in readiness to rush
the arms to Mexico City
Mr.. Bryan teiephOned Secretary
Tumulty. who decided TO awaken the
president. He teIephOned the White
house. The servants we're timid, but
SIR. Tumulty insisted
Wilson Gives Order Promptly.
Finally the president came TO the
telephone and while Secretary Tumul
" was explaining the situation SEQ
Rotary Daniels called up and was put
on the same line He. too had a dis
patch about the ammunition Rear Ad-
miral Fletcher had sent a wireless
that I5.OOO.OOO rounds OF ammunition
and ESQ machine guns would be land
ed from the German vessel by noon
that day. The president listened in
silence.
What shall We do?" asked Score
tary Daniels
TELL Fletcher 10 seize the customs
house" replied the president without
hesitation.
Good night" said the secretary.
and the telephone conference ended.
In a few minutes the wireless dis
patches were on their way 10 Rear
Admiral Fletcher. He received the
message at 10 a. m, and an hour later
American marines had landed and
taken possession Of the customs
house. The ammunition will go back
TO its shippers in Germany.
Message Of Sorrow.
Washington. d. c.. April 23.-Let-
ters expressing the profound sorrow
of President Wilson and Secretary
Daniels at the death OF tie sailors and
marines at Vera Cruz Tuesday we're
dispatched today by the secretary of
he navy 70 the parents OF the men.
The letters were addressed to VIII {
lam Poinsett of Philadelphia; Mrs.
-ouis NIackay Of Brooklyn, mother of
Schumacher; Mayer Martin
Il Chicago and Michael Haggerty of
cambridge. Mass.
Mr.. Daniels wrote to each:
dispatches from Vera Cruz con-
-eying the distressing news that your
on was in the first line TO give up his
ife for his country saddens all Amer
ca as the tragedy brings gloom into
our home.
Quotes LincoIn's Tribute.
my feeling and the feeling OF the
resident to you in this sad hour has I
expressed by President Lincoln. when Q
n November y. 1864. he wrote TO @
iTs. Bixby OF Boston, whose five sons a
ave their lives fighting under the Z
.merican flag: +
. I feel how weak and Ruthless must ii
e any words OF mine which should Il
tempt 10 bcguile you from loss v
, overwhelming. But ] cannot re- b
ain from rendering to you the con- Fl
5lotion that may be found in the b
ranks Of the republic they died TO b
we ] pray that our Heavenly faith S,
r may assuage the anguish OF your n
and leave you only the p