Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-16

continued from Page One9
necessary to act vigorously in any
emergency. Congress would back up
the American navy without hesitation.
After orders had been issued today
for naval demonstration on the Pa
cific coast of Mexico as we'll as on the
Atlantic, Gen. Huerta was advised
that the most powerful fighting force
the American government has ever as
sembled on sea, carrying thousands
of marines and bluejackets, is headed
for the seaport towns of the Southern
republic ready to enforce to the ex-
treme the American policy.
Huerta's Next Move
Upon Gen Hnerta depends the next
developments. He has almost a week in
which to decide the question, for the
w2rships will not reach Mexican wa
ters for several days.
In the meantime, all foreign govern
ments have been notified by the Unit
ed States of its attitude toward the
Tampico incident and of the Dispatch
Of the fleets to Mexican waters. This
notification is in line with the previ-
ously announced policy of keeping for
eign nations advised of all steps TAX
en- by the American government in the
Mexican situation. The position of the
administration as it was explained to
members of the Senate and House
committees on foreign affairs by the
President and as it was substantially
reviewed iE the note sent to all foreign
governments, Is described in a state
ment given out during the day which
was prepared by high administration
officials.
More information describing the ar
rest of the American bluejackets at
Tampico was revealed in the days
conferences. 1t was learned authora-
lively that party of bluejackets from
the Dolphin went ashore with Assist
ant Paymaster Copp to get gasolene.
All but two landed to get the supplies,
and while they were gone a Mexican
officer arrived. He claimed the party
should not have landed where 1t did,
and ordered the two bluejackets from
the whale boat which flew the Amer
lean flag. They were unarmed and
accompanied him voluntarily.
The other members Of the party were
arrested while on shore. All were pa
raded to the prison but were inter-
cepted by another Mexican officer who
marched them back to the dock, COM
municated with his superiors and re-
leased them The ordering of the blue
jackets from the boat which was fly
ing the Stars and Stripes, considered
technically American soil, was re-
garded by Rear Admiral Mayo as re-
quiring an apology, the punishment
of the Mexican officer and salute of
q guns to the colors.
The first two demands were COM
piled with, but the local Federal au-
thorities asked for an extension of
time during which they consulted the
Huerta government at Mexico City.
In the meantime Rear Admiral Mayo
notified Washington of his course and
received the approval of the govern
ment.
General Huerta himself never agreed
to any salute, but one of his under
secretaries did make inquiry of the
American embassy whether a small
salute to the Dolphin would be accept
able. This was rejected. The time lin
it for the firing of the salute was ex-
tended indefinitely.
The President told those who con-
ferred with him today that there had
been no notification to the fleet of any
prohibition against landing where the
bluejackets locked and while placing
most emphasis on the Tampico Incl
dent he reviewed offences such as the
arrest of an American orderly carry
ing mail at Vera Cruz, the attempt
to exercise censorship and delay Of
official messages and other episodes de-
signed to show a studied attempt on
the part Of the Huerta government to
offend the United States.