The Sentinel=record., 1914-04-22
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t~%~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~%%~%~ believed the influence of the German government will be interposed to pre- vent the consiglmnt from landing elsewhere in Mexico and complicating the situation. The ship carries fifteen million rounds of ammunition and 200 rapid fire guns and a thousand rifles. The president conferred with the | secretaries of war, state and navy early tonight. No army orders were issued but Rear Admiral Badger was ordered to Tampico, where another customs house may be seized. The president intends to act slowly to force Huerta to yield and hopes to avert war With the taking of the railroad for a few miles inland from Vera Cruz and the two customs houses, it is believed no other aggres- sive steps will be taken.
 Many officials admit that offensive action by Huerta may draw the American forces into a conflict tanta- mount to war, All preparation pos. sible has been made by the army and navy but no orders have gone out to state militia, nor has the naval militia been called upon.
 Joint plans of the army and navy were worked over at the departments during the night and the wireless, the cable and the telegraph carried scores of government orders over land and sea, making preparations for all eventualities.
 The nationaL-eapital was thrilled with excitement Bulletins were eag'sT- ly read by thousands. as were the ire quent extra editions. In executive quarters clerks and officers of the army and navy were busily at work all night. Cabinet members were at their desks after midnight and the whole executive machinery of the gov ernment was adjusted to the Mexican crisis.
 The foreign ambassadors in Wash ngton were summoned during the day by Secretary Bryan and informed of developments, Ali declined to talk but it is understood they were given the same information transmitted abroad to American embassies and legations, being emphatically told that the American government would not attempt to confiscate goods in the customs house at Vera Cruz but merely would detain shipments, giv- ing the shippers an opportunity to recover their property. There will be no attempt to interfere with the for eign vessels but it is believed the American fleet will keep close watch on ships which might be carry ing arms to Mexican ports, seizing their cargoes after they are landed.
 While the army has received no orders to move, should it become ap- parent that there will be resistance to the holding of Vera Cruz, the four army transports at Galveston carry ing four or five thousand troops will be ordered under way.
 General Charles J. Bailey of the coast artillery will command the first detachment from Galveston when sent and will be followed by Major General Wood, in supreme command.
 His term as chief of staff expires tonight The movement of troops would bring into play the plans of the joint army and navy board. Ever since the war between the states there have been controversies over the rank of army and navy offers in joint operations A scheme has been worked out to prevent friction. Five thousand marines, more than half of the corps, will be assembled on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Mexico and take a prominent part in the American governments plans. Representative Butler of Pennsy,- vania, whose son is an officer of ma rines at Vera Cruz, was at the navy department seeking information about the killed and wounded. There were tears in his eyes as he left. He said | he had heard the marines probably would march on Mexico City.
 Secretary Bryan tonight as a pre- caution had extra police sent to guard the Mexican embassy here. There were no signs of disturbance but it was thought best to take the preeaution.
 The house recessed until 10 o'clock in the morning to await the senates action.
 Meagre reports of the engagement at Vera Cruz had filtered to the capi- ! coNTINuEp ON PACE EIGHT.