The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-14
All Vessels of Atlantic Fleet at
Hampton Roads
Have Been Ordered to Proceed
to Tampico at Once.
MUST SALUTE AMERICAN FLAG
In Apology for Arrest of United
States Marines.
Huerta Has Forbidden His Sub.
Ordinates to Do So.
At MFETlNG 0F THE GARNET
At MEETING OF THE CABINET
1t Is Decided to Back Up Ad.
miral MayO's Demand.
Also to Make q Further Inves-
tigatiOn of the Facts.

U1k0t1UM Va t11O Il 0CGSo
Washington, April 14.-A general con-
centration Of the Atlantic fleet at Tam
pico was ordered today by Secretary
Daniels after a cabinet meeting In
which President Wilson laid before the
cabinet the necessity for backing up
the demand Of Rear Admiral Mayo that
the American flag be saluted by the
Huerta commander.
The cabinet had discussed the situa-
tion in a two hour meeting and the
general consensus Of opinion was that
the Washington government should IN
sist on a salute. After the meeting
there was a conspicuous silence on the
mart of all officers and Secretary Dan
,els hurried to the navy. department
where he prepared a memorandum OF
naval orders.
President Wilson conferred with
Secretary Tumulty and reports were
current that later in the day state
ment covering the American demand
for a salute would be made.
All of the ships of the Atlantic Meet:
at Hampton Roads, have been ordered
to Tampico. The transport Hancock
with 800 marines has been ordered from
New Orleans to Tampico at once.
The battleship South Carolina en-
route from San Domingo has been IN
tercepted by wireless and ordered 70
The gunboats Nashville at San Do
mingo and Tacoma at Boston also nave
been ordered to Tampico.
The torpedo fiotilla at Pensacola
Fla. has been notified to be ready
to ioin the battleships at Tampico on
short notice.
Situation Is Tense.
The tensity Of the situation Is em-
phasized by the caution with which
officials guard every statement relat-
ing to Admiral Mayo's demand for the
firing of the salute. 1t Is understood
that when the cabinet met today In
formation had been received that
Huerta persists in declining to accede
to the American admiraIs demand.
though 1t is also understood tnat mis-
decision is not irrevocable. but Is
couched in such language as to make
it appear that he is still open to con-
viction, IL he can be shown that Mext-
can honor will not be tarnished by
rendering the salute.
Naval officers are insistent that Ad-
miral Mayo should be fully sustained
in his original demand, with pos
sible allowance of sufficient time for
the Mexican foreign officers to fairly
consider the proposition.
Lind Would Insist.
Mr. Lind's own view was that the
salute should be insisted upon. The
president himself had made clear to
callers that the apology to the United
States must be give nfor the recent
and stripes must be salmted. Reports
from Vera Cruz, quoting General
Mas, the federal commander, as con-
tending that ample satisfaction had
been given in the verbal apology by
Huerta and that the salute was un-
necessary. were received with some
surprise here, but SO far as could be
learned. it had no effect on the de-
termination of President Wilson that
the salute should be fired.
All administration officials were re-
luctant to discuss the situation and it
was not known whether there had
been any official kilograms from
Charge O'Shaughnessy confirming
Huerta's reported refusal to order the
salute.
Mr.. Lind's Report.
Mr.. Lind gave the president and Sec
retary Bryan an intimate picture of
the military situation at Tampico. His
advice and counsel at this time were
considered Opportune by the admins
tration. for what had seemed a small
incident is now regarded by many Of
ficials here as possessing a grave as
pect.
After the conference Mr.. Lind went
back to the state department for con-
ferences with officials and Secretary
Bryan and the president went to the
cabinet meeting.
No one would discuss what took
place at the conference but 1t was
learned authoritatively that a thor
cugh investigation of the facts con-
nected with the arrest of the Ameri-
can marines at Tampico had been
called for before further action would
be taken by the United States. 1t is
understood that Huerta, while regret
ting that the marines should have
been arrested, has pointed out that
under interna tional law the Mexican
commander acted within his rights.
The Washington government Is seeking
10 learn whether the marines were
EARNED or whether they committed
| some overt act which might have
caused their arrest.
While official dispatches from Ad-
miral Mayo are meagre it is believed
Mr. Lind assured Mr.. Wilson and Sec
retary Bryan that the American ma
rines never went ashore armed and al
ways were careful in their demeanor
when they went to get supplies.
Prepared for an Ultimatum.
Officials said that while no ultima
tum had been issued to the Huerta
government the mobilization OF the
1leet at Tampico was intended to put