Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-04-21


Congress is debating the Mexican
situation President Wilson has
ordered Rear Admiral Fletcher to
seize the Vera Cruz customs house
and prevent Huerta from getting
several million rounds of ammunition
and two hundred field guns ON a Ger
man steamer bound for that port.
The orders went out from Washing
ton early today, when it became ap'
parent that the delay in Congress was
aecruing to the advantage of Huerta.
At noon the cabinet was in session,
and, so far as was known, no word
had been received from Admiral
Fletcher of his action, The orders,
officials said, left to the admiral's
discretion when and how to act. As
there is no blockade, the Amrican
forcs could not interfere with the
German steamer. The orders were to
seize the guns and shells after they
had landed or to seize the customs
house, to prevent their landing, and
thus keep them from going to Mexico
City.
Officials declared that President
Wilson had ample authority for his
action without the approval of Con-
gress.
Meanwhile both House and Senate
reeonVened and the Senate went To
work ON the resolution of approval of
the Presidents course.
Senate In Session at Noon.
The question of authorizing the use
of armed forces of the United states
by President Wilson ip the present
emergency in Mexico Hinges on the
action of the Senate, which wont into
session at noon today.
When the House foreign affairs
committee met Chairman Flood said
the House Democrats would not op-
pose the Mexican resolution in the
amended form adopted by the Senate
foreign relations committee,
At 1880 o'clock this morning the
Senate adjourned without taking any
action on the resolution. Bitter OPP
position in the Senate committee on
foreign relations made 1t apparent
that the resolution favored by the
President could not be report ted
faVorably.
Alter the administration had used
every effort to swing the committee
into line and had failed, q substitute
to the Senate at l2:10 this morning,
reading as follows:
Whereas. In view of the facts pre-
sented by the President of the United
States in his address delivered TO the
Congress at joint session ON the TWEEN
tieth day of April, 1914, with regard
TO certain affronts an dindignities
committed against the United States
in Mexico.
Resolved, That the President Is
justified in the employment of the
armed forces of the United States to
enforce his demand for nnequivocal
amends for affronts and indignities
committed against tho United States.
BE it further resolved, That the
United States dlsclaims any hostility
to the Mexican people or any purpose
to mako war upon them"
Lodge OGers Substitute.
Objection was made to the imme-
diate consideration Of this Resolution
by Senator Liypitt, of Rhode Island,
and The Senate finally consented to
adjourn until T. O'Clock noon.
Senator Lodge. of Massachusetts,
served notice. however, that the pre-
amble even Of the substitute resolu-
tion was not sufficiently broad to suit
him. and he offered the following for
preamble TO the substitute resolu-
ton:
THAT the state of unrestrained
violence and anarchy which exists in
Mexico, the number of unchecked and
unpunished murders of American
citizens and the spoiation of their
property In that country. the impos-
siblity of securing protection or re-
dress by diplomatic methods in the
absence Of lawful and effective au-
thority, the inability Of Mexico to dis
charge its international obligations.
the unprovoked indignities inflicted
upon the flag and the uniform of the
United States by the armed forces in
occupation of large parst of Mexican
territory have become intolerable
"That the self-respeet and dignit,
Of the United States and the duties
to protect its citizens and it's interna-
tonal rights require that such a
course be followed in Mexico by our
government as to compel respect and
observance of its rights.
Opposition Was Unexpected.
This unexpected opposition in Con
gress was a blow to the administra-
ton II has been accepted as evi
dence of lack of enthusiasm owe
the Presidents campaign agains5
Huerta as an individual The pres
ent embarrassing situation was beinp
contrasted here tonight with the
spontaneous and unanimous suppori
given to President Mckinley when he
called upon Congress TO act Just be-
fore the Spanish war.
The alteration of the resolution by
the Senate committee and the firm
oEp sltion in the upper House of Cor
Eress was caused chiefly by the Presi
dents attempt in the original resoIu-
tion to direct the mower of the Tn TED
States solely against Huerta as IN IT,
dividual, while calling upon him t.
perform an act which could only be
done by the government of Mexico.
Members of the Senate, including
many of the Democrats, insisted that
the reso' 'ution was too personal and
represented a step in the Presidents
campaign against the Mexican die
tator.
Some Republicans objected, too, to
the use of the word Justified be-
Cause sAss Soptended it would COM