The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-14

the United States in position to enforce
one. should the immediate develop
ments make 1t necessary. A statement
by Secretary Daniels follows:
Secretary of the Navy Daniels this
afternoon sent orders to Rear Admiral
Badger, commander in chief of the At
lantic fleet, to proceed at once with
Tampico. Admiral Badger Is at Hamp-
ton Roads. At the same time orders
were issued for the Hancock, now at
New Orleans, with 800 marines. to pro-
ceed at once to Tampico. Orders were
also issued to the South Carolina. en-
route from San Domingo, to join the
fleet at Hampton Roads, intercepting
her and ordering her to proceed to
Tampico.
Orders were also issued to the Ia
coma. now at Boston. to proceed to
Tampico. The torpedo fleet now at
Pensacola, was notified to stand by
for oders to proceed to Tampico."
Secretary Bryan had made all ar
rangements to leave tonight for
Miami, Fla, for a few days rest.
The developments of the Mexican sit
uation, however, forced a change in
his travelling reservations.
Mrs Bryan and some Of the family
will go.
At Tampico in a Week.
Washington. April 14.-Admiral Bad
ger has under his command at Hamp-
ton Roads the battleships Arkansas.
(dagship) Louisiana, New Jersey Mich
igan, Vermont and New Hampshire.
In addition to those ships, the bat
tleships Georgia, Virginia, Nebraska
and Rhode Island. now at Atlantic coast
navy yards In reserve. may be attached
to Admiral Badgers command. 1t Is
expected that Admiral Badger will be
able TO start his fleet some time tomor-
row, and that he will arrive at Tam
pico within a week.
While Admiral Badger himself and
some Of his ships are at --ampton
Roads, other ships Of the Atlantic fleet
are scattered among their home navy
yards at Philadelphia, Boston and New
York where they have just returned
from their spring target practice. 1t
will be the work of a day to get them
to sea.
White House officials said later that
there probably would be no comment
from the president. 1t was learned
that Charge O'Shaughnessy had re-
ported earlier in the day that the
Huerta government actually had
promised to fire a salute to the Dol
phin, but conditioned it on a salute of
response. The American government
1t is understood set forth through
O'Shaughnessy. that it wishes a public
salute to the colors without condi-
tionA
No time limit for the salute has
been fixed or Is it likely to be, it was
said on high authority. President VII
son and Secretary Bryan 1t was said
are not disposed to regard time as es-
sential, but are insistent that a public
salute must be fired.
Fleet of Twenty Ships.
The naval demonstration order today
is an outcome of the events of the last
eight months, particularly since the
contending forces in Mexico began to
disregard the rights of foreigners.
There was evidence that the president
was reluctant to use force in dealing
with the situation. but none the less
intended to demonstrate to Huerta
the earnestness Of the American policy.
When the concentration Of the fleet
is complete, Admiral Badger will have
under his command in Mexican waters
twenty odd big warships. Rear Ad-
miral Fletcher at Vera Cruz now has
(Cont'uued on Page Four.)