Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-17
HuERTAs OFFER ACCEPTED
Continued from Page One)

lions of the Washington government
all had brought about grave inter-
national crisis. Congress showed its
readiness to stand by the administra-
ton, and the House committee on
foreign affairs passed a resolution up
holding the Presidents position.
While the President declared the
| firing of the salute would close the
| Tampico incident, it will have no par
ticular bearing on the general Mexican
policy of the administration. Other
offences, such as the arrest of mail
orderly at Vera Cruz, have been apol-
ognized for and the United States
will continue its position of neutrality.
Villa Commended
incidentally the President and Mr..
Bryan drew attention to official re-
ports which they had received prais-
ing General Villa and the Constitu-
| tionalists for their treatment OF pris-
oners and foreigners in the bloody
battle at Torreen. Not foreigner
was injured, according to official re-
ports from eye witnesses.
Agree on Return Salute
|
gress generally with approval and
members familiar with presidents
agreed that q return salute from
American guns could not be regarded
as recognition of the Huerta regime
4 or in any wise affect the dignity or
the United States. Senator Lodge,
ranking Republican member of the
foreign relations committee, who had
said early in the day that to return
the salute would nullify the effect OF
the apology, withdrew his criticism
after telephone conversation with
Secretary Bryan. The Massachusetts
senator was informed that naval offi-
GERS and those familiar with preee-
dents knew of no case where salute
was not returned and that, moreover,
| the statement that the salute would
| be returned was included in Rear Ad-
niral Mayo's original demand.
Mr. Lodge said he had been mis-
taken about it and expressed the hope
that the custom in such cases would
be made clear to the country.
When Senator Shivley, acting chair
| man of the foreign relations commit
tee, visited the White House he learn
| ed from Secretary Bryan of the pro-
posal from General Huerta to yield
to the American government.
The Indiana senator, who had care
fully studied all the possibilities in
the situation, was quick to agree that
the United States government could
not refrain from answering the Mexl-
can apology.
For several hours Senator Shively's
attention was engaged by his col
leagues who wanted assurance that a
return salute could not be considered
: as a signal of recognition of the HUI
erta government He fatty declared
that it could not be so regarded; that
the United States government had
been dealing unofficially with the HUI
erta regime as de facto government
and had never extended to it any Of
fetal recognition; that the ultimatum
had been served upon the de faeto
government because it was the only
semblanee of government from which
PREPARATION could be asked.
During executive session late today
Senators informally discussed the re-
ported Huerta position and 1t was
agreed that the United States should
not bubble over returning the salute
but some senators were inclined to the
view that the advance request from
Huerta for a return of the salute
should be ignored.
Demand the salute to the flag and
do as we please afterwards" was the
way one senator expressed his opinion
you may DE sure of one thing
said Senator Chiffon of West Vir-
ginia, that if return of the Mexican
salute by this government would
mean recognition of the Huerta gov
eminent, there would be no American
salute in answer to Mexico's apology
Another thing the country may be as
sured of, and that is that when Presl-
dent Wilson set himself firmly as he
has in this case, there will be no sur
render on his part"
Future Course of Administration
Discussing the probability of allow
ing some of the ships now en- route
to Mexican waters to proceed regard
less of the acceptance of Huerta's Of
fer many members of Congress eX-
pressed the opinion that the admins
I tration proposes to keep a firmer hand
on the situation in the future and tha'
further reasons for vigorous action
may develop at any time.
Inquiry as to the character of pres
sure which had been brought on Gen
Huerta brought out the fact that for
eign governments had an active inter
, est in the events of the last "a hours
Both the French and German ambas-
sailors after conferences at the state
department were in communication, II
} is understood with their representa-
| tives in Mexico City. Another phase
of the situation was a we'll authenu'
Gated report that the last instaimen'
of a loan due Huerta was about tf
be held up by foreign bankers If he
did not comply with the American de-
mands.
Charge Algara of the Mexican en-
bassy here was in close touch by ca
BILE with General Huerta, and every
avenue of influence exerted was in the
direction of convincing the Mexican
dictator that it was best to Yield
Messaoes fran O,Shauahnessv