Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1914-05-09
Delivers Special Message to
House and Senate On
Mexican Affairs.
ANNOUNCES REPRISAL PLANS
Wants Use of Army and Navy to In
still Proper Regard for United
States-Does Not Seek
Territorial Increase.

Washington.-In an atmosphere of
suppressed excitement rejecting
grave tension and patriotic fervor, the
president of the United States, in per-
son asked congress for approval of his
purpose to use the army and navy to
force General Huerta to apologize for
the indignities offered to the American
government.
1t was the first time since the war
with Spain that the president had
placed so grave as international crisis
before the national legislature.
Mr.. Wilson spoke in solemn tones.
When he entered the house chamber
the cheers and applause that greeted
him were wildly enthusiastic-an out
burst of the tension that has prevail
ed in the national capital for the last
twenty-four hours. AS he read his
message the applause came largely
from the Democratic side, many Re
publicans remaining conspicuously
silent. 1t presaged an opposition to
the presidents request which was not
long in making its appearance.
Approval Sought; Not Authority.
President Wilson pointed out that
under precedents he did not need the
ly sought their counsel, advice and ap-
prevail 'in a matter possibly OF SO
grave consequences"
The presidents message indicated
clearly that should war result the
United States would not seek to add
to its territorial confines and that its
only purpose would be the restoration
in Mexico of law and order.
The delivery of the message giving
to congress a detailed. account of the
arrest of the American bluejackets at
Tampico and Huertas refusal to ac-
cede to Rear Admiral Mayo's demand
for salute was the incident of most
absorbing interest of the day. Great
crowds swarmed the capitol grounds
and the house chamber. In feverish
excitement PEOPLE waited for hours to
hear the message read.
Wilson Was Calm.
The president was calm and smiled
his acknowledgment to the demon
stration of cheers with which he was
greeted. His strongly phrased express
sion of his determination to secure ap-
prevail for the use of armed forces in
such ways and to such al extent as
may be necessary to obtain from Cen
eral Huerta and his adherents the full
est recognition of the rights and dig
nifty of the United States, was re-
ceived with a burst of enthusiasm, but
again many Republicans were silent.
AS Mr. Wilson left the house cham
Der he chatted with house and senate
leaders about the steps he had in
mind. He did not think it necessary
as yet to ask for an appropriation, he
said, but already such a measure has
been introduced in the senate.
Asks Approval.
, The president concluded his address
in the following wards:
l therefore come to ask your ap-
prevail that l should use the armed
forces of the United States in such
ways and to such an extent as may
be necessary to obtain from General
Huerta and his adherents the fullest
recognition of the rights and dignity
of the United States, even amidst the
distressing conditions now unhappily
obtaining in Mexico.
The American Program.
According to best informed officials
these would consist of the following:
1. Seizure of the ports of Tampico
and Vera Cruz.
2. Seizure of the Mexico gunboats
in those waters.
5. Seizure of the railroad between
Vera Cruz and the Mexican capital, to
a point including a trestle twenty
miles west of Vera Cruz, to prevent
the route to the Mexican capital be-
ing blocked.
4. Probably a request for special
appropriation to carry out these
measures.