The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-04-21

on The situation, generally drew at
tention to official reports they had re-
ceived praisine Gen. Villa and the
constitutionalists for jneir treatment
of prisoners and foreigners in the
bloody bate at Torreon. No, a for
eigner was iajured, according to Off
cial reports from eye Witnesses.
Huerta's offer was received in con-
gress generally with approval and
members familiar with international
precedents agreed that return salute
from American guns could not be re-
garded as recognition Of tne Huerta
regime or in any way be beneath the
dignity Of the United States.
Senator Lodge, ranking republican
member of the foreign relations COM
mittee. who said early in the day that
to return the salute would nullify the
effect Of the apology, withdrew his
criticism after telephone conversa- !
ton with Secretary Bryan. The Mas ;
sachusetts senator was Informed that
naval officers and those familiar with
precedents know of no case where a
salute was not returned and that,
moreover the statement that the sa-
lu5e would be returned was included
in Rear Admiral Mayo's original de-
nfand.
Mr.. Lodge said he had been mis-
taken about il and expressed the hope
that the custom in such cases would
be clear to the country.
Must Acknowledge 1t.
When Senator Snively, acing chair
man of the foreign relations commit
tee, visited the White House, ne
learned from Secretary Bryan Of the
proposal from Gen Hueria to yield 10
the American government. The In
diana senator, who had studied care
fully all the possibilities in the situa-
ton, was quick to agree that the
United States government could not
refrain from answering the Mexican
apologize guns, and when questioned
by senators at the capitol later as
sured them a return salute was in ac-
cordance with international customs.
For several hours Senator Shive-
ly's attention was engaged by his col
leagues, who wanted assurances that
re:urn salute could not be consid-
cred as a signal of recognition OF the
Huerta government. He declared that
it could not be so regarded; that the
United States government had been
; dealing unoficially with the Huerta
regime as de facto government and
had never extended in any official
recognition; that the ultimatum had
been served upon the de facto govern
ment because it was the only SEM
blance Of government from which
reparation for insults could be asked
During an executive session late to-
day senators discussed the reported
Huerta position informally and it was
agreed that the United States should
no; quibble over returning the salute,
but there were some senators in
clined to the view that the advance
request from Huerta for a return Of
the salute should be ignored
Demand the salute of the flag,
and do as we please afterwards was
the way one senator expressed his
opinion.
Can Trust Wilson.
You may be sure of one thing"
said Senator Chiffon of West Vir-
ginia, that if return of the Mex
ican salute by this government would
mean recognition of the Huerta gov
eramen, there will be no American
salute in answer to Mexicos apology
Another thing the country may be as
sured of and that is that when Pres
dent Wilson sets himself firmly, as he
has in this case, there will be no sur
render on his part.
Discussing the probability of allow
ing some Of the ships, now en- route to
Mexican waters, to proceed regardless
OF the acceptance Of Huerta's offer,
many members of congress expressed
the opinion that the administration
proposes to keep a firmer nand on the
situation in the future and that fur
;her reasons for vigorous action may
develop al any time.
Inquiry as to the character Of pres
sire hrOuoht on Cen Huerta brought