Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-20
HuERTA REFUSES TO SALUTE


Continued from Page One)
salute. This was construed by Off
Gals as a willy move on Huerta's part
to obtain an assurance direct from
the American government which would
be capable of being construed by him
as recognition of the defacto Mex
lean government.
Officials Determined
There was no disposition on the part
of the officials here to give any as
surances or to prolong the discussion
as to details. They were determined,
after consulting with President Will
son, to hold to the one concrete ques-
ton of Huertas yielding to the Amer
lean demand as it'll ad been submit
ted.
The reply to Huerta made clear to
him that a Yes" or NO to the
American demand was all that re-
manned for him, and that nothing that
was to be done would bear the con-
struction of a recognition of the Huer-
ia regime.
In the meantime, tentative plans
were being made for the procedure
which tomorrow may place the tuii
naval and military establishment III
the hands of the President for decisive
measures against the de facto govern
ment in Mexico.
Thes cope of the authority to be
conferred upon the President and the
means to be placed in his hands for
exercising that authority will depend
upon the Presidents desires. When
the President returns to washington
early tomorrow morning these desires
will undoubtedly be submitted to lead
ers of the House and Senate before the
two legislative bodies meet at noon.
Then the Presiden. probably will go to
the capitol to read special message
to Congress.
Resolutions to Come
Unless the Huerta government re-
cedes and accepts the Presidents
terms tonight, Majority Leader Under
wood will undoubtedly offer a JOINT
resolution in the House when 1t meets
at noon, providing for joint session
of Congress within an hour. Ihe
Joint session will hear what the Pres
ident has to advise on the Mexican
situation and probably before the
President returns to the White House
a resolution will be offered in each
house in separate session. The chair
man of the foreign affairs and for
eign relations committee will offer the
resolutions which will Immediately be
referred to the respective committees.
Hurried sessions of the committee Will
report the resolutions and before adj
iournment they probably will be pass
ed and laid before the President.
Await Presidents Wishes
The form of substance of the reso-
luton to be presented in the event of
a movement against Huerta, however,
will depend largely upon President
Wilson's wishes. He is expected to
ask at least for power to order a
blockade of Mexican ports.
Recalls Spanish War Scenes
Scenes about the state and navy de-
partments during the day were reminis7
cent of the days Immediately preceding
the Spanish-American War. The tele-
graph rooms were fully manned and owe
in the naval annex building the general
board was in secret session a great part
of the day. Headed by Admiral Dewey
there were gathered along the long table
Rear Admirals Switzerland and Fiske
and Capt. Winterhalter, the aide for ma
terial, Knapp, Hood, Shumaker and OH
yer. director of naval intelligence. and
Commander Campbell, secretary of the
board. The board was engaged in going
over the latest dispatches received by
wireless from Rear Admiral Badger on
the Arkansas, now in the Florida straits,
Rear Admiral Fletcher at Vera Cruz and
Rear Admiral Mayo at Tampico.
Our Readiness for War
Never was there a more vivid illustra-
ton of the march of scientific invention
as applied to warfare than the facllty
with which these ranking admirals and
captains. engaged in plotting out the
strategy of a possible war, were able TO
keep in touch with the developments at
every point where an American warship
is lying.
Sen. Shively with Conferees
Senator Shively, acting chairman OF
the Senate foreign relations coiiiiil
tee. Joined the conferees at the Whlte
House.
IT'S all over" said the senator. 1
can have nothing more to say until
after I have conferred with the lead
ers"
Messengers were sent for Senators
Kern and Gallinger, the Democratic
and Republican leaders in the senate,
and Representatives Underwood and
Mann. the House leaders, who are to
arrange for the joint sessions of Con-
gress to be addressed by the Presi-
dent.
Representative Raker, one of many
members of Congress waiting at the
White House offices for news, said
President Wilson's action in this crisis
would CLARITY the whole situation
1T will show Mexico and the world
generally that the United States
means business he added, land will