Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-18
Continued from Page One)


II do not need to tell you that TAX
ing men from a boat flying the United
States nag is hostile act not to be ex-
cused.
II have already received your ver-
bal message of regret that this event
has happened and your statement that
it was committed by an ignorant OFF,
Ger.
THE responsibility for hostile act
cannot be avoided by the plea of ig-
norance.
I'm view of the publicity of this oc-
currence. l must require that you send
by suitable members of your staff for
nal disavowal and apology for the act,
together with your assurance that the
officer responsible for 1t will receive
severe punishment. Also that you Will
publicly hoist the United States flag
in 9 prominent position and salute 1t
with q guns. The salute will be re-
turned by this ship.
Your answer to this communication
should reach me and the called-for sa-
Lutte be fred within "A hours from P.
M of this date
Modified Demand
Commenting on this, Secretary Dan
iels said that a few days ago Rear
Admiral Mayo himself modified his de-
mand somewhat saying he would not
insist on having the salute fired while
the American flag was hoisted on
Mexican territory and would be sat
isfied if the salute was to the flag lin
a conspicuous place" either on the
mast of the Dolphin or a Mexican
gunboat.
Navy Regulation Obstacle
There was much discussion in Off
cial circles, not only about the pro-
priety of returning Huerta's salute in
view of the peculiar diplomatic rela-
lions between the Mexican city admin
istration and the Washington gov
eminent, but because of navy reg
ulation, No. 1894, which reads:
mo salute shall be fired in honor
of any nation, or of any official of any
nation, not formally recognized by the
government of the United States
In explanation of this point, Rear
Admiral Fiske, aide for operations, af-
ter conferences with other aides at
the navy department, and Secretary
Daniels, issued the following state
ment:
This regulation Is interpreted as
prohibition against firing salute in
honor of any government which has
recently come into being, or in honor
of an official of any such government
if it has OF been formally recognized
by our government. Any such salute
would be considered a recognition of
that government, and in order to es-
cape from the consequences of such
apparent recognition, IL would become
necessary for our gogvernment form
ally to disavow it"
Salute to a Flag
Secretary Daniels, discussing the re-
turn of the salute, said he had con-
suited the general naval board, who
unanimously agreed that in all cases
where salutes have been given, they
must be returned. Mr.. Daniels spoke
of the fact that Mexican gunboats,
even though in the possession Of the
unrecognized Huerta government,
were saluted when they passed Amer
lean warships.
"It is not a salute to government
or an administration" said Secretary
Daniels, but to-the flag Of people"
The difficulties which arose of HUI
erta's request for a simultaneous sa-
lutte created a situation of uncertainty
throughout the day.
A number of officials considered that
Huerta had yielded the essential point
and was merely trying to adjust the
controversy SO that his dignity before
his people would not be lowered.
At Cabinet Meeting
At the cabinet meeting the situa-
ton was only briefly discussed, the
secretaries approving message to
Charge OShaughnessy for General
Huerta and then turning their atten-
ton to other subjects.
That the incident was not consid-
cred closed was indicated, however. by
the change in plans which both the
President and Secretary Bryan made
when the messages came showing HUI
erta's disposition to argue about de-
tails. The President will not go to
White Sulphur Springs, w. Va, until
tomorrow night and Secretary Bryan
will not go to Florida until the whole
question is adjusted.
Firing Of Salute
Just when the salute will be f1red,
even though an agreement is reached
in conjectural Many officials think
the majority of the ships of the At
lantic fleet will be on hand when the
salute is fired at Tampico.
Secretary Daniels said the orders
which had been given to Rear Admir-
al Badger were merely ito proceed to
Tampico' though he had been ac-
quainted with all phases of the situa-
ton, diplomatic and otherwise. Mr..
Daniels has announced, too, that the
third division of the Atlantic fleet,
which for some time has been get
ting ready for service in Mexican wat
ers, would sail on April 26 or 81 and
would relieve the ships of
the second division. That Huerta
must salute the American colors with
Il guns before American cannon ac-
the apology, is the senti-
ment of Congress. There also is a
growing feeling among senators and
that there should be no
further dickering with Huerta.
Expect Huerta to Delay
Today's developments in Mexico City