The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-04-22
TO PREVENT HUERTA
FROM GETTING ARMS
Million Rounds Of Ammunition
on Board Vessel Due
There Shortly.

Washington, April 22.-Whle the
senate was discussing the Mexican
crisis orders went forward to Admiral
Fletcher To seize the customs house at
Vera Cruz to prevent a large cargo of
artillery and ammunition from falling
into the hands of the Huerta forces,
to whom they were consigned and
which were transported from Europe
aboard a German vessel
AS there has been no blockade de-
clared the United States could not
seize the ship on which the war muni-
tions were being transported but it
could seize the port and prevent them
from being landed.
II was to accomplish this obvious
crippling OF the provisional govern
ment of Mexico that Admiral Fletcher
was instructed to act without waiting
the result of the debates In congress.
The order to Admiral Fletcher, it is
said, conferred the broadest authority
and directed that, If necessary, he
should take the city of Vera Cruz as
well as the customs house, in order
to prevent the landing of the muni-
tions at that point.
The United States has notified for.
eign powers that Vera Cruz is to be
blockaded. This is in conformity
with international law.
Several Courses Open to Admiral.
Officials here pointed out that Ad.
miral Fletcher might act in several
ways He might wait until the Ger.
man steamer had actually landed her
cargo unmolested and then take the
customs house and the munitions, or
when the German steamer comes into
port he might seize the customs
house, and If the cargo were dis
charged they would come into posses
sion of the United States forces.
When news reached the Capitol that
the order had gone to Admiral Fletch-
er 1t aroused considerable enthusiasm
among senators and representatives
Democratic senate leaders believed
an order to the American commander
to begin actual operations would serve
to hurry action on the resolution to
back up the presidents course.
Republican leaders were planning to
champion the substitute submitted by
Senator Lodge, which refers to the long
series of outrages against Americans
in Mexico. This was not accepted
however, by the Democrats. Neither
will 1t be accepted by the house lead
ers, 1t was stated.
The house resolution, as amended by
the foreign relations committee, was
laid before the senate soon after II
met.
A new resolution to accept the apol
ogies already offered by Huerta as
Sufficient reparation" for the Tam
pico incident, was introduced by Sen
ator Works, Republican.
Lodge Opens Senate Debate.
Senator Lodge opened the debate IL
the senate.
'In a situation of high seriousness
ooSh do hOW SOhAionbo SOh6lGoop ~ Ia
well to remember the responsibility ol
the senate" he began. "The power II
declare war rests under the Constitu
ton with the congress.
When the president lays an inter
national controversy before congress
be takes the last step that precedes
war;" continued Mr.. Lodge. 9TH,
. president might have taken further
steps. but he has come to the body
which alone has power to declare war
think he has done we'll"
Senator Lodge resented any imputa
tion that the Republicans were lack
ing In proper regard for the honor o
the flag"
"But we must also think of thal
which the flag covers-the citizens O
the United States" he said. "One hun
dred and fifty American citizens have
perished on Mexican soil. l cannot
In demanding atonement OF the insult
ct TAmpico, overlook these outrages
aonnnt 1naa- -thAaA- mnrdAkn- aalnn1l,