New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-17
Senators Hold Naval Move
Unnecessary if Salute
of Flag Was All.
SUPPORT FOR WILSON
IN LOWER HOUSE
Foreign Affairs Committee For
mally Sustains Action of
President.
From The Tribune Bureau J

vaebiocton. April 16.-Senators who
looked for the beginning OF the end
~, the watchful waiting policy OF the
,u,i,istration were surprised by the
.u,orncement to-day that the Mexican
,-.,aor+ would be closed by the firing
q, q salute by Huerta, which would be
NOD Nv the naval forces Of the
United states.
,rhera was no great difference Of
oninion among those who were kept
,.sorrood Of the progress Of events that
:, was good form. from the point OF
..,o,,. IF international custom, for the
r.oi,od states TO acknowledge the &C
,,o, Of the Huerta government by an
Exchange Of salutations.
senator Lodge. senior Republican
member Of the Foreign Relations Com
,,i,tae said that there were precedents
Co.. such action. and that there was no
room for dispute because the Wiling
40 NJ the United States to make such
recognition Of the salute OF the repre-
.ertatives Of the Huerta government
WAS expressed in the original demand
If Admiral Mayo. as was afterWaru
explicitly announced in statement
from the Navy Department.
Senator Shively, acting chairman of
the Foreign Relations Committee, VINO
VAS present at a conference with Pres
.dont Wilson earlier in the day, TOOK
tho same view. The return of the
s,lute Of Huerta cannot be interpreted,
no declared. as recognition Of the
Huerta government.
Some Senators Disappointed.
Apart from the requirements Of in
ternational law, however, Senators VINO
had looked for definite action in the
Mexican crisis did not hesitate TO ex-
press their disappointment at the ap-
parent anti-climax of the demonsra-
ton ordered by the President. II the
Tampico incident were all that was TO
be COnSlOeTeu, tlcN ucNI@iN W. Wv
patch of the Atlantic fleet was quite
unnecessary. The same result could
have been accomplished by the naval
forces already in Mexican waters
which we're more than ample TO en-
force the demands of this government.
They insisted that an accounting was
still to be rendered for the acts OF the
Huerta government set forth in the
statement issued from the White House
Yesterday.
There was etill some doubt among
Senator's to-day whether the incident
would result in the weakening of
Huerta's position with the people OF
Mexico or whether II would rebound to
his advantage
Some declared that the firing Of the
return salute by the American naval
forces and his escape without loss OF
dignity from q dilemma which was
thought 10 be the beginning OF the end
OF his regime would strengthen his po-
sitlon and leave the United States In
itself up TO this time in dealing with
the Mexican situation. Others believed
that popular opinion IN Mexico might
react against Huerta for yielding TO
peremptory demand backed up by
show Of force on the part OF the United
States.
There was also much speculation
whether popular opinion in the United
States would receive with satisfaction
the announcement Of the outcome or
the demonstration by the administra-
ton.
Wilson's Action Sustained.
The House Committee on Foreign
Affairs unanimously adopted to-day
resolution sustaining the President in
his action in sending the feet to Tam
pico. The formal resolution employing
the word Sustain" was adopted after
Representatives Ainey and Bartholdt
had objected 20 the word approve"
Mt Ainey, particularly, had not been
IN sympathy with the policy Of the
United States toward Mexico and he
would not support a resolution so
worded as TO lead TO the assumption
that the entire Mexican policy Of the
administration had his approval
Following this action by the COM
mittee. came the announcement OF
Huertas willingness TO salute the
American flag and the probability OF a
return salute by this government Rep
resentative Cooper. ranking Republi-
can on the committee. while in sym
pathy with the Presidents dispatch Of
the feet. said:
II cannot recall Just now any prece-