Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-01-13

| Washington, Jan. 13.-Congress was
asked today to clothe President Will
son with authorities to intervene for
chilly in Mexico.
Senator James Hamilton Lewis of IL
linois, majority whip, introduced a
resolution thus to authorize the chief
executive to use n free nand with the
army and navy forces, to the extent
that they are now used in policing
Nicaragua and Haiti. He proposed, too,
that this power be given so that, in
case of necessity America might punish
violation of United States rights and
protect United States property.
This move, the direct outgrowth of
tho bloody slaughter of 1S Americans
at Santa Ysabel, it was followed by a
speech, however, in which the Illinois
legislator defended the administra-
tion $ policy of patient watchful wait
ing. On the other side of the capital,
there were fiery words from Represen-
tative Slayden, Texan, anent the Mex
lean situation.
President Wilson, however, refused
to be swerved for the present from his
Mexican policy lie upheld his premier
in the latter S announcement that the
Santa Isabel victims went into Mexico
in the face of n warning that they
would do so at their own peril.
From Mexican Ambassador Eliseo
Aredondo came word to Secretary
Lansing deploring the assassinations,
pledging action TO revenge them, and
to protect Americans in the future.
The Lewis resolution read:
Resolved, by the senate, the house
concurring, that the president be and
hereby is authorized and empowered to
order the army and navy or any neces.
sary part thereof to Mexico, and there
co operate with any force existing
which to the president shall seem ap.
proprate, for the object of protecting
American citizens, the property Of the
United States and TO punish those vio
ating the securities Of its citizens;
and to authorize the president to use
the military and naval forces of the
United States in Mexico to the same
extent as is now by law permitted tC
the navy in Nicaragua and Haiti foi
the protection Of American rights.
Under the resolution, intervention in
Mexico could be complete. The senator
did not indicate whether President
Wilson had requested him to introduce
this measure, but, at any rate il caused
the widest speculation Of any move
since the massacre occurred.
Administration officials, in sym
pathy with the Wilson Mexican policy
aeld TINT, in the following message from
Arredondo, there was the prospect OF
a satisfactory solution OF the Mexi
can proDiems without the drastic steT
OF intervention.
81 have the honor TO acknowledge,
receipt Of your excollency's note re
grading the murder of 16 American
gentlemen near Chihuahua and of tn,
situation in the state Of Durango. YOU
excellency may feel assured that my
government and myself deeply deplor'
tne dlstardly action Of the Villi
forces, that efficient action win b.
taken TO bring the murderers TO justice
and that my government will also TAX,
the necessary steps,to remedy the sit
uation in Durango. This latter has al
4 ready been brought TO the attention o.
e Mr.. Clrranzn, and while feel certain
}, that he will omit no effort TO bring tn,
. murderers to justice OF his own initia
r tive, have communicated witn hin
on the sub bject...'