Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-03-25
POWERFUL
|NFIUENC
WORK FOR WAR
Censorship Between Mexico
and Border TO BE Tighten
ed Is Wilson Wish
NO MORE TROOPS
NEEDED BY FUNSTON
Caucus of Democrats Was
Held for Purpose of Speed
ing up Legislation

wv aSnlnSJOn, lMufCH Zf.-W nat die
regarded as evidences of activity Of
powerful Influences to force interven-
ton in Mexico through the spreading
of alarmists' reports were discussed
at the cabinet meeting today, and re-
suited in the preparation of declara-
tions on the subject by Secretary
Lansing, which probably will be made
public tomorrow.
Administration officials believe that
definite effort is being made to
bring about war between the United
States and Mexico.
Selfish Interests Want War.
One cabinet member expressed the
opinion, following today's meeting,
that the attempts to force interven-
ton were backed by interests owning
property in northern Mexico. Well
defined steps were being taken, he
said, to stir up public feeling in Mex
leo and the United States, when a
clash between the two nations would
be inevitable.
1t was also understood that the ad-
ministration had under consideration
tightening the censorship on. Mexican
news, and warning any officers along
the border against giving ont reports
unless fully verified.
Ask No More Troops. ..r,.
General Funston has not asked for
additional troops since the Fifth Cav.
airy and The 1Mss fourth Infantry
We're ordered TO , join him. Consnls
along the border say conditions are
normal, and no demonstrations
against the columns or towns on the
border.
Officials Incensed.
Administration officials were much
incensed over the circulation from
the border Of alarming rumOrs as to
what was happening in Mexico. The
most persistent has been that regard
ing the Huerrca revolt, which was
transmitted by Gen. Bell to ten
Funston and the source of which has
not been disclosed.
81 believe large part Of the story
originated in the minds of interested
persons. who desire intervention
Secretary Lansing said He added
that they could have no other pur.
pose than to infiame the minds of
the Mexican people.
Mineral Rights in House.
A favorable report on the house
bill for leasing mineral rights on pub
lie lands today was made by the com,
mittee on public lands, with an
amendment eliminating coal and So
dium lands from it's provision.
AS amended, the measure would di-
rect the secretary of the interior to
lease for 2O-year periods with the
right of extension for ten years, pub
lie lands containing phosphate, oil,
gas or potassium.
Another amendment, drafted by
Senator Phelan of California, and ac-
cepted by the committee, is designed
to relieve California oil operators
located on lands withdrawn from en-.
try by President Taft in 1909.
To speed Up Legislation.
House democrats, in caucus today,
adopted resolution outlining plan
for speeding up the administrations
legislation before adjourning in June.
They pledged themselves to co-opera.
tion in earlier daily meetings and
such night sessions as may seem ad
visable. The plan is to handle at
night sessions the business of all spe
cial days in the week, except the
so-called Calendar Wednesday. 1t
was also agreed that the tariff bill
should become part of the revenue
measure.
Can't Develop Navy.
Rear Admiral Bradley A. Fiske de-
clared before the house naval com.
mittee today that. regardless of how
many ships there we're built, it would
be impossible to carry out the gen.
eral boards plan for making the
American navy equal to any at1oat by
1925, because it would take ten years
longer to develop and train the per-
sonnel necessary to man the navy
in first rank.