Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-19
CONGRESS READY
TO USE GUARD IN
DASH TO MEXICO
Will Clear Way for Sending
Men Outside Border
of u. S.
SURE OF INTERVENTION

WASHINGTON, June 19.--The Admin
stratlon today arranged with congressional
leaders specifically to authorize the use of
the organized militia as an offensive force
on Mexican soil.
Secretary of War Baker communicated to
Chairman Hay of the House military af-
fairs committee and Chairman Chamberlain
of the Senate committee the desire for
specific congressional action that would
make clear the authority of the war de-
partment to send the guardsmen outside the
borders of the United States and into Mex
leo. The congressional leaders, while eX-
pressing the opinion that the President al
ready has authority to send the State troops
into Mexico as n defensive measure. assured
Secretary Baker that authorization would
be promptly forthcoming. BY the time the
militia has been mobilized on the border all
legal action necessary to make 1t avail
able for Federal service anywhere in Mex
leo will have been taken.
WARY OF COMPLICATIONS.
Some Administration advisers opposed
the specific authorization suggested by Sec
retary Baker, declaring 1t would be ac-
cepted by the Mexican people as a fiat
declaration of war. They asserted that
while 1t would add nothing to the actual
authority which the President now has over
the militia, 1t might operate to force hostil-
tiles by the Mexicans by spreading : the
idea that the United States was bent on
war. Secretary Baker told Them, however
that this matter had been considered and
that the Administration believed the pass
age of such resolution would not further
compicate the situation. T..
Chairman Hay, after talking with Sec
retary Baker over the telephone, said that
a Joint resolution specifically, authorizing
the President to use the militia outside OF
the territorial limits of the. United States
would be Introduced and put through both
houses of Congress to meet Secretary
Bakers demand.
CHAIRMAN HAY PROMISES AID.
THE War Department seems to think"
said Representative Hay, that under the
law the President needs specific congress
sional authorization in order to legalze the
use of the militia organizations outside of
the boundaries of the United States Sec
retary Baker has suggested the passage of
a joint resolution carrying this authorize
tion. Such a resolution will be passed and
will undoubtedly have the unanimous sup
port of members of both houses. since the
Administration believes 1t necessary. Per-
sonally, believe the Administration
has emple authority to send the
militia anywhere in Mexco at present.
II is certain that we could send militia
army into Mexico as a means of defense. as.
a means of repelling invasion. The passage
of the suggested joint resolution, however,
will make the matter clear beyond all posi-.
billty OF doubt" 90
LEADERS PLEDGE SUPPORT
That complete Intervention in Mexico now
is certain was the opinion expressed today
by congressional leaders, Confident that
the mobilization of the Guardsmen of the
country presaged the odering of an Ameri-
can army of paeihcatlon into Mexico,
members OF the House and Senate, both
Democrats and Republicans, expressed their
satisfaction and pledged their support to
the Administration In the event OF extensive
hostilities. The attitude of congressional
leaders was expressed by Senator Chamber
lain OF Oregon. chairman OF the Senate
Military Affairs Committee, who saidis
''It has been apparent right along that
we would have TO go into Mexico and clean
things up. The calling out of the State
militia means that intervention is imml-
nent The Mexicans have deceived. thetn-
selves into believing that they can with
stand the forces OF the United States J4e
10 the extent 10 which the President can.
use the National Guard outside OF the boun-
daries OF the country, 1 am satisfied that
the militia can be used under any clrcum-
stances that may arise in Mexico. II Is
inconcelYable that the guard should be
mobilized on the border 10 await Mexican
invasion. In my opinion an army eom~
posed OF the National Guard could be sent
to Mexico City itself, for defensive pur-
poses II necessary"