The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-15

fiers and enlisted men of tho United
States army"
To Commander Munitions.
The resolution presented by Repre-
sentative Cary is as follows:
Whereas, serious danger threatens
the United States on the southern
border, and,
Whereas, there In an apparent
shortage of munitions of war in all
the various branches of Il q naval and
military services of the United States
as revealed In the official reports and
statements made to the committees
of the Senate and the House OF Repre-
sentatives, and,
"Whereas. 1t Is of the utmost i'm
portance that the United States be pre-
pared at all times for any attack by
foreign power,
Therefore be II resolved, by the
Senate and House of Representatives
In Congress assembled. that the Sec
retary of War and the Secretary of
the Navy are hereby instructed to taks
possession on behalf of the United
States and to hold all arms and am
munitions Of war within the terri
to.-ial limits of the United States; and
be 1t further resolved, that the Sec
rotary of the Treasury is hereby
authorized to pay for said arms and
ammunitions so seized upon the report
and valuation OF Ave military and five
naval officers and Ave disinterested
citizens of the United States. to be ap-
pointed by the President with the APP
proval and consent of the Senate OF
the United States"
Not q Necessary Measure.
War Department officials were in
4erestea -i44-tAe- Cary resolution but
they said it's passage was not neces-
eary to give the United States the
right to commander all the ammuni-
ton in the country in the event or
war.
Despite any contracts manufactur-
ers might have with European powers,
1t was held that the unlimited SOW
ereign power OF a nation in time of
war would be sufficient to meet the
situation without statute law,
THE United States would have just
as much right to take possession or
all available ammunition. and other
munitions OF war" high official OF
the War Department said. las 1t would
to take control of transportation ia
cilities,"
The War Department has accurate
knowledge OF the supply of ammuni-
ton at every powder plant in the Unit
ed States. This Is kept on file in
the department, but under agreement
with the manufacturers It is not d.
vulged. The same information regard
ing the products of all munitions fac
tories is in possession of the military
authorities.
Believes Delicate Situation.
Consul Stilliman's message stating
that he had delivered the note to the
Carranza government, was sent from
81 ~ In al
said:
"Reply of the United States to
the dc facto governments note OF
March IN. Columbus border situ-
alton. received at 5 this afternoon.
personally presented this import
ant communication orally and In
writing 80 Foreign Minister Acu-
ma at $50 p. NJ. He read same
I'm my presence and afterwards
stated:
az am pleased to receive re-
ply of this character from the
government OF the United States.
1t will relieve the very delicate
situation that has developed 0w-
ing TO the Columbus affair.
will Immediately transmit this re-
ply to the chief executive, and am
OF the opinion that there will be
reply to this courteous note exc
pressing appreciation of same. In
this event shall deliver 1t to you
Immediately for transmittal TO the
government of the United States
'Tt was plainly evident that the
reply cr'nted a most favorable
impression"
Consul Stilliman in the same dis
patch repo tied shifts in the Carranza
cabinet among them the displacing
of Acuna as foreign minister by Gen.
eral Candido Aguilar. governor OF the
State of Vera Cruz. The appointment
OF General Obregon as Secretary Of
War was also announced. This was
accepted as an indication that the
reported trouble between Carranza
and his first military chief had been
patched up.
Finance Committee Meets.
Chairman BARTON II Grurdv vegfAr-