The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-01-09
j. s. MOVES TO
MAKE EMBARGO
ON ARMS TIGHT
Treasury Forwards Instruc-
tons to Customs Officers
and Agents in Matter,
RAILROADS GET 1T
Progress Made in Delivery, of
Arms to ObregOnists I'm.
f. der Presidents Order

Washington, Jan. a.--Steps toward
make rigidly effective the Coolidge
arms embargo directed against the
De LIZ Huerta faction in Mexico went
forward rapidly yesterday and last
night.
The treasury forwarded instuc-
tons to custo toms officers and prohi-
Fbition enforcement agents to enforce
vigilantly all laws and regulations
under which business across the bor-
der is transacted, while upon request
Of the state department, the Ameri-
can Railway association through its
car service division, declared u
freight embargo against shipment to
Mexico unless approved by u United
States government agency.
Forward Order.
The embargo order was forwarded
at once by the association to its
members in Tie United States, among
whom are all Of the major railroads
Of the country, and is to become
effective Immediately.
The treasury, in addition to tele-
graphing explicit directions to bor-
der points, also notified all port au-
thorities to hold up exports Of arms
or other munitions destined for the
Mexican rebel forces. The action
was preliminary to the formalfty of
terms of the embargo proclamation
issued yesterday by President Cool
idge.
Is Aid to Obrcgon.
The action looking to an effective
tightening Of the lines along the
border and at American ports was
still another move on the part Of
the Washington administration in its.
progressively developing policy of
giving aid to the Obregon govern
ment Of Mexico by selling it war
equipment and at the same time pre-
venting; insofar, as legally posi-
BILE. munitions reaching the De La
Huerta forces.
Progress was made toward the sale
Of equipment from the Washington
government to that of President
Obregon through the receipt of cash
from Mexico for the transaction.
Whether the arms actually have been
delivered, however, has not been re-
vealed.
The administration policy with ref
erence to Mexico, however, did not
escape criticism from American
sources, during the day the arms en-
barge being assailed from Demo-
cratic quarters in the senate. Sena
leader, presented a bill which would
prohibit the sale of munitions to for
eign governments either by the
United States government or a pri
vate American citizen.
Act Promptly.
The treasury acted without wait
ing receipt Of the formal notice from
tn estate department of the White
House embargo proclamation and as
a result of reports from its agents
that they have been having more
than the usual amount Of trouble in
recent weeks with border smuggling
In the opinion of the agents the in
creased difficulties have been due in
a measure to the political disturb
ance in Mexico.
As result of the conditions, the
customs and prohibition agents have
been ordered to make more thorough
inspections Of all consignments,
either inbound or outbound. The
increased effort is expected to lead
to a curbing not only Of arms and
shipments but to the
movement Of other contraband such
as liquor and narcotics as we'll.
Under the provisions of the freight
embargo exceptions are made speci-
fically for the shipment to Mexico
of arms and munitions Of war as
follows:
"Those on government ollfs Of lad
ing, those authorized by proper mil
itary authorities and those author
ized to be exported into Mexico by
authority of the secretary of state