The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1924-01-10
5000 RIFLES SOLD
FOR MExICO'S USE
100000 Rounds of kInmu-
milton for EnfieIds Ordered
to Be Delivered.
HALF IS PAID IN CASH
And Balance VIII Be Settled by the
Obregon Government in Thirty Days
Minister Announces Prepare
tions for Blow to End Revolt.

lions TOT blow u Emu hSSOiG
Washington. - Formal announce
ment of the contamination of the sale
Of munitions to the Mexican Govern
ment was made by Secretary of War
Weeks here.
The secretary's announcement said:
"This Government has sold to the
Mexican Government 5000 Enfield
rifles, model Of 1917; 100000 rounds,
calibre 80 ammunition and eight DH-4
airplanes, the terms of the sale being
one-half cash and one-half within
thirty days. These articles do not
cover the entire list requested origi-
nally, but the Mexican Government
finds they will answer its present re-
quirements."
A Telegram hic order for the transfer
of the money to the Mexican repre-
sentative here through the Guaranty
Trust Company already has been re-
ceived the secretary stated, and the
materials will be delivered within
twenty-four hours. Price was not dis
closed
The rifles and ammunition are at
San Antonio, Texas, and at Fort Bliss,
it was explained, and will be delivered
to representatives of the Mexican Gov
eminent there for transfer to Mexico.
The responsibility Of shipment is with
the purchaser. The airplanes are at
Fairfield Depot, Dayton, Ohio.
At present no negotiations are I'M
der way for artillery, it was stated,
although it was added that the Mexi-
can Government might come back for
more munitions at later date, f nee
essary.
The secretary pointed out that this
sale of munitions does not crcate
precedent. In 1919 the Government
made no fewer than six sales of large
quantities of surplus property TO for
e1gn Governments, and during this
Administration munitions have been
sold to Panama, to Nicaragua and to
Cuba. In the case of Panama the
amount was not large, but in the case
of Nicaragua the purchase price was
$4,000, while the sale to Cuba was
for more than 100000.
In the case of Cuba the sale was
consummated within the last three
months, or since the Harding letter to
Secretary Weeks directing that no
arms be sold to foreign governments.
At the time of the sale Cuba was
threatened with an armed uprising
by the so-called Veterans Organiza-
ton.
At the White House it was stated
that this sale does not necessarily
mean that the United States has
adopted definite policy with respect
to the sale Of surplus munitions. 1t
means merely that each cas- will be
considered as it arises, the White
House spokesman explained, and if
there is merit in the case appropriate
action will be taken.
If the United States Government is
requested to furnish "a few rifles and
a few rounds of ammunition, it was
explained, that is a different matter
from selling large amounts Of such
materials for the purpose of aiding
one country in carrying on war
against another. In the one case, it
was said, it is a case of policing; in
the other, question of encouraging
warfare.
President Coolidge has every conf
dence that the Government acted en-
tirely within the law in making the
sale; it was indicated that this point
had been thoroughly investigated, and
that while the President would of
course consult Congress in any mat
ter in which he believed Congression-
al action was necessary, he saw no
necessity for such consultation in this
instance.
The airplanes which were sold to
the Mexican Government have no ar
mament. 1t is understood, however,
that there is no objection to selling
machine guns or other equipment to
Mexico to the end that they may be
installed upon the planes.