Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-08
Coo|idge's Proclamation
Puts Embargo On All
Munitions Except
Those Approved By
US. Government
All Officials on Land
and Sea to w a t c h
Out for Smugglers-
$4,000 Fine and 2
Year Term for Those
Caught Violating
Embargo

Washington. Jan. president
Coolidge took further steps to aid
the Obregon government in Mexico
today. signing n proclamation which
imposed an immediate embargo OH
any shipments OF war munitions to
that country except with the specific
approval Of the government a fine
of $4,000 or two yea ! Imprisonment
or both may he imposed upon con-
victed violators of tho embargo,
Action was taken by the president
on recommendation OF Secretary
Hughes. No formal statement nc-
companiod the text of the proclama-
ton when it was made public at tho
state department SO far as known.
however, the Washington government
has no exact information rs to in
tended sales of orms in the United
States to Mexican rebel factions be-
yond the inquiry through the de-
partment OF justice received yester-
day from the Dc La Huerta agent in
, New Orleans concerning purchase
! and assembly in New Orleans for
shipment TO the rebel forces of arms
an damn milton.
Under the proclamation tho treas
Try department would be required
Immediately to deny clearance at
! any port or along the border to arms
shipments of any character for
Mexico except where the specific APP
proval of Secretary Hughes for the
u. tVk,. n HHt.
department of justice presumably
viii instruct its agents to cause the
arrest of any persons conspiring To
violate the law. Unless arms smug-
Cling in defiance of the embargo
should reach proportions beyond the
control of tho civil officers OF the
government orders for army and
navy cooperation are not expected
/ TO he sent.
President Coolidge's action in
signing the proclamation foreshadows
orders by the treasury department
to the customs and revenue cutter
service TO prevent the clearing OF
any ships carrying cargoes OF arms
from the United States for the Mexi-
can rebels. Orders probably will In
olude directions to the revenue cut
tiers to intercept American ships at
sea in the event of their surreptitious
departure with arms cargoes from
American waters. The navy would
be used for this purpose also, II
needed.
Border patrols against liquor. drugs.
aliens and other forms of smuggling
probably will be instructed to watch
for arms smuggling expeditions. Sec
rotary Weeks said today. however. that
while army commanders on the border
would be advitcd OF the issuance Of the
proclamation. he would construe II at
present as addressed primarily to the
civil officers along the international
line and would not direct the army,to
begin patrolling against arms SNUG
glers. The war secretary made 10 plain.
however. that In the event OF any ssx-
tensive gun running, army forces. Nv
Guiding cavalry aud aircraft stationed
on the border would be used 10 break
Up the traffic.
The proclamation is supplementary
to the determination to sell arms to
the Obrcgon government as n measure
of aid in putting down of the De La
Huerta rebellion. 1T Is In limo with
the policy adopted by the administra-
ton in deciding to make that sale. In
effect the administration has gone the
whole length Of it's powers to give di-
rect aid to the Oregon government
against inc reDe1S. f1nancfal ara could
not be extended by the Washington
government without specific sanction
by Congress of a loan or of extensive
credits for the purchase of equipment
In the United States. So.
Government officials believe that the
signing of the proclamation will ef-
fective1y curb any important gun-run-
ming traffic out of the United States
as to Mexico. Tho government has no
means Of checking any flow OF arms
to the rebels from any other country
than the United States. however. and
the Mexican government must move IN
It's own behalf IL 1t is to obtain from
ether foreign nations the same degrees
OF support that has now been extended
TO 1t By the United States.