Evening star., 1924-01-08
DEMOCRATS ASSA|L
EMBARGO ON ARMS
Senator Robinson's Bill
Would Ban Munitions Even
to Mexican FederaIs.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
President Coolidge's Mexican policy
which resulted yesterdayin an arms
embargo directed against the de la
Huerta revolutionists. was assailed
from democratic quarters today in
the Senate.
Senator Robinson Of Arkansas, the
democratic floor leader, presented a
bill which could prohibit under heavy
penalties the sale Of munitions to
foreign governments, either by the
United States government or a private
American citizen.
While the measure did not spe-
officially mention the recent sale by
materials TO the Mexican govern
ment under President Obregon, it
was explained by the author as
having been drawn with that incident
in view.
The text Of Senator Robinson's bill
follows:
THAI from and after the passage
of this act, except when the United
States is engaged in war;. it shall
be unlawful for any officer, agent,
States to sell or offer to sell. to de-
liver or attempt to deliver. arms or
munitions TO any foreign government,
or to any.foreign POLITICAL or military
officer or agent.
ANY person convicted of violating
this act shall be punished by fine in
any sum not exceeding one hundred
thousand dollars and by imprison-
ment not exceeding one year.
The district courts of the United
States shall have jurisdiction to en-
force this act"
Embargo Il Proclaimed.
The embargo was proclaimed by
President Coolidge late yesterday
after series of conferences among
interested department heads, and II
provides that no munitions may be
sent into Mexico from the United
States except with the specific ap-
proval of Secretary Hughes. It was
made public without comment, but 1t
was regarded as new step to aid
the Obregon government under the
policy Of the Washington administra-
ton to assist in the maintenance of
law and order and n stable govern
ment in Mexico.
The Presidents action follows
closely the governments decision to
sell surplus war materials to the
Mexican authorities, a subsequent in
Quiry by an agent of the revolution
dTy group at New orleans tnrOuSh IA
the Department of Justice as to the
legality of munitions purchases in
the United States in behalf of the
De la Huerta forces and the state
ment by officials that no legal OBJ
stacle stood in the way of such a
transaction.
The revolutionary agent had been
instructed to contract for the pur-
chase of 100000 rifle cartridges,
100000 rounds of machine gun am
munition. 5000 rifles and ten ma
chine guns, but the opinion was
voiced here that no such quantity
of war materials was available in
private hands, and doubt was ex-
pressed that any American manu-
facturer would be willing to deal
with the de la Huerta group in view
OF the governments announced atti-
tude.
@ First Payment Received.
A cash payment amounting to one
half OF the total amount the Obregon
government lis to pay the United
States for the war materials recently
purchased here has been received.
The remainder is payable within
thirty days. Officials refuse to dis
close the amount involved.
No information yet has been re-
ceived at the War Department to
show whether the munitions have
been delivered to the Mexican agents
In the United States, but orders for
their delivery have gone forward.
The Treasury has instructed all
customs officials at ports and border
of arms and munitions which would
violate the new embargo. Detailed
regulations on the subject are to be
drafted later