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"FOR GOD, FOR COUNTRY AND FOR TRUTH."
Single Copy, 5 Cents.
PLYMOUTH, N. C, FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1914. '
..NO. 43.
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U.S. TO SEIZE VERA
CRUZIDTIPICO
GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE FOS
SESSION OF CUSTOM HOUSES
IN TWO CITIES.
ACT ON ARRIVAL OF NAVY
Resolution Adopted by House Giving
Power to Fleet Preparing to Take
Cities At Once.
GEN. HUERTA PROTESTS
TO AMERICAN PEOPLE.
Mexico City." General Huer
ta offers all guarantees to for
eigners, Americans included,
who may remain in Mexico and
he will improve this opportunity
to show the world that his Gov
ernment and Mexico are moral
and civilized."
This statement Huerta dic
tated to The Associated Press.
He continued:
"I desire to make it plain to
the American people ,that ac
cording to the official report
from the commander at Port
Tampico received by the Mexi
can Government there was no
flag on the boat which landed
and whose crew was detained.
I fear that President Wilson
has been misinformed on this
point and that he will inform
the American Congress that the
boat carried the flag.
. "In fact , the American flag
jias nothing to do with the case
and I desire the American peo
ple fully to understand this."
Washington. Immediately upon ar
rival of the Atlantic fleet the United
States Government will take posses
sion of the Mexlc ,' custom houses at
Tampico and Vera Cruz.
Detailed plans for landing of ma
rines at these two important coast
towns were completed at a conference
at the White House betwen Presi
dent Wilson, Secretaries Bryan, Gar
rison and Daniel3. Major General
Wood, and Rear Admiral Fiske and
Blue, and John Lind. v . ,
"No orders to the Army and Navy
will be issued at present," was the
announcement made after the confer
ence, action temporarily being de
terred until Congress acts on the joint
resolution approving the Persident's
purpose of using the armed forces
of the United States to enforce its de
mands against General Huerta, grow
ing out of the arrest at Tampico of
American bluejackets.
The resolution passed the House by
a vote of 337 to 37, after a spirited
debate. For several hours it was
considered by the Senate Foreign Re
lations Committee with prospects of
an all night session of the Senate,
or a recess until early next day.
Persons who, were in touch with
the president said the Bteps which
would be taken by the United States
"short of war" were' of a nature which
would not require formal notification
to the powers in the same sense as a
declaration of blockade or other pre
liminaries to war. Foreign govern
ments will be kept informed of devil
ments, however,
The debate in the house brought
out the fact tnat while the Ameri
can navy probably would block Mex
ico off from commerce with the Uni
ted States, it would not interfere with
the passage to and fro of foreign ves
sels, though cargoes discharged on
the shore might be held at the custom
houses.
Admiral Badger Ready for Campaign.
On board the U. S. S. Arkansas, at
sea, by, wireless via Key West, Fla.
With the port of Tampico not far off
and the knowledge that President
Huerta has refused to accede to the
demand of the United States govern
ment, Rear Admiral Charles J. Badg
er, commander-in-chief of the Atlantic
fleet, and the , members of his staff
were busy preparing a tentative plan
of campaign. 'They gave special at
tention to details of a possible land
ing. The crews of the battleships
practiced with small arms and at
sighting the big guns.
Huerta Has 40,000 Armed Men.
Washington. Estimates at the Wai
Department put the armed forces ol
the Huerta Government in Mexico at
40,000, scattered throughout the coun
try. According .. to the Department's
figures there are 6,000 troops in Mexi
co City; 6,000 around Sal tillo, south
of Torreon; 2,50t ia the State of So
nora; 2,000 in Sinaloa; 800 in Tepic;
6.000 in Jalisco; 1,100 in Colima; 4,500
in Zaratecas; 1,250 in Guerrero and
scattering bands in other Southern
provinces. On the east coast there
are 10,000 men.
UNITED STATES BATTLESHIP SOUTH CAROLINA
Among the 16,000-ton battleships in Admiral Badger's Atlantic fleet Is Uw
South Carolina. Her armament comprises 34 guns. .
HUERTA REFUSES
TO GIVE A SALUTE
PROVISIONAL PRESIDENT FLATLY
REFUSES TO ACCEDE DE
MANDS OF U. 8.
PROPOSES NEW. CONDITIONS
Would Agree That Both Flags be Sa
luted, American First Then Mexi
can Flag, This Arrangement to Be
Made Ey a Signed Proctocol.
Mexico City. Senor Portilo y
Rojas, Foreign Minister, an
nounced that it would be impos
sible to agree to the demand of
the United States that the flag
of that country be uncondition
ally saluted, because that flag
was not insulted, because it was
not flying from the launch and
because the marines were set
free and that the officer respon
sible for the arrest was himself
arrested and held for trial.
The Foreign Minister further
announced that the Mexican
government would agree that
both flags be saluted, the Amer
ican flag first and then the Mex
ican flag, this arrangement to be'
made by a protocol signed by
the American Charge d'Affairs,
Nelson O'Shaugnessy, and the
Mexican Foreign Minister.
The United States govern
ment, Senator Portillo declared,
had refused permission to
Charge O'Shaugnessy to sign
such a protocol, and demanded
an unconditional salute by Mex
ico, which Mexico felt was in- .
compatible with her dignity.
"Mexico has yielded as much
as her dignity will permit. Mex
ico trusts to the fair-mindedness
and spirit of justice of the
American people."
Washington Gen. Victoriano Huer
to, Provisional President of Mexico,
flatly refused to accede to the uncon
ditional demands of the United States
that he salute the American flag.
Negotiations with Huerta over the
demand for a salute in reparation for
the arrest of American bluejackets
at Tampico on April 10 has come to
a close, the last chance given by
President Wilson for a favorable re
sponse from the Mexican dictator.
The final word of Huerta to Charge
O'Shaugnessy was a refusal to com
ply, unless the United States would
guarantee in writing that his salute
would be returned.
The crisis thus reached does ' not
mean that there will be a formal dec
laration of war, because the United
States could not declare war against
a government which it does not recog
nize. President Wilson will seek au
thority, however, to send armed forces
Into Mexico to seize first the ports of
Tampico and Vera Cruz and the rail
road trestle leading from Vera Cruz
toward Mexico City.
The "breach that finally has come
with Mexico will make It impossible,
it was declared, on high authority, for
the United States to further protect
foreigners in that Republic and for
fied of the situation in this regard.
The president, it wag declared, not
only would ask Conlgress for author
ity to use the armed forces to uphold
the honor of the Nation, but also for
an appropriation a deficiency already
having been created because of ex
pensive naval operations, in anticipa
tion of Huerta's defiance of this gov
ernment. - In reply to Huerta's proposed new
conditi 3ns' Secretary Daniels sent the
xoiiowing message in substance: "Ava,
certain that President Wilson would
not consent to have you sign the pro
tocol mentionel in your telegram. The
Salute should be fired without any
agreement as to its return. The
United States of America can be re
lied on according to international cus
tom and courtesy, to do its duty. The
signing of the protocol would be ob
jectionable in addition to other rea
sons, because of the fact that It might
be construed as recognition of the
Huerta Government whereas the
Presidant has no intention of recog
nizing that government.
NELSGN O'SHAUGHNESSY
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Nelson O'Shaughnessy, American
charge d'affaires in Mexico City, tried
his beet to show Huerta the serious re
sults that would follow his refusal to
order a salute to the American flag at
Tampico, but failed.
U. S. Troops Are Ready.
Chicago. All United States troops
remaining in the central division,
about 1500 cavalry and six batteries
of field guns, are ready to entrain in
twelve hours, it was stated at head
quarters here. In spUe of the large
numbe rof applicants at local recruit
ing offices, the officers in charge have
accepted only the few men required
to fill vacancies caused by discharge
of men who have completed their en
listments. The First Cavalry Jllinois
National Guard notified division head
quarters that it was ready to move at
three days' notice. -
Warned to Leave Vera Cruz.'
Vera Cruz. All American and oth
er foreign women have been asked by
Consul Canada to take refuge on ves
sels now in the harbor, preferably on
board the Mexico of the Ward line
and the Espehanza which has been
chartered by the United States navy.
MaJ. Gen. Wood to Command.
Washington. Secretary Garrison
announced that in the event of hos
tilities with Mexico, Major General
Leonard Wood, chief of staff of the
army, would command the American
forces.
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HOUSE GIVES RIGHT
TO ACT Hi ONCE
PRESIDENT APPEARS BEFORE
CONGRESS AND SUBMITS
TAMPICO INCIDENT.
THE VOTE WAS 337 TO 37
The Debate Was Warm and Patntec
Continuing Two Hours Before
the Vote.
Washington. After a spirited de
bate of more than two hours the house
passed the administration resolutions
approving President Wilson's purpose
to use the armed forces of the nation
to obtain from General Huerta the
fullest recognition of the honor and
dignity of the United States.
The vote was 337 to 37. The reso
lution was passed at 9:25 and went
to the senate.
Warm debate began as soon as
the resolution was reported by the
foreign affairs committee.
When Representative Flood asked
unanimous consent that the resolu
tion and the report be read, Represen
tative Leader Mann reserved the right
to object to the present consideration
of the resolution and demanded' an
explanation. Representative Under
wood "explained that the administra
tion desired to have the bill passed
before the night and that reasonable
debate would be allowed. He .said
that the rules committee was prepar
ing to bring in a rule for immediate
consideration of the resolution if nec
essary. Chairman Flood said that he was
prepared to allow half an hour's de
bate on the resolution on each side
of the house. Representative Mann
declared that the minority needed two
hours debate.
. "The president has advised us of
conditions," said Representative Un
derwood. "We would not insist on
putting this resolution through at
this time if this were not a matter of
paramount importance. But with the
president's message delivered, our
troops may be fired on at any time.
We should act now."
A round of Democratic applause
greetted this statement. ' Shouts of
"bring in a rule," "hurry it through,"
from the Democratic side interrupted
the efforts, to secure a linanimoufs
consent agreement Representative
Mann flinally agreed that be would
accept one hour and a half for the
Republicans. Aepresentatle Under
wood said the Democrats would oe
satisfied with one hour.
Representative Sisson, Democrat, of
Mississippi, declaring that the resolu
tion was a "declaration of war and as
such was a matter which congress
should fully consider," objected to
any agreement.
PRESIDENT BRIEF AS USUAL.
Knows What He Wants and Asks
Congress For It.
Washington. In an atmosphere of
suppressed excitement reflecting
grave tension and patriotic fervor, the
president of the United States asked
Congress in person for approval of his
purpose to use the army and navy
to force General Huerta to apologize
for indignities offered to the Ameri
can government. It was the flm time
since the war with Spain that the
president had pla-d so grave an in
ternational crisis before the national
legislature. Mr. Wilson spoke in sol
emn tones. When .he entered the
house chamber the cheers and ap
plause that greeted him were wildly
enthusiastic an outburst of the ten
sion that has prevailed in the national
capital. As he read his message the
applause came largely from the Demo
cratic side, many Republicans remain
ing conspicuously silent. It presag
ed an opposition to the president's re
quest which was not long in making
its appearance.
President Wilson nad pointed out
that under precedents he did not need
the authority of congress to act; but
merely sought their counsel, advice
and approval "in a matter possibly of
so grave consequence."
Begin Murder Trail.
Spartanburg, S. C Charged with
the murder of a two-months' old baby,
Cldye C. Clement, recently a student
in a preparatory school here, and Miss
Laura F. Pendleton will appear in the
court of general session here for trial.
The young woman, in an alleged con
fession made public by Solicitor Al
bert E. Hill, charges that Clement
dropped the baby from a bridge into
a creek here on the night of January
30, this year. She Is represented as
saying that she unwillingly consented
t-J the act.
UNCLE SAM'S FORCE
Washington. Never before in the
history, of the nation has the strength
of the navy been shown as it is in
Mexican waters today. A greater per
centage of fighting machines were as
sembled about Cuba in the war with
Spain, but the navy of 1898 had not
the fighting strength of the navy of
today, either in number of vessels, In
tonnage or in gun caliber.
The war strength which the United
States now has or will have In Mexi
can waters within a few days with
which to compel compliance ,ith the
demands of this government may be
summarized as follows:
On East Coast.
Battleships ...15 Transport
Cruisers 4 Mine depot ship.
Gunboats 2 Fuel ship
Destroyers .........15 Hospital ship ..
Tender 1 Marine transport
.... On West Coast.
Armored cruisers. 3 Tender ,
Cruisers 2 Supply ship ......
Destroyers 5 Fuel Bhlp
Gunboat 1 '
Men Available for Landing Purposes.
On East Coast.
Salors 5.000 Marines 2,500
On West Coast.
Sailors 750 Marines 500
Addition marines have received
orders to prepare for departure to
Mexico. The number available are:
On the east coast. 3,000; on the west
coast, 1,000.
This strength. If used for landing
purposes, can be reinforced by troops,
15,000 of whom are along the border.
Details of the Fleet.
North Atlantic Fleet.
Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger,
commander-in-chief.
Displace- No. of
Name. ment. Guns.
Arkansas (flagship) 26,000 !7
Second Division Rear Admiral Clifford J.
Boush, commander.
Battleships y
South Carolina' ...16.A00 34
Michigan 16,000 84
Louisiana 16.000 46
New Hampshire 16,000 45
Vermont , 16.000 46
New Jersey 15,000 39
Tacom a (cruiser) 3,200 IS
Nashville (gunboat) . 1,370 8
Hancock (marine transp.) 8,500 8
Fuel ships
Vulcan .....11.230 T.
Jason 19.132 .
Orion ...j 19.132
Nereus 19,000
. Under Preparatory Orders.
Third Division Rear Admiral Frank E3.
Beatty, commander.
Displace- No. of
Name. ment. Guns.
Battleships
Rhode Island 14,948 40
Nebraska 14.948 40
Virginia 14,948 40
Georgia 14.948 40
Torpedo Flotilla Capt. William S. Sims,
commander.
Birmlnsrham (cruiser)' 3.750 10
Dixie (tender) : 6,114 12
Destroyers Third Division Lieut. Com
mander William L. Littlefield,
commander.
Henley 742 3
Drayton 742 3
Mayrnnt 742 3
McCall 742 3
Fourth Division Lieut. Commander S. H.
R. Doyle, commander.
Spauldlng 742 3
Ammen : 742 3
Burrows 742 3
Patterson 742 3
Trlppe 742 3
Fifth Division Lieut. Commander W.
N. Jefters, commanding.
Fannin? 742 3
Beale 742 3
Jenkins 742 3
Jarvls 743 3
Jouett 742 3
Now at Vera Cruz.
First Division Rear Admiral F. F.
Fletcher, commander.
Displace- No. of
Name. ment. Guns.
Florida 21.825 30
Prairie (transport) 6,620 12
San Francisco (mine depot ship) 4,083 12
Cyclops (fuel ship) 19,360
Solace (hospital ship) .5,700
Vessels at Tampico-.
Fourth Division Rear Admiral Mayo,
commander.
Battleships
Utah : 21,823 30
Connecticut 16,000 46
Minnesota 16,000 46
Cruisers
Chester 3,750 10
Des Molnps 3.200 18
Dolphin (Runhoat) 1,486 6
Pacific Fleet.
V
Hoar Admiral T. B. Howard,
commander-in-chief.
Displace- No. of
Name.. ment. Guns.
A mo red Cruisers
Pittsburgh ....1.VSS0 40
Maryland 13.6SO 40
Torpedo Flotilla Lieut. Commander E. H.
Dodd, commander.
Iris" (tender) 6,100
First Division Lli'i't. M. K. Metcalf,
commander.
Destroyers
Whipple 433 10
Paul Jones ... 420 9
P?rry 420 9
Stewart 420 9
Truxton 433 10
Vessels at Acapulco:
California (armored cruiser) 13,680 40
At Mazatlan:
Ralfleh (cruiser) S.183 17
At Gunymas:
New Orleans (cruiser) y 3.430 IS
Glacier (supply ship) 8.325 1
Justin (fuel ship)... 6,600
At Topolobampo:
Yorktown (ervnboat) 1.710 14
Available In Case of Need.
(On the Atlantic.)
Battleships
Displace- No. of
Name. ment. Guns.
Texas 27.000 81
New Tork 17.000 31
North Dakota 20.000 28
Delaware 30.000 28
Kansas 16,000 46
SENT TO AWE MEXICO
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED
Following is the official statement Is
sued as representing the views of
President Wilson and the administra
tion on Mexico:
"In discussions in official circles In
Washington of the present Mexican
situation the following points have
been very much dwelt upon:
"It has been pointed out that. In
considering the present somewhat
delicate situation In 'Mexico, the un
pleasant incident at Tampico must not
be thought of alone. For some time
past the de facto government of Mex
ico has seemed to think mere apolo
gies sufficient when the rights of
AmeriCiin citizens or the dignity of
the government of the United States
were involved and has apparently
made no attempt at either reparation
or the effective correction of the seri
ous derelictions of its civil and mili
tary officers.
Orderly Placed In jail.
"Immediately after the incident at
Tampico an orderly from one of the
ships of the United States in the har
bor of Vera Cruz, who had been sent
ashore to the post office for the ship's
mail, and who was in uniform and
who had the official mail bag on his
back, was arrested and put into Jail
by the local authorities. He was sub
sequently released and a nominal pun
ishment was inflicted upon the officer
who arrested him, but it was signifi
cant that an orderly from the fleet of
the Uhited States was picked out
from the many persons constantly go
ing shore on various errands, from
the various ships in the harbor, rep
resenting several nations.
Official Dispatch Withheld.
"Most serious of all, the officials In
charge of the telegraph office at Mex
ico City presumed to withhold an offi
cial dispatch of the government of the
United States to its embassy at Mex
ico City, until Jt should have been
sent to the censor and his permission
received to deliver it, and gave the
dispatch into the hands of the charge
d'affaires of the United States only
upon his personal and . emphatic de
mand, he having in the meantime
learned through other channels that
a dlspatich had been sent him which
he had not received.
United States Singled Out. (
"It cannot but strike anyouu who
has watched the course of ertsnts In
Mexico as significant, that untoward
incidents such as these have not oc
curred in any case where representa
tives of other governments were con
cerned, but only in dealings with rep
resentatives of the United States, and
that there has been no occasion for,
other governments to call attention to
such matters or to ask for apologies.
"These repeated offenses against
the rights and dignity of the United
States, offenses not duplicated with
regard to the representatives of other
governments, have necessarily made
the impression that the government
of the United States was singled out
for manifestations of ill will and con
tempt." THE INSULT FOR WHICH
REPARATION IS DEMANDED
Thursday morning, April 9, a boat's
crew of United States marines, in
command of Assistant Paymaster
Charles' C. Copp, left the gunboat Dol
phin for Tampico to get a fresh supply
of gasoline.
The United States flag was flying
from the stern of the whaleboat when
it approached the landing in Tampico.
Tor no assigned cause . Assistant
Paymaster Copp and his men were
placed under arrest as they stepped
ashore.
Surrounded by a detail of Mexican
Federal troops they were marched up
and down the principal streets of the
city, and finally taken to the police
station, where they were locked up.
One report of the affair says the
United States flag-was snatched from
the stern of the whaleboat when the
arrests were made and carried and sub
jected to the Jeers and hisses of the
antl-Amerlcan populace.
There is no denial of the fact that
the prisoners were made the subjects
of an anti-American demonstration,
though at the time of their arrest they
had Just stepped from a boat flying
the United States flag, were wearing
the uniform of the United States and
were conducting themselves in an or
derly manner.
After the Americans had been de
tained several hours, word of their ar
rest was carried to Rear Admiral
Mayo, who demanded their immediate
release.
The demand was complied with, but
the only reparation made was a brief
expression of regret for the alleged
mistake.
The Difference.
"In these days, when a man thinks
he has won his ladylove, It is a case of
hit or miss."
"In the primitive times when a man
knocked down the girl he fancied, it
was a case of hit and miss."
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