The Gravest Crisis

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 20 April 1914, Page 5

The Gravest Crisis

SINCE SPANISH-AMERICAN \VAR. CHE TASK OF HUMBLING H CERT A. I WILL HE FIGHT? AMERICAS t'ORMLLATED PLAN OF By Cable- Pnws Association—Copyright Received 20, 1-2.35 a.m. Washington, April 19. The State Department admits that the present Mexican situation is the gravest crisis since the Spanish-American -war. The Congressional leaders decided to give the President full power to use the army and navy for any purposes necessary to secure the salute as demanded. President Wilson outlines his plan of campaign, including the seizure of Tampico and Vera Cruz, including a section of the railway for a considerable distance inland. ' Authorities on international law declare that such action is not interna-, tionally an act of war, but it is proliable that Huerta will so regard it. Euerta has sent -three messages requesting a simultaneous salute, but Cabtoet refused even to discuss them. A summary of the whole question has been cabled to foreign Governments, whose Ministers are closely in touch with the State Department's activities. Hundreds of special Press representatives are kept informed by the Department Hourly of the developments. Press comment is fairly moderate in K. tone, but generally approves of the President's aetion.

THE UNITED STATES' ULTIMATUM. New York, April 17. Mr. Bryan 'has instructed Mr. ♦'Shaugnessey to inform Huerta that the United States will accept nothing less than a salute of twenty-one guns, the American ships replying immediately thereafter. Mr. Bryan intimates that this can be construed as an ultimatum. It k believed that Huerta is likely to comply. > Washington, April 17. At the eleventh hour Huerta demanded that the United States fleet should answer gun for gun of the Mexican salute. The American Cabinet was hastily and refused the demand, and decided to allow the fleet to proceed to enforce the salute as originally fixed. Cabinet was practically unanimous that no further time be given to Huerta to comply with American demands. Huerta's latest demand was considered to be merely .i move to maintain his own prestige in the eyes cf his countrymen. " It is pointed out that a return of the salute gun for gun will make the apology valueless.

A TIME SKT FOR COMPLIANCE. Received 19, 5.5 p.m. Washington, April 18. The American ultimatum provides .Uiat Huert.a must salute the flag before p.m. on Sunday, otherwise the President will meet Congress in a joint session an Monday to take steps to enforce the demands. The seizure of Tampico, it is understood, will be the first step.

MEXICO'S ATTITUDE UXIvNOWX. CLOSE SECRECY OBSERVED. Received 19, 5.5 p.m. Mexico City, April IS. Cabinet met to consider the American temands. The result of the meeting is ■ot known. Close secrecy is observed. ©AN INTERVENTION BE AVOIDED? OPINION IN THE UNITED STATES. New Y#rk, March 13. In politics one topic is of such overwhelming interest as to exclude almost everything else from public attention. Tills is the state of affairs across the Mexican border. For the last two weeks the relations of this country with its sister republic in the south have been eictremely critical. That the administration could avoid intervening baa seemed from day to day almost impossible. For the first time since the assassination of Madero unmistakable signs fcave developed of popular agitation in favour 'of armed intervention. The killing of the British citizen Benton i$ wliat brought matters to a crisis. On tbp of that has come the evidence that the American citizen Vergera was probably tortured before he was killed by the revolutionary soldiers and the invasion of Mexican territory by armed men from Texas who recovered Vergera s body live miles across the border line.

So far as war is concerned, iliere lias been * surprising change ill l!ie public sentiment since tlie days of the insurrection in Culin. In those days from tile Atlantic to the Pacific was heard the clamour for intervention by American troops. The public did not count the cost. There had been so many years of prosperous peace that war at* last acpmcd to be a necessary excitement to break the monotony. And at Inst so loud did the clamour become, and so strong the pressure against the Administration, that the Government was compelled to yield, and declare war a.nainst Spain. Perhaps it was the lesson taught by the cost of that war in lives and money t-Jiat was responsible for an al-mo-t total alisi'iicc of war spirit during tlie troubles in Mexico until the last two weeks. Yet almost since the «■>- Ba.«Mnntion i>f Vadero there lias been ■fully as much reason for intervention as tliere ever was. during the revolution in Cuba. P.ut to-day tlie war party finds at th« keim of the siiip of State a President who is truly marvellous in liis eontro! •f affairs. His firm (hold over Congress las cot once been loosened. The law

makers seem to be hypnotised by Ibis former University president who has suddenly developed into such an adroit and powerful statesman. President Wilson lias set his face resolutely against war. and the great majority of citizens bare a sublime confidence in his ability to arert it. ilis situation, however, is undoubtedly becoming more dillieult from day io day. His policy iu regard to Mexico is being assailed by factional leader* iu both House and Senate as cowardly and shameful. Instead of being disturbed by these facts, the President has ordered three more regiments to the -Mexican border to ensure, no further invasions of foreign territory by armed citzcns of Texts. There are now 18.00(1 soldiers pal rolling the borderline, which extends for one thousand miles. Tliat is almost half of the entire sUuding armv of the United Stat'es.