War in the Air

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 22 April 1914, Page 5

War in the Air

AMERICA AND MEXICO. PUTTING AN END TO HUERTA'S EULE. AMERICAN PLANS OUTLINED BATTLESHIPS' BLOCKADE. AMERICANS ORDERED OUT OF MEXICO.

Sy OaMe—Press Association—Copyright Washington, April 20. President Wilson has sent a message to the Joint session of Congress asking it approval to use the armed forces of the United States to maintain its dignity and rights in Mexico. The President hoped that war with Mexico would not arise. His feeling for the Mexicans was one of real friendship, but it was necessary to obtain assurances from Hnerta that the United States would be respected in future. The United States did not hold any .thought of aggression or self-aggrandisement. Preparations for war are proceeding •board the American warships. All the American freighters have been ordered out of Vera Cruz Harbor by the American Admiral. Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the

Military Affairs Committee, introduced « Bill providing ten millions sterling for C war expenditure. The Military Committee promptly took the Bill under consideration. In addition to the American campaign outlined already, Mr. Wilson proposes to seize the Mexican gunboats and the railroad extending twenty miles' inland.

Speaker Clark declares that Congress will fully support the President in any •ction against Mexico. It is certain the" country will endorse the President's course.

Major-General Wood has been appointed to command the land forces. The President informed newspaper representatives at the customary White House conference that the United States was not going to war with .the Mexican people, but with Huerta. The United States wanted to help Mexico ■gainst the man who called himself President. The battleships Virginia, Nebraska »nd Georgia have been ordered to sail from Boston for Tampico on Friday. ■ Mr. Bryan has ordered American merchantmen to leave Mexican waters. An exodus of American residents has bcfurJ.

; Unless within a few hours Huerta backs down, the United States will break off diplomatic relations, handing Algara, the Mexican Minister, his passports.

New York, April 20.

The Industrial Workers of the World threaten that if war breaks out with Mexico to create the greatest industrial strike in the history of the United States. The Socialists are determined to prevent war at all costs. The Attorney-General threatens to all the industrial workers if a »trike occurs and charge them with seditious conspiracy.

A strict censorship makes it impostible to inform the outside world of the trend of events in Mexico. It is generally understood that Huerta would rather meet the United States in battles than concede anything. Euerta is endeavoring to form an alliance with General Carranza against America. If successful, he will be able to put 125,000 men in the field.

HUERTA'S EXPLANATION

MARTIAL LAW OBTAXED.

AND AMERICAN MARINES WERE

OUT OF BOUNDS.

AM ERICA I' NA FFECTED.

Washington, April 20. Americans have been ordered to leave Mexico without delay. The President admitted in his speecli to Congress that Huerta hail urged that martial law obtained at Tampieo when the Americans were arrested,, and no one was allowed under (he circumstances t.7 land where the Americans landed: hence their arrest. A President Wilson pointed out that

the American, commanders were never notified of any see!, prohibition, and even if they had be -n notilieil the request for .the withdrawal of the Americans would have been the proper course instead of arresting (hem. The Anioassadors, including Sir Cecii

Spring-Rice, British Atnbas-ador, filled the front row of flic Oongrc--=. cillery. The Foreign AHu-rs Committee imnH't'iatcly reported its resolution, giving the President tlie necessary powers (o deal with tlie situation. The President lias called a meeting of the Cabinet officers.

AMERICA AS A FRIEND OF MEXICO. Received 21. 10.-20 p.m. London, April 21. ' English newspapers give prominence to President Wilson's statement that

"there is no war with Mexico, and that i" 1 the.issue is between tlie United States Government and a person calling himself a provi-donal President, whose right is not recognised; and that, we are Mexico's friends. Vnder no circumsCmce* would we ficriit the Mexican people. Even the seizure of Tampico Rnd Vera Cruz would not lie an act of war." J3a President Wi'son quoted the-British IP ■.. '

occupation of Corinto during the Nkar aguan trouble in 1895.

PRESIDENT'S DECLARATION

CRITICISED.

OVERTHROW HUERTA AND HELP

VILLA.

"A BLOOD-STAINED CRIMINAL."

Received 21, 8.20 pan. London, April 20.

The Daily Tclrrniph says Ilucrta has framed his ili-i.imls in order to lend color .to the suggestion that the United States had recognised (him. "Huerta's recent demands had given the United States an opportunity of correcting an attitude which filled the patriotic Americans with dismay. It is incredible that .the United States, after overthrowing Huerta, should leave Mexico to a blood-stained criminal like Villa."

opposition; in the senate.

AMERICA NOT AFTER TERRITORY.

MERELY LAW AND ORDER. Received 21, 10.20 p.m. Washington, April 20.

The House adopted a resolution empowering, the President to use armed forces against Mexico by 337 to 37. Some opposition developed in the Senate against the resolution, and the debate is apparently likely to continue throughout the night. Objection is taken to President Wilson's attempt to individualise Huerta, as one speaker phrased it.

I The President, addressing the newspaper correspondents, declared: "In no : conceivable circumstances will we fight the people of Mexico." The Press criticise this declaration as likely to lead to further trouble, as unless a bold front is presented' to Mexico Huerta will not give way. President Wilson added that if, however, Mexico declared war, the United States did not desire to add any territory, but merely to intervene in order to restore law and order in a much-dis-turbed country.

WHATHUERTA SAYS.

STATEMENT TO PRESS AGENCY.

NO INSULT OFFERED.

TO THE AMERICAN FLAG.

Received 21, 11.25 p.m. Mexico City, April 20.

Huerta, in a statement to the American Press Agency, desired to emphasise the fact that no American flag appeared on the boat at Tampico. Consequently no insult thereto was offered.

President Wilson had evidently been misinformed, for the American flag had nothing to do with the case.

Huerta wished the American people to fully understand this.

Washington, April 20.

The Senate adjourned without approving the President's proposals. The strong objection may cause the Administration to refrain from forcing the issue.

THE FINANCIAL BAROMETER,

STOCKS AT A LOW LEVEL.

Received 21, 10.25 p.m.

New York, April 20.

Stocks have reached a record, low figure for the year. There is little nervousness, however.

HUERTA.S METHODS,

THE DEATH OP WILLIAM

BEXTON.

AVilliam .Smith Benton, whose deatli has hastened the crisis in .Mexico, though described as en Englishman, was. in reality, a Scot, He was a native of Keig. Aberdeenshire, ami left home to joii, liis bro.aer and cousin in Texas in 1ST!). At that time lie was hcl-wcn eighteen and nineteen years of age. -o that when he red his ,i,'-th he. would be about fifty-three. His father. .James Benton, was tenant of Airlie larm. and was one of four brothers, all of who<:i held land in the Keig and Alford districts of Scotland's north-eastern county. Prom the parish ,-chool at Keig William lieulou went to the (.ramimir School at Ah. vdeen. afterwards to a -school in Derbyshire, and then bccaaio a student »i Aberdeen I nivcrsity. Afie.r joining his brother .lames am! his cousin William in Te.as. he and his relatives engaged in ranching mid ivan-port work. The statement that the three Mcntoiis wen- successful i n the business of eold and silver mining is doubled by their relation., in Scotland, who stale (hat. while William was f.iidv rich. She other two bad. for 50,,,,, unknown reason, been much Ic.-s fortunate. Wihi.im was next heard of as removing to Mexico, marrying a .Mexican ladv. named Maxima, and nettling down in the land of revolutions upon an oxtoii-iw- ranch.

Ceii.-ral \ ilia and hi -, rebel u-oop,, according to the iiifoniiatioii current in Aberdeenshire, had committed repealeil and M-i-ion, <lc|ir..,]nlW,!,- in I'e-M.mV neighbour hood, mid llenioii in time was 'among! the from thr.-c apvarenth- endless fora cs. li.ntcn is described as having been a -tr.iiulil forward, fearless Scotsman, and right'-.-blaming ..en";-'.! Mil;, for the 1,,...-,,'< he was -.n-tai'iiii" h- decided upon a dent.!.. 1, -.v.!'. p,-esei',i." I,as VonviMde'l' to Scotland a. vi< id ih -cripiion uf tlie -eene whan en-lied: -"-Voii and your men are bandits, pure and simple.' said Denton, bealidly. 'You've taken liiy hor-es. ci.'.-t i-nyi-il my property, damI aired me in every wav: vet \on pose before the world as civilised ' wtrriors tigbliug for yonr count n. ourY iig.iting for loot and power:'

Villa i"-e from hehind a small desk, shaking hi, linger ai Mr. liciiton. and shouted. -You're a fed. ral -vnmal |ji ■-. Vou aided the assa-sius of Ma.'.-ro .n of the 'count 1 v.' Villa then slapped Mr", lieirtoii on the fere. '■•|)nun vou. Panclm Villa. I'm as good a man ■-.- Von are.' Mr. Ilenton retorled. and threw himself at the giant rebel, who fe'leil him with his revolver. The Mexican add* tVU he an i others present then d'.shcd out of flic room,

ignorant of what Villa did. Hut according to another unnamed witness the body of Mr. Benton shortly afterwards was kicked out of a back door and., hidden under a mass of rubbish. ■*

A PKN PICTURI ;

"HUKRTA ENIGMATIC, INEXOR

ABLE.

An English correspondent, now in Mexico, thus describe* Huerta upon his Arrival at a .bull flgljfL:—"A sudden burst of acclamations. In a moment all the people in the plaza are on their feet. Thousands of handkerchiefs are waved, causing above the tiirong an immense white fluttering, a a though a great (light of doves were circling in the arena. Every 'hat is being waved m tue air. People no longer lon* at the bull; the matadors arc forgotten: all attention is passionately turned towards a man who lias come in by the ordinary entrance ami is descending alone to occupy a position at the barrier among the spectators like anv ordinary ■aficionado.' He is the President of the Republic. ( was not expecting so simple-looking a despot. Uiil the enigmatic, tenacious, inexorable, implacable strong man who at' present rules the destinies of the country always appears. in tliis manner in tin- midst of his people. lie. goes to tea in one of the tea-rooms ot. the Avenida San Francisco, enters a bar to oiler an aperitif .to a friend, ami stops somewhere to make ,a purchase from a fruitsellcr at a street corner, then walks home with the hag of fruit - i„ iiis hand. The people :>! Mexico, descended from warriors, admire courage above every other imalily. Ami so far they have a deep and warm sympathy for Huerta, who. it must lie admitted, does not know the in-cning ol fear. His audacitv is impo-dntr. In politic- lie plavs fearlessly with the revolution as (he torero phi v.- with the bull, and he stands alone' confront inc.' d:i;i:.r"rs and (hrcaN. His people auplaml. tint evpeet f,..,,,; i,,, i|,,. de!!,./,:,. I !■"!■■.■'of the sword. And if the coup should iro ami-s. (hen It i- a difficult public to please."'