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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (April 21, 1914)
THE MORNING OTtEGOXIATf, TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1914. HELP OF CONGRESS ASKED BY WILSON Sanction of Proposed Course, Not "Needed," Is Wanted by President. INCIDENT NOT "TRIVIAL' Cliiet Kxectitive of Nation In Ad dress Cites Series of Affronts by Huerta and Says War Is Aot Intent of Plan Afoot. "WASHINGTON", April 20 President Wilson laid the Mexican situation be fore Congress in these words: 'It is my duty to call your attention to a situation which haa arisen in our dealings with General , Victoriano Iluerta at Mexico City, which calls for action, and to ask your advice and co operation in acting on It. On the 9th of April a paymaster of the U. S. S. Xolphin landed at Iturblde bridge land ing at Tampico with a whaleboat and crew to take off certain supplies need ed by his ship, and while engaged in loading the boat was arrested by an officer and squad of men of the army of General Huerta. Neither the pay master nor any one of the boat's crew was armed. Two of the men were in the boat when the arrest took plac. and were obliged to leave it and sub mit to be taken into custody, notwith standing the fact that the boat carried both at her bow and at her stern the flag of the United States. The officer who made the arrest was proceeding up one of the streets of the town with his prisoners, when met by an officer of higher authority, who ordered him to return to the landing and await or ders, and within an hour and a half from the time of the arrest orders were received from the commander of the Huertlsta forces at Tampico for the release of the paymaster and his men. Americana Not Advised. "The release was followed by apologies from the commander and later by an expression of regret by General Huerta himself. General Huerta urged that martial law obtained at the time at Tampico, that orders had been issued that no one should be allowed to land at the Iturbide bridge and that our sailors had no right to land there. Our Naval commanders at the port had not been notified of any such prohibition, and, even if they had been, th only justifiable course open to the local authorities would have been to request the paymaster and his crew to with draw and to lodge a protest with the commanding officer of the fleet. "Admiral Mayo regarded the arrest as so serious an affront that he was not satisfied with the apologies offered, but demanded that the flag of the United States be saluted with special ceremony by the military commander of the port. "The incident cannot be regarded as a trivial one, especially as two of the men arrested were taken from the boat itself that is to say, from the territory of the United States; but, had it stood by itself, it might have been attrib uted to the ignorance or arrogance of a single officer. Unfortunately, it was not an isolated case. Other Event Affronts, Also. "A series of incidents has recently occurred which cannot but create the impression that the representatives of General Huerta were willing to go out of their way to show disregard for the dignity and rights of this Government and felt perfectly safe in doing what they pleased, making ..ee to show in many ways their irritation and con tempt. A few days after the Incident at Tampico an orderly from the United States steamship Minnesota was ar rested at Vera Cruz, while ashore In uniform to obtain the ship's mall and was for a time thrown Into Jail. An official dispatch from this Government to its Embassy at Mexico City was withheld by the authorities of the tel egraph service until peremptorily de manded by our Charge d'Affaires in person. So far as I can learn, such wrongs and annoyances have been suf fered only to occur against represen tatives of the United States. 1 have heard of no complaints from other governments of similar treatment. Subsequent explanations and formal apologies did not and could not alter the popular Impression, which it Is possible it had been the object of the Huertlsta authorities to create, that the Government of tne United States was being singled out and might be singled out with impunity for slights and affronts in retaliation for Its re fusal to recognize the pretenses of General Huerta to be regarded as "the constitutional provisional President of Mexico. "The manifest danger of such a situ ation was that such offences might prow from bad to worse until some thing happened of so gross and in tolerable a sort as to lead directly and inevitably to armed conflict. It was necessary that the apologies of Gen eral Huerta and. his representatives should go much further, that they should bo such as to attract the at tention of the whole population to their significance and. such as to Im press on General Huerta himself the necessity of seeing to it that no furth er occasion for explanations and pro fessed regrets should arise. I, there fore, felt it my duty to sustain Ad miral Mays in the whole of his de mand and to Insist that the flag of the United btates should be saluted in such u. way as to indicate a new spirit and attitude on the part of the Huertistas. "Such a salute General Huerta has refused, and I have come to ask your approval and support in the course I now purpose to pursue. To Avert War Is Hope. i Ms government can, I earnestly nope, in no circumstances, be forced into war with the people of Mexico. Mexico is torn by civil strife. If we are to accept the tests of its own con stitution, it has no Government. Gen eral Huerta has set his power ud In the City of Mexico, such as it is, with out right and by methods for which there can be no Justification. Only pun or me country is under his con trol. If armed, conflict should un happily come as a result of his atti tude of personal resentment towards in is Government, we should be fight in--? only General Huerta and those wiio adhere to rum and give him their support, and our object would be only to restore to the people of the dis tracted republic, the opportunity to set up again their own laws and their own government. But I earnestly hope that war is not now In question. I believe that 1 speak for the Amer.can people when 1 say mat we do not desire to control In any degree the affairs of our sister re public. Our feeling for the people of Mexico is one of deep ana genuine i icn-uonijj. ana every tiling that we nave so rar done --r refrained from lias proceeded fron; . .r desire to help them, not to hinder embarrass them. Wo would not wish even to exercise the good otliccs of friendship without ineir welcome ana consent. The Deo- .ple of Mexico are entitled- to settle their own domestic affairs In their own way and we sincerely desire to respect their right. "No doubt I could do what Is neces sary In the circumstances to enforce respect for our Government without recourse to the Congress, and yet not exceed my' constitutional powers as President; but I do not wish to act In a matter possibly of so grave conse quence except In close conference and co-operation with both the Senate and House. I, therefore, come to ask your approval that I should use the armed forces of the United States in such ways and to such an extent as may be necessary to obtain from General Huerta and his adherents the fullest recognition of the rights and dignity of the United States, even amidst the distressing conditions now unhappily obtaining In Mexico. "There can. in what we do, be no t. ought of aggression or of Belflsh aggrandizement." We seek to maintain the dignity and authority of the United States only because we wish always to keep our great influence unimpaired for the uses of liberty, both In the United States and wherever It may be employed for the benefit of mankind." WAR NOT NEAR-WILSON PRESIDENT TELLS REPORTERS THAT IS NOT INTENT. Demand for Justice and Dlgrnlty Need Not Eventuate Into Conflict Is Executive's Word to Papers. WASHINGTON, April 20. President Wilson today told the newspaper cor respondents that there would be no war .with Mexico.. The President said: "I want to say to you gentlemen, do not get the Impression that there is about to be war between the United States and Mexico. That is not the outlook at present, at all. In the first placein no conceivable circumstances will we fight the people of Mexico. We are their friends and we want to help In every way that we can to recover their rights and their government and their laws, and the present 1 am going to Congress to present a special situation and seek their approval to meet that special situation. "It is only an issue between ' this Government and a person calling him self the Provisional President of Mex ico, whose right to call himself such we have never recognized In any way. "So that I had a feeling of uneasi ness as I read the papers this morning. as if the country were getting on fire with war enthusiasm. I have no en thusiasm for war; I have an enthusi asm for justice and for the dignity of the United States, but not for war. And this need not eventuate Into war if we handle It with firmness and promptness." - The President emphasized that he had not lost his patience with Mexico, for to lose patience seemed to him an act of weakness on the part of a per son strong enough to do as he ought; but that he felt such In-idents as re cent ones might go from bad t worse and eventually bring about a state of conflict. KITS ARE LOOKED OVER GARRISON AT FORT STEVENS CAN LEAVE ON HOUR'S NOTICE. Scores of Telegrams Received From Discharged Soldiers Askine to Be Restored to Commissions. FORT STEVENS. Or., April 20. (Spe cial.) -Since 11 o'clock this morning Fort Stevens has been the scene of ac tive preparations for a possible order to leave at once for the Mexican fron tier. A portion of the troops have been inspected personally by Colonel Ludlow, the commanding officer, and the remainder are to go through a sim ilar Inspection of war equipment to morrow. Particular attention was de voted to field" equipment, including tentage, blanket rolls and mess kits. It is announced authoritatively that within one hour after the order to leave arrives the 400 regulars manning the coast defenses at" the mouth of the river can be ready to depart. The gen eral opinion seems to prevail that they will be among the first 'to be ordered to the front in an effort to conduct a whirlwind campaign. As the Mex icans have no fleet and cannot con duct an aggressive action the coast defenses would be utilized as Infantry and field artillery. In both of these branches they are instructed thoroughly, the usual drills having been increased lately so as to include training in the handling of field artillery guns, siege artillery and machine guns. Special groups of the better qualified men have been receiving instructions in signaling, which includes the helio graph and wireless apparatus. Regular drills are Including field exercises, intrenching and instructions In first aid to the wounded. Over 2.000,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, a score of field pieces and about 10 machine guns will' be part of the war material .available for instantaneous use. , Scores of telegrams have been re ceived from discharged soldiers re questing to be re-enlisted in the com mands from which they have been discharged. MILITIA OFFICERS CONTINUE ROUTINE War Excitement Is All on Out side and Recruiting Shows Increasing Activity. GUARD READY, SAYS MAJOR Atmosphere in Adjutant-General FInzer's Ofrice One of "Watchful Waiting" and General Goes to Seek Encampment Site. The war dogs in the office of Adjutant-General Finzer. commander of the Oregon National Guard, did not strain at their leashes in the least yes terday. Routine buzzed serenely about the rooms as though there were noth ing to the hundreds of screaming news boys that were momentarily Invading Mexico and beginning the bombard ment of Tampico In the street below. The atmosphere of the place was de cidedly one of watchful 'waiting. "The busiest thing about this office Is the telephone," remarked Major Knapp. "If people would quit calling up every minute to ask when the Oregon National Guard Is to march on Mexico, we could get a whole lot more work done. "There is not an order from Wash ington. ' The principal news of the war that we are getting is from the news papers, and there is no need for the Oregon National Guard to resort to any feverish activity right now. Whole Guard Ready. "We are ready for anything that may come up. The whole guard is Teady and has been ready for months. So in this office we have simply nothing to do but go along with our routine work and when any order comes from Wash ington, we will simply carry it out." In the meantime, Adjutant-General Finzer was so little worried by the sit uation that he was not in the office. He had gone away ealry In the morn ing to Gearhart, to select a site for the July encampment. With him went Adjutant-General Patch, of the Idaho National Guard, who contemplates Join ing the Oregon Guard in the Summer camp; Colonel Martin. Major Clayton, from the Vancouver " Barracks, and Captain McLaughlin, of the United States Army, Instructor of the Oregon Guard. Confident that the guard can be mob ilized within " few hours and in readi ness for anything that may come up, the officers are expressing no excite ment. Recruiting; Is Active. The excitement is mostly on the, out side, and it appears that there is likely to be a rush from the outside to get in side and be ready for the war If it comes. Chief Surgeon L. J. Wolf, of the Oregon Naval Militia, received nearly a score of applications from men who wish to enlist in the naval re serve for service if the United States goes to war with Mexico. Recruiting in the National Guard shows increasing activity as well. The recruiting office in the Armory was open from 8:30 to 10:30 o'clock last night and all officers of the medical corps were on duty to examine the ap plicants. Company F. United States Engineer Corps, consisting of 108 men, passed through Portland en route from Van couver for Gilroy, Cal. Captain R. C Moore was in command. Orders to go to Gilroy were received, according to Captain Moore, two weeks ago, and the troops happened to start today. The company belongs to a battalion that is scattered along the border between the United States and Mexico and which is being mobilized. OREGON ORDER IS EXPECTED Coast Artillery Corps Instructor Thinks Troops Will Bo Called. EUGENE, Or, April 20. (Special.) Captain, R. W. Collins, United States Army officer detailed to instruct the Oregon Coast Artillery Corps, declares that if the American fleet attempts to seize Tampico or Vera Cruz, the eight companies of Coast Artillery in Oregon undoubtedly will be sent to Mexico. He expects a call at any mo ment and says that his companies can be mobilized in Clackamas in 40 hours. "It is inevitable that the artillery companies in Oregon will go if any move is made in Mexico. I believe that if any attempt Is made to occupy any Mexican port, the United States troops will be attacked, and that ac tive operations will be opened. It is my belief that It in -a deliberate plan on the part of Huerta to 'save his face' In the approach of the constitu tionalists. " "The Oregon Coast Artillery Corps can be ready to start within 40 hours." STRENGTH OF FORCES ORDERED TO MEXICO . The following shows the total strength of the United States ves sels now ordered against Mexico, including yesterday"s additions: AT VERA CRt'Z. Two battleships, 1820 men, 120 marines. - Prairie, 260 men. 500 marines. AT TAMPICO. Two battleships, 1820 men, 13.0 marines. Des Moines. 240 men: Chester, 300 men, 200 marines; Dolphin. 1810 men; San Francisco, 400 men: Solace, hospital ship; Hancock, transport, 950 marines. Total at Tampico and Vera Cruz, C020 men, 1890 marines. WITH REAR-ADMIRAL BADGER, EN ROUTE TO TAMPICO. Eight battleships. 7280 men, 500 marines. Tacoma, 240 men; Nash ville. 180 men. Total with Rear-Admiral Badger. 7700 men, 600 ma rines. EN ROUTE FROM PENS A COL A TO TAMPICO. Birmingham, 300 men; Dixie, repair ship; fourteen destroyers, 1150 men. - The summary of the total forces in the Gulf of Mexico follows: Sailors, 14,170; . marines, 2900; officers, 700; total, 17,860. PACIFIC COAST FORCES, MEXICAN COAST. Raleigh, 350 men; New Orleans. 350 men; Annapolis, 150 men; Torktown, 180 men; Glacier, supply ship; California, 900 men and 60 marines. Total, 1930. EN ROUTE TO MEXICAN COAST. South Dakota and Jupiter, 860 marines; Cleveland. 350 men: Chat tanooga. 350 men; Maryland. 900 men and 60 marines. Total, 1600 men and 920 marines. Total on West Coast and en route, 3530 men. Torpedo flotilla at San Diego, Cal.: Five destroyers, 250 men, 15 of ficers. . Grand total, 17,950 sailors, 3970 marines and 855 officers. HUERTA FORCES ESTIMATED AT 40,000. WASHINGTON, April 20. Estimates at the War Department today put the armed forces of the Huerta government in Mexico at about 40.000, well scattered throughout the country. According to the Department's figures, there are 6000 troops in Mex ico City: about 6000 around Saltillo. South of Torreon; 2500 In the State of Sonora; 2000 in Sinaloa; 800 In Teplc; 6000 In Jalisco: 1100 in Collma; 4500 In Zacatecas; 1250 In Guerrero and scattering bands In the other southern provinces. On the East Coast there are said to be about 1500 in Nuevo Lare do, about 2500 In San Luis Potosi, 4100 in Vera Cruz, about 1000 In Puebla and 800 in Morelos. 25 Reduction on all Picture Framing cUtt man Merchandise of J Merit Only &2 1 Madame Du Barry will be the subject of French Lecture Today Mezzanine Floor. I I to 1 2 A. M An Exceptional Trimmed Hat Sale $2.95 100 Flower, Wing and Ribbon Trimmed Models Regular $5.00 to $7.50 Of course we have seen costlier hats, but at this'particular price the collection is so excep tional that we take pleasure in presenting them to our patrons. - There are just 100 hats,V07 ONE OF THEM SHOWN BEORE THIS SEASON,spkk, span, new; in widely varied styles' in most becoming shapes. Flat hats with ribbons and posies nestling under the brim. New sailors trimmed with jaunty wings and with wreaths, and with ribbon. Hats for very youthful faces in many distinctive models. Hats for matrons and older women. In black and in colors. The Watteau and the Bandeau shapes, trimmed in styles that reflect the latest millinery modes, Second Floor fflXl- - T The New Balmaccan Coats Are Here That So Many of Our Patrons Are Awaiting ARegular $22.50 Model, Special $16.50 This purchase of fine overcoats comes just at the? right time for Spring and Summer wear. They are made of English tweeds in the loose swinging English Balmaccan style. Can be had in gray or brown mixtures. They are smartly cut, with raglan sleeves, 48 inches long and deep side pockets. These are the coats that will be worn so extensively this sea son for general use, for the mountains, steamer wear and for automobiling. Many of our patrons have been requesting a coat of this style at a popular price, and we were fortunate in securing this special assortment to retail at $1 6.50, and if bought and sold in the regu lar Way WOuld COSt $22.50. Third Floor. The New Corsets For Spring Modes -All the most popular makes, together with such corsets as are exclusive with us, showing all the variations in fabric and figure. Hip confiners and boneless, low bust models, in suede, tricot, fancy broche, batiste, coutil, rubber and combination ma terials. Modart front lace corsets, $2.50 to $25.00. La Vida corsets, $3.50 to $20. Smart Set corsets, $4 to $12.50. -Bien Jolie tricot corsets, $3.50 to $15.00. , C. B. corsets, $1.00 to $5.50. W. B. Nuform, $1.00 to $5.00. Nadia Corsets, 95c to $3.50. Nemo corsets, $2.00 to $10.00. Etoile de France corsets, $5.00 to $15.00. This store is the only store in Portland employing five expert corset fitters. And this splendid service is free to you. Fonrtb Floor. ECONOMY BASEMENT STORE Selling Merchandise Only When Sold for LESS Than Staple Prices . It Carries No Regular StocRs The Only Essentials Dependability in Quality and Special in Price MEN! Imported Swiss Collars OF LACE AND BATISTE Selling Regularly from 65c, 75c to $1 Economy Price 39c These collars are most remarkable for "the price; they are fashioned for coats, dresses and waists. In new and becoming shapes of fine French batiste and St. Gaul Venise lace, in various designs. Dainty Millinery Wreaths Selling Regularly to $1.25 Economy Price 69c Millinery wreaths are now in greatest demand for trimming early Summer hats. In this assortment you will find the most desirable blossoms and buds in a great variety of colorings. These are shown for the first time Tuesday in our economy basement store. A. -v' 1 1 - 95c Cretonne Covered Pillows FILLED WITH SILK FLOSS Economy Price 63c 500 24 by 24-inch cretonne-covered pil lows in an immense assortment of beautiful designs and colorings in novelty cretonnes. Suitable for porches, canoes, Summer homes and cottages. Princess Slips, Combinations, Skirts, Chemise and ! Corset Covers Selling Regularly to $1.50 Economy Price 69c Extra fine quality stamped underwear, ready for working, in an assortment of de signs. These garments are very attract ively trimmed with Valenciennes lace, and are an exceptional bargain at this price. All sizes. 25c and 35c Women's Hosiery 18c Of fine cotton in medium weight soft, fine and durable, with garter top ; fast black, white or tan. 25c Children's Stockings' 18c Silk plated stockings, fine ribbed, in pure white, pink, sky, cardinal or pretty tan. Sizes 4 to 6. 18c Women's Vests Special 12 l-2c. Vests of white cotton, swiss ribbed, low' neck, short or no sleeves, full and long, nicely trimmed and finished. $1.00 Novelty Vanity Cases OF GERMAN SILVER. Economy Price 48c These vanity cases are made of Ger man silver in stripe . silver and Tula or Spanish finish. They are fitted with mir ror, two coin holders and a receptacle for powder puff, carried by link chain to match. 5c Revol Snap Fasteners 7c Made by the Koh-I-N-oor Co. Economy Price lc Doz. 5000 gross are placed on sale again for our economy store patrons. These fasteners come in white and black in all sizes. 7V New Wash Bonnets and Hats Always Sold at 75c Economy Price 59c Attractive little sun hats of pink and white or blue and white check ginghams, or plain white. Made with drooping brims with scal loped edges and tarn crowns. The sunbon nets are of blue or pink chambray or blue and pink check ginghams, buttons on the covers, turn-back brims and scalloped edge and long ties. Linen Pound Paper Economy Sale, 15c Box We will place on sale Tuesday" about 1 000 pounds of fine white linen paper, 1 00 sheets to the box, regular full size. Envelopes to match the paper, 8c a, package. 25c Box Paper 15c Fine linen or vellum finished paper, 24 sheets and 24 envelopes in the box. In vari ous cuts and styles, representing broken lines and samples selling regularly as high as 35c the box. , 40c Shears, Special 15c 500 pairs in the lot just the shear for around the garden use, sizes to 8 inches, nickel or Japan handles. 25c Silk Plaited Colored Socks In the Latest Summer Shades Economy Price 17c Men's Summer hose, made from fine quality silk plated thread. Reinforced in heels and toes and made with double soles. This hose is equal to the best 35c and 25c grades and has the finish of the still higher grades. In navy blue, tan, grays, heliotrope, purple, cadet, green and wine. In sizes from 9J2 to 1 1 J2- 85c Housedress Apron Economy Price 59c An entirely new style housedress apron oF best-quality percale looks just exactly like a housedress. with side-button front, round neck, kimono sleeves, belted in the back and pockets. Fancy figured patterns, dots and stripes in light and dark colors. 12c Dutch Dust Caps 7c An assortment of these caps to match the above housedress aprons. 35c Fitted Work Aprons CINCH AM. PERCALE. CHAMBRAY Economy Price 15c We direct attention that these fitted work aprons are full size, well made, full length, of good quality gingham, chambray and percale in plain colors, as well as light and dark patterns in checks, polka dots and nurse's stripes. Trimmed with bias bandings, fitted bib fast ening in the back, all with pockets. 50c Boudoir Caps 38c An assortment of dainty caps made of plain and fancy secco silk plain China silk, com bined with insertions of net and lace, plaited net frill around the face and finished with dainty rosebuds. EXTRA SPECIAL 200 Dozen Cape Gloves $1.25 FIRST QUALITY Economy Price 75c These gloves were sent us by one of the largest American glove makers especially for the economy basement store. They are first quality cape gloves, one-clasp style. P. X. M. sewn. They come in tan shades and are one of the most satisfactory gloves made for gen eral wear. We limit the quantity to two pairs to each customer. 40c Silk Dress Shields 15c Fine white silk dress shields in regular and crescent cut styles, sizes 2, 3 and 4, fully guaranteed. 35c Dress Shields 10c These shields come in sizes 3 and 4, and are regular cut shields, and every shield is perfect and guaranteed. 50c Gaiment Shields 25c A perfect fitting garment shield, de tachable style for dress or corset. Sizes 3. 4 and 5. 500 Dozen Lunch Napkins Regular 50c Economy Price 29c Doz. These napkins come in several designs and are guaranteed to wash and wear well. They are hemmed ready for use and are offered less than wholesale cost. Size 1 3 by 13 inches.