ON THE BRINK OF WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 April 1914, Page 5

ON THE BRINK OF WAR

AMERICA INSISTENT. HUERTA FLOUTS ULTIMATUM. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.] WASHINGTON, April 20. As General Huerta refused to accede to the unconditional demands of the United States to salute the American flag. Congress will be asked by the President "Or authority to use armed force to uphold the honour and dignity of the nation. The President is on the way to Washington and will read the message iX> Congress at the joint session as early as can be arranged. The President directed that a Cab'net meeting be called early to-day. Final arrangements for the pacific blockade of the .Mexican ports and other steps on the programme will be deliberated. The breacli will make it impossible for the United States to further protect foreigners, and foreign governments have been notified of the situation.

The President will probably ask the Senate to pass the Act already pased by the House providing for the pressing into regular service of the military regiments in the various States. General Huerta disregards the United States ultimatum. (Received this day at 10.35 a.m.) ■WASHINGTON, April 20. Mr W. J. Bryan (Secretary of State) has ordered American merchantmen to leave Mexican waters. An exodus of American residents has begun. UNITED STATES AND MEXICO. HUGE STRIKE MAY OCCUR, [BER PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.] (Received this dav at 10.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 20. Unless within a few hours President Huerta backs down, the United States will break off diplomatic relations, handing Mr Algara, the Mexican Minister, his passports. NEW YORK. April 20. The Industrial Workers of the World threaten if war breaks out with Mexico to create the greatest industrial strike in the history of the United States. The Socialists ar e determined to prevent war at all cost-s. The Attorney-General threatens to arrest all industrial workers.if a strike occurs and charge them with seditious conspiracy. A strict censorship makes it impossible to inform the outs'de world of the trend of events in MexifJ.

It is generally understood that President Huerta. would rather meet the United States in battle than concede anything. President Huerta is endeavouring to form an alliance with General Carranza against America. It' successful, he would be able to put 125,000 men in the field. NATION UPHOLDS PRESIDENT. PREPARATIONS FOR WAR, Received this day at 12.40 p.m. WASHINGTON, April 20Senator Chamberlain (Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee) has introduce.! a bill providing £10,000,000 for war expenditure. The. Committee promptly took the bill under consideration. In addition to the American campaign outlined already. President Wilson proposes to seize Mexican gunboats and railroads extending twenty miles inland. Speaker Clark declares Congress will fully support the President in any action against Mexico. It is certain that the country will also endorse the President's action. The President informed newspaper representatives at a customary White House conference that the United States was not going to war with the Mexican people but with President Huerta. The United States wanted to help Mexico against a man who called himself "President." President Wilson sent a message to a, joint session of Congress, asking its approval to use the armed forces of the United States to maintain the dignity and rights of the nation 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 President Huerta 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 aboard the American war ships. All American freighters have been ordered out of Vera Cruz harbour by the American Admiral. The battleships Virginia, - Nebraska, and Gairgia were ordered to sail from Boston for Tampico on Friday.