United States chargé d'affaires at Mexico City during controversy with Huerta, who handed him his passports with expressions of personal regret Venustiana Carranza, leader of the Constitutionalist movement against Huerta General Francisco Villa, the fighting man of the far done or refrained from doing has proceeded from our desire to help them, not to hinder or embarrass them. We would not wish even to exercise the good offices of friendship without their welcome and consent. The people of Mexico are entitled to settle their own domestic affairs in their own way and we sincerely desire to respect their right. The present situation need have none of the grave complications of interference if we deal with it promptly, firmly and wisely. No doubt, I could do what is necessary 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 consequence except in close conference and co-operation with both the senate and the house. TO USE FORCE AGAINST HUERTA 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 Gen. Huerta and his adherents the fullest recognition of the rights and dignity of the United States, even amid the distressing conditions now unhappily obtaining in Mexico. There can, in what we do, be no thought of aggression or of selfish 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 else it may be employed for the benefit of mankind. DEBATE IN CONGRESS In the House of Representatives there was sharp debate before the final passage at a night session of the resolution which "justified the use of the armed forces of the United States in enforcing certain demands against Vic toriano Huerta." It was supported by practically all the Democrats, by most of the Progressives, and opposed by thirty Republicans. The final vote was 337 in favor of the resolution and 37 against it. DELAY IN THE SENATE In the Senate there was some delay. Republican senators and some of the Democrats insisted that so serious a step ought not to be taken without giving to the world a more complete justification than the mere statement that Huerta had insulted the flag. Then Senator Lodge introduced a substitute resolution declaring that a state of anarchy had long existed in Mexico, that American citizens had been murdered and their property destroyed, and that, disclaiming any hostility against the Mexican people, the United States was justified in using its armed forces for the protection of its people and the enforcement of its rights. In the hope of hastening action, President Wilson personally visited the capitol Monday evening and conferred with his supporters. Shortly after midnight the Senate adjourned without completing the debate or passing any resolution. Huerta issued a proclamation declaring that all aliens in his capital would be safeguarded. American merchant vessels were ordered to leave the port of Vera Cruz, and there was a rush of refugees from Tampico, Vera Cruz, and Mexico City. On Monday night President Wilson, without waiting for the passage of the Senate resolution, sent orders to Rear-Admiral Fletcher to seize the custom house at Vera Cruz and hold it with a detachment of sailors and marines. The result was as described in the preceding chapter. In the Senate at Washington a hot debate raged all day Tuesday over the wording of the resolution authorizing the use of armed force. Senator Root led the fight |