History of the United States Navy the Panama Canal, which was completed in 1914. The Great White Fleet required almost 50 coaling ships, and during the cruise most of the fleet's coal was purchased from the British, who could deny access to fuel during a military crisis as they did with Russia during the Russo-Japanese War. When United States agents discovered that the German merchant ship "Ypiranga" was carrying illegal arms to Mexico, President Wilson ordered the Navy to stop the ship from docking at the port of Veracruz. On 21 April 1914, a naval brigade of marines and sailors occupied Veracruz. A total of 55
National Council to Prevent Discrimination Presidents of the National Council to Prevent Discrimination, who also chair the Board of Governors, is appointed by the head of the Mexican Federal Government. Presidents of the council have included: National Council to Prevent Discrimination The National Council to Prevent Discrimination (; CONAPRED) is a Mexican government agency created by the Federal Law to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination in 2003 to promote policies and measures to contribute to the cultural and social development and progress in social inclusion and guarantee the right to equality. The National Council to Prevent Discrimination is the independent governing body within the Secretariat of