The Washington times., 1912-04-29
BUFORD Conveyed
BY TWO TORPEDO
BOAT DESTROYERS
Preble and Perry Go to Sea
From San Diego Under
Sealed Orders.

That the torpedo boat destroyers
Preble and Perry which sailed from San
Diego, Cal, under sealed orders last
night VIII act as a convoy for the
transport Buford, which Is now on its
way to rescue besieged Americans In
Mexico seaport towns, is the general be-
lief in Washington today.
About the State, War and Navy De-
partment extreme reticence prevails
and officials of these bureaus are in
clined to be incensed because the news
has leaked out that the Buford carries
an armed forced of forty enlisted men
under command of Capt. Herbert J.
Brees, of the First Cavalry.
Several apparent reasons for the
secret sailing Of the torpedo boat de-
stroyers were advanced at the State
department. Assistant Secretary of
state Huntington Wilson suggested that
the Preble and Perry probably had btcn
ala in experiments with Wireless
biography. 1t was also pointed oJt
that these vessels could hardly steam
farther than Magdalena bay, inasmuch.
as they carry but small supply OF
coal. But investigation has disclosed
the fact that the collier Promethius will
be In Southern waters in a few days.
may meet the destroyers, and fill their
lIOHl llIue 10 time on Lne cruise.
Another reason advanced for the
sailing OF the torpedo boats Is that
they are to intercept the gunboat
Yorktown now on its way from Qua
tinue to the United states without
stopping at any port.
1t is feared that the oYrtkown by
putting into any Mexican port to coal
cause an outbreak against American
citizens.
On the heels of the announcement
that the Yorktown is steaming north
comes the rumor that 1t may also be
ordered to join the Preble and Perry
in the CONVOY OF the Buford. These
three vessels would form quite a
formidable escort for the transport
ship.
Administration Worried.
That the Administration is more than
ever worried over the trend of affairs
in the southern republic by the increas-
ing holiness of the revoluticnaries in
the western province, Is indicated by
the numerous messages passing between
the state Department and various Uni
ted states consuls in Mexico today.
While no news new has yet been given out
the federats and 0rozco's rebels which
likely Is tn bc fought today, reports
were current abouI the big building that
the conflict had begun already. Unless
this conflict Is decisive. either tor the
IIaderistas or the revolutioraries, Presi-
dent Taft will be placed one step near
er Intervention.
Details of the conference between
the President and several of his Cabinet
yesterday are lacking. but 1t is under
stood the Mexican situation is occupy
ing almost as much of his attention as
the political campaign, which is just
now reaching climax.
Assistant Secretary Of State Wilson
admitted today that the United States
has made no response to the 'proclama-
ton reported to ha%e been filed by the
rebel junta in this city last Saturday
Orozco, in his pronunciamento. bids for
recognition by this Government OF his
belligerency, In the hope that 1t will
strengthen his position. What the rebe
leader will undertake to do should his
request be denied only may be conjec-
tured.
Madero Not Strengthening.
At the same time Madero Is not
strengthening his stand. but Is daily
tottering more to his fall. That is ap-
parently inevitable, and with no strong
er a leader than Orozco to take the
helm a state of affairs will prevail IT
Mexico that cannot but call for inter
vention by this Government. 1t is now
and has been for months the intention
of Mr. Taft and his Administration tC
stall off intervention In the hope thai
the Federals might crush the rebellion
and to this end every means have beer
taken to aid Madero.
Should the landing or the presence
even of the Buford with It's armed
construe the action as forerunnel
Of Intervention the President may b'
forced to meet such contingency b!
sending troops across the border
There are those who expect dire re
suits to follow the rescue Of the be
leagued Americans in west Mexico.