New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-22
FederaIS and Rebels Delay
Fighting, but Battle Can
not Long Be Avoided.
MUST PROTECT AMERICANS
U. S. Makes Representations to
Madero and Diaz-Navy
May Interfere if Block
AIDE Is Effected.
From The Tribune Bureau. !

Washington, Oct. I.-Uncertainty exists
here over the situation at Vera Cruz, but
the Department Of State has made strong
representations both to the Madero gov
eminent and to Felix Diaz, the rebel
chief, that American rights must be re-
spected.
Conferences were held to-day between
Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson, who has
Just returned from Mexico City, and the
Secretary Of State and the Assistant Sec
rotary Of State, Huntington Wilson. NO
action was taken after the conference, al
though the State Department officials re-
ceived first hand information about the
growth OF the Diaz movement
Commander Hughes Of the Des Moines
sent a wireless dispatch 10 the Navy De-
partment last night stating that condi-
lions were quiet in Vera Cruz, although
he could not obtain reliable information.
The city is fearful Of attack. The mes
sage, which was deciphered to-day, added
that the New York and Cuba Mail steam
ship Seguranca was planning TO dis
charge her cargo and that there might be
some opposition. This is believed to mean
that the government forces will attempt
to prevent provisions becoming available
to the rebels.
The dispatch from Commander Hughes
gave additional assurances that the fed
eral leader had given promises not TO
lombard Vera Cruz or to cause any fight
ing In the city. 1t is understood that
Daz has given the same assurances, SO
the fears that there would be a fierce
battle over possible attempt OF the fed
erals to capture the city have been tenn
porarily allayed.
Battle Cannot Be Avoided.
| Altogether the situation is considered
serious, as It is believed that actual fight
/ ing i'm Vera Cruz cannot be avoided In
! definitely. Another occasion for concern
| is the fact that food supplies In the city
| will become exhausted after a few
weeks siege by the federals, and that
| Americans will suffer II they remain
and their property probably be piiiaged II
| they leave. The same situation prevails
at Tampico and other towns in control OF
| the federals.
A report was received by the State De
partment regarding the bombardment OF
| the lOd gdIIlSOll III inc IlsiL b'A VI ' 'A q
| Cruz, on Saturday evening. When the
garrison attempted TO join the Dlaz
forces I'm Vera Cruz the war vessels In
the harbor opened fire and continued the
! Commandment for half an hour. It was
reported that twenty OF the garrison were
killed
The naval collier Brutus has been or
dered from Key West to Guantanamo 70
| take on stores and coal for the American
warships on the east coast OF Mexico
| The Brutus will meet the Tacoma at
| Tampico and the Des Moines at Vera
! Cruz. This IL taken TO indicate that the
| United States expects 10 keep the war
ships I'm Mexican waters for some time.
Policy Of Non Intervention.
/ Nothing that Ambassador Wilson has
| communicated TO the State Department
/ has Influenced the officials TO change in
any respect the clearly defined policy OF
non-intervention in Mexico. This Is true,
despite semi-official admissions that the
revolutionary movement has assumed a
much more serious aspect than ever be-
! fore. and that a coalition between the
| forces Of the rebel leader Zapata. who
| has for the last year maintained a
| formidable rebellion almost within sight
Of the Mexican capital, and General Diaz,
| reputed TO be supported by the powerful