Evening star., 1913-11-21

Waters Pierce Oil Company $1,000 pesos
We're asked. Other concerns were taxed
In proportion to their Importance. The
managers of the WatersPierce Company
ment of the levy and place themselves
and their property under the protection OF
the American consul.
The consttutionalist confidential agency
here today received word that Monclova
a large city in the state of Coahuilila. has
just been recaptured by their forces
This is thought to forecast an attack on
Piedras NegraS, which was captured by
the federals several weeks ago. Piedras
Negras is across the border from Eagle
Pass, Tex.
Believe Huerta Is Losing Power.
That the Washington officials believe
be slowly "crumbling and disintegrat-
ing" and that no preparations have
been made for the blockading Of Mexi-
can ports nor the landing of American
marines on Mexican soil were facts In
the situation made public at the White
House late yesterday afternoon.
1t was also made plain that while the
administration is not condOning the in
humanity of the armed strife generally
in Mexico. 1t is inclined to view with
some complacency the reprisals by con-
stitutionalists and federals on those Of
f1cers or men who have been deserting
from side to side.
1t was learned from those with whom
the President talked late yesterday that
he believes that the different forces
working against Huerta are slowly UNI
dermining his strength and that he final
ly Will be forced to yield and retire.
DR.. Hale's Mission.
1t was made plain at the White House
that in the parleys between Gen. Car
rama and William Bayard Hale no effort
was made to map out plans for the fu-
ture. DR.. Hale's mission was merely to
find out the general aims and purposes
OF the constitutionalists. it was said, and
10 sound them out along many lines to
see just what their position is. It was
denied that there was ever any forma!
| request for credentials from, DR.. Hale
In connection with the reported exc
prisoners. the White House pointed to a
consular report from Torreon, showing
that many OF the alleged atrocities re-
ported in the news dispatches did not
occur. that foreigners had been protected
by the constltutionalists and that the kill
ing of federals had been justified by the
consututionalists on the ground that
these federals were traitors to their
cause.
Secretary Bryan announced that he has
instructions to Admiral Fletcher at Vera
Cruz to undertake the protection of all
foreign interests in the oil fields on the
east coast of Mexico. He explained that
request for such protection had reached
the State Department through the Amer
lean embassy at London.
No Instructions to Land.
The Secretary stated positively that nc
| instructions had been sent to Admiral
| Fletcher to land marines and bluejackets
but 1t was left to his discretion how tc
| execute his orders. The situation in the
| oil fields is believed here to be fraught
| with dangerous possibilities.
In this connection it became known
| here today that not since the Mexican
revolution started have great financial in
| terests shown such concern over the sit
uation as they have during the last few
days. Urgent attempts have been made
to procure protection from the constitu
tionalists. Telephone wires between New
| York and Washington have been kept ho
for several days with these pleas for pro
| lection