The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-06

WASHINGTON Nov 5.-Another
addition TO the United States naval
force in Mexican waters was the most
important development here today in
regard TO the situation. Two cruisers
were ordered South, one on the east,
ann me other on the west coast.
These orders were issued just
about the time the Third division of
the Atlantic fleet, consisting Of the
battleships Nebraska, New Jersey.
Virginia and Rhode Island were re-
ported as having arrived ut Vera
Cruz. These battleships. according to
the official plans. were to have re-
relieved the second division OF the At
lantic fleet, which has been stationed
in Mexican waters for six months.
Formal announcement was made at
the navy department however, that
the two divisions will remain indefi-
nitely in Mexican waters. under the
command OF Rear Admiral Fletcher.
Thus, within the last two days the
orders OF the navy department have
more than doubled the American
naval force in Mexican waters.
Big Stick For Huerta.
Only one Interpretation Of this
notable strengthening OF the Ameri-
can forces seems possible This is
that it Is intended to emphasize tho
demands which the United States has
conveyed to Huerta that he shall
keep his prediction pledges and
eliminate himself and his followers
from the govern ment
The significance of this gathering
Of battleships becomes more pro-
nounced when 1t is recalled that in
the stress and strain Of previous up
risings in Mexico, when the danger
n ma lar,
greater than II is today, the fleet vas
smaller.
Next 10 the movement of the battle
ships the most interesting develop
ment in the days situation from the
Washington viewpoint vas the re-
ceipt of unofficial dispatches from
Paris, that the Huerta government
had approached the French foreign
office Informally with an inquiry as
TO whether il would be disposed to
act as mediator between the United
States and Mexico. No confirmation
Of this development could be OBJ
tanned here. Secretary Bryan and
other government officials discIaimIng
all knowledge OF 1t. The news was
not regarded as important. except in
sofar as 1t seemed to indicate dis
position to yield something on Huer-
ta's part.
question OF ENpedlency.
The question that Immediately pre-
scented itself in Washington was
whether the Wilson administration
could afford to accept the offices of
any European government as a me-
dator in the handling OF situation
involving one of the American re-
publics.
The impression Is growing In
Washington that the next move OF the
Wilson administration If the event
OF Huerta declining to yield 10 the lat
est demands of the state department,
will be 70 lift the embargo on the ex-
nortation of arms and ammunition
into Mexico. 1t was learned today
that majority OF the senate COM
mittee onS foreign relations has fav-
ored for some time a policy of this
sort toward Carranza and the con-
stitutionalists.
Such action by the administration,
however undoubtedly will be pre-
ceded by message to congress from
the president in regard to the Mexi-
can situation. The president MINI
self has the authority. under reso-
luton of congress. to lift the embargo
on arms or he may ask congress it,
self to act on the matter.
European Attitude.
Another serious question that would
present itself in connection with this
policy, though, would he the atti-
tude of foreign governments-wheth-
err they would subscribe to pro-
ceedure which would plunge Mexico
into a civil warfare sharper and
fiarcer than any that has yet taken
place. This would mean increased