Evening star., 1913-11-21
MEXICO OIL FIELD
SITUATION GRAVER
FOREIGN Interests Near Tux
pam and Pampico Are
in Peril.
WILSON HOPES TO AVOID
LANDING OF MARINES
Federal Military Authorities De-
mand Money From Alien
Business Concerns.

That the situation in the great
oil fields of Mexico near Tuxpam and
Pampico, where millions of dollars of
foreign capital is invested and where con-
lstitutionalists are now gathered in large
numbers. is fraught with grave possibiH-
ties was indicated by developments Of the
day. The situation was not thought to
have a direct bearing on the attitude of
the administration here, which. it is
thought, win continue patiently to wait
for Huerta to fall
TWO English battleships are now steam
Ing toward the new center of activities
and the United States already has suffi-
clent war vessels near at hand to deal
with any trouble which may develop
That 1T may be necessary to land marines
to protect foreign interests was thought
possible. although the administration here
is determined not to take such a step un-
Attacks Are Delayed.
The confidential agency here of the con-
stitutionalists gave out the information to-
day that attacks on Tuxpam and Tampico
non-combatants.
The constituticnalists are making every
effort to get both cities to surrender
without fighting. It was said 1t was
also declared that reports that the great
oil properties Of Lord Cowdray and others
are to be destroyed were absolutely un-
founded. 1t was said that both cities
can be captured at any time.
President Wilson discussed dispatches
from Admiral Fletcher at Vera Cruz
concerning the furnishing of asylum to
Evaristo and Daniel Madero and some of
Garrison and Secretary of State Bryan
and Assistant Secretary of the Navy
roosevelt. The men had been liberated
from Vera Cruz prison and had applied
10 consul Canada for protection.
See Disintegration.
Convening of the Mexican congress
and Huerta's reading of his message
are regarded by officials here as merely
carrying the situation one step further
along. and not as events which fore
cast any immediate step by the United
States. The view here is that each day
adds to what administration officials re-
gard as the steady and gradual disin-
tegrat1on Of the Huerta regime
The official view is that should the
congress act on English oil concessions
invalid, not only by the United States. but
oy Great Britain: perfect understand
ing is understood to have been reached
between london and Washington
Inasmuch as foreign governments
generally have signified their assent to
the American policy as thus far out
nned, 1T Is being taken for granted
mere that SO far as the nations Of the
world are concerned. the new Mexican
congress may legislate as 1t will. but
its acts will not have international
sanction as the constituted law
making body Of the republic
Huerta Loses Support.
Such favorable attitude by other ma
tions generally strengthens the confidence
OF the Washington government that the
power Of the Huerta regime is crumbling.
The fact that many members of the
Catholic party did not attend the session
of congress by previous agreement is re-
garded as another evidence of the loss by
Huerta Of one of the chief sources Of his
previous support.
While no positive steps are being taken
and no action of summary character SO
Tar as known is planned, the disposition
or high OncialS Is to await the SLOW but
what they deem inevitable, process of
forcing Huerta to retire.
Demands on Foreigners.
Information reached here today that the
federal military authorities at Monterey
have made demands on all foreign busi-
ness concerns in that city for cash to
provide for the maintenance of the army
in that district Since this is the first
time that open demands of such a kind
have been made on foreigners, it was be-
lieved here that important developments
will follow. 1t is known that protests are
to be made to the State Department here.
| From the Monterey Steel Company.
10000 pesos were asked and from the