The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-20
Event Gives Tinge of Inter-
est to Otherwise Quiet
Mexican SituatiOn-Pe0-
pie Ask for Aid
THREE BIG BRITISH
CRUISERS ORDERED
TO VERA CRUZ PORT
Movement Welcomed by United States
Officials as Sign That England
Believes Huerta Unable to
Control Situation-Fed-
erals Are Inactive

Washington, November 19.--Two
events connected with the military
and naval situation In regard to Mex
fco today gave a faint tinge of interest
to a day otherwise unmarked by de-
ycIopments.
Early I'm the day General Bliss, conn
manding the American troops on the
Mexican border, wns authorized to de-
regiment at Fort Bliss and the Fifth
Mt Fort Huachuca. They were to have
come north soon as they were re-
iieved by the two regiments recently
ordered to Texas for that purpose.
Senator Sheppard and Representative
Henry, pointing to the danger to which
their people at Ell Paso and Sother points
were exposed by the reported approach
of a large force of Mexican federals, in
tent on revenging themselves upon the
troops of General villa for the capture of
Juarez, had urged the war department to
keep all four regiments on the border.
British Cruisers at Vera Cruz
News that three big British cruisers
had been ordered to proceed from West
Indian ports to Vera Cruz created some
comment In official circles, where it was
recalled that recent London dispatches
had indicated that the British government
would intrust the interests of their sub
Jeets in Mexico to the United States.
1t was pointed out, however, that the
the appearance of foreign warships in
Mexican waters, and that the gathering of
British, German. Japanese and French
vessels off the coast might indicate to
General fIuerta growing lack of conf
dence on the part of the powers in his
ability Longer TO maintain himself and
insure the safety of foreigners in Mex
leo.
Rebel Activities
Army reports greatly minimize the
strength OF the contending forces at
Juarez last week. indicating that Villas
rebel command did not exceed 1900, while
the federal garrison was only about SO
strong. The staff officers are inclined to
believe that the apparently surprising
apathy of the federal commanders can be
explained only upon the theory that they
are enedavoring to take the rebels by sur
prise and will unexpectedly appear in
great force at some point where they
expect to innict telling blow.
While on the surface there was a lull
In the negotiations between the Huerta
government and the United States, it
was apparent that messages were passing
to and from Charge O'Shaughnessy paw
ing the way for future steps by the United
States II was said by high officials that
the apparent delay was justified but the
circumstances We're not revealed.
Congress Meeting Important
The meeting tomorrow of the Huerta
Congress was awaited with much interest
and it is thought possible here that the
next move may be based on action taken
by that Congress. 1t has been expected
that the Congress would nullify the re-
cent presidential election and arrange for
a future election and perhaps vote on
certain concessions. Such action, in view
oil the announcement of the American
government that it would not recognize
any acts of the Mexican Congress, might
move the situation a step further
The recent parleys between General Car
ranza at Noga!es are still cloaked in Sc
crecy Officials minimize the Importance
of these negotiations. The fact that they
have been ended was regarded here as
meaning merely that Mr.. Hale had OBJ
tained all the Information desired about
the character of the constitut onalist
chiefs. their programme and purposes.
Formal recognition, such as the presen-
tation of credentials might involve, had
not been considered, the mission Of Mr..
Hale being wholly unofficial
The attitude of high officials is to place
more stress on the affairs at Mexico City.
as 1t is pointed out that negotiations of
a very definite character with the consti-
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es-onvInued on PnGe EIcvenp