New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-03
State Department Intended
to Stop Exports OF
Arms to Mexico.
ORDER FAILED TO
REACH WAR OFFICE
Drawn Last Friday, but Not Re-
ceived Until Liner Had Left
with Her Cargo.
From The Tribune Buresu.1

From Tho Tribune Bureau
Washington, June 2.-Ofhcial circles
were amazed to-day when 1t became
known that the Ward line steamship
Antilla had been permitted to clear from
New York for Tampico with a consiGn-
ment Of 100000 rounds OF ammunition
for the Constitutionalists of Mexico.
II has been the intention OF the state
Department since last Friday at least W
prohibit the expectation Of war materials
from the United States to any ana all
Mexican ports. Firms which inquired ol
the department on Friday If 1t vas per
MISSILE TO ship arms to Tampico were
told that 1t was not.
One firm in St Louis asked why tne
government forbade the shipment OF arms
across the Texas border while permitting
shipment by water TO Tampico ana else
where Secretary Bryan replied tnae t"e
shipment OF arms by land and by water
was prohibited, yet the orders 10 .ne
American port authorities to make this
prohibition effective have been held up
and the AntiJla got away to-day with her
cargo.
Order Delayed Four Days.
There was a report in the War Depart
ment that the Secretary of War received
only to-day an order from the State De-
partment prohibiting expectation OF arms
from American ports, and that this order
was drawn four days ago.
1t Is the policy Of Mr.. Bryan that arms
shall not be exported 70 Mexican ports
from the United States during the media
ton The administration agreed to 90
its utmost to maintain the status quo'
and the wholesale expectation OF NUM-
tions Of war Ia calculated to upset ex-
listing conditions.
The correspondent OF Inc lrlou"o
learned tonight that a great quantity OF
ammunition which had been halted d.
the border has been transported to Gal
weston. with the intention of sending II
from there to Tampico.
1t Is not unlikely that something Will
be done soon to prevent further exporta-
lions and possibly to stop the munitions
already on the way. The government is
disnclined to establish a blockade at
Il
forces in any way. but it is realized that
if the policy Of transportation Is TO be
made effective some such measure must
be taken with regard to the consignment
on the Antilla.
Boon to the Rebels.
There is no question that the sailing OF
the Antlla is boon to the rebels OF
Northern Mexico. The battles OF Tor
reon, San Pedro, Tampico and Saitilio
nearly exhausted the Constitutionalists
supply of ammunition. and the prospect
OF not being permitted to ship further
supplies to Tampico has been most dis-
couraging to the rebels.
The administration is embarrassed by
the fact that the arms aboard the steam
ship Ypiranga. recently landed for Huerta
at Puerto Mexico. were In It's cohtrol
when the German steamer was at MoDlle
two weeks ago. The War Department
wa. asked II there was any objection 10
permitting the Ypiranga to sail with her
munitions Of war. The department I'M
derstood from the State Department that
there was nothing to prohibit shipments
to Mexican ports, and 1t so replied TO the
authorities at Mobile.
The German Ambassador has Informed
the state Department that the Ypiranga
ceased to be a German government vessel
when she disembarked refugees who had
been brought up from Vera Cruz ana
Tampico.
The Japanese steamer Seiyo Maru has
sailed from Salina Cruz for Peru. The
Seiyo was closely watched by American
warships, but she did not land any arms
or ammunition at Salina Cruz.