New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-08
GUNBOATS DUE TO
ARRIVE THIS MORNING
Badger Cables Tacoma and
Sacramento Are Close
on Their Heels.
CONSTITUTIONALISTS
ELATED OVER NEWS
Carranza's Reply Said to Mean
Rebel Participation in Peace
Conference.
From The Tribune pursau.I

From The rribun. pureaul
Washington. June TT is the present
intention Of the United States govern
ment to keep Tampico an open port FOR
"all commerce" and II the Huerta gun
boats, the Bravo and the Zaragoza,
which are due at Tampico at o'clock
tomorrow morning. try 70 establish a
blockade to keep supplies from the Con-
stitutionalists to use the American navy
to prevent them.
There is, however. a chance that the
orders which the American naval COM
manders have to keep Tampico open
may be altered, in view Of the danger
OF a collapse Of the mediation at Nj
agara Falls which may follow the use
or threat Of force against the Mexican
gunboats.
Constitutionalists who heard tonight
that the United States had given for
NAL notification that Tampico would
be kept an open port were elated.
They made less effort after learning
Of this official decision to conceal the
fact that the Constitutioralist army
needed ammunition and that il Huerta
had established an effective blockade
the situation for them would have been
serious. Now they say there is moth
ing that stands in the way of speedy
advance upon Mexico City.
The condition is inexplicable 10 OBJ
servers of the situation in Washington.
The Secretary of State has time and
again stated that there exists between
the United States and Huerta an
agreement that no aggressive action
shall be taken by either side pending
the mediation. He has also said that
there is nothing in the agreement OF
Huerta with the mediators that makes
il impossible for the dictator 10 make
war on the Constitutionalists.
Anomalous Situation.
Yet it appears clear that the Ameri-
can navy is to be utilized In prevent
ing the blockade which Huerta pro-
poses to establish to keep his enemies
from obtaining arms and ammunition.
No explanation Of the anomalous stu
alton has come from the administra-
tion.
IL is apparent that the administra-
ton is much concerned and that the
possibility of breakup of the media
ton is discerned. IT is feared In some
quarters that Huerta might justify
withdrawal from the conferences at
Niagara on account OF American ac-
ton against his ships.
The first official explanation OF the
present situation was obtained tonight
from Mr.. Daniels. Secretary Of the
Navy, to whom certain questions we're
put concerning the general situation
and concerning certain reports that
were published to-day. among them
one that American ships would convoy
the ship Antilla with its cargo OF am
munition safely into Tampico.
No New Orders to Badger.
Mr.. Daniels's statement follows.
THE Navy Department has issued no
new orders 10 Admiral Badger since
the Mexican gunboats were reported TO
be leaving Puerto Mexico. The depart
ment has at no time contemplated fur
nishing a convoy for the Antilla or any
other ship, nor have orders TO that ef-
feet been issued No word whatever
has been received as TO whether or not
the warships OF other nations have
been notified OF the blockade OF TAM
pico or what their attitude would re
toward such a blockade.
There has been no change in tho
policy of the government in reference
70 its desire that the port OF Tampieo
shall be open to all commerce"
The last sentence is regarded as the
most significant Of all. Mr.. Daniels
says "all commerce" and this is taken
TO include the Antilla, with her three
million rounds OF ammunition. two
military aeroplanes and other war sup
plies. This view is borne out by the in
structions which are said TO have been
sent TO Admiral Badger in May TO
notify the commanders OF the Mexican
gunboats, which were then Just leaving
Tampico after the town had been capt
ured by the rebels. that In case they re-
turned to Tampico the United States