The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-04-28

Washington, April Z+.-N nlIe lhe
attention o. the American govern
ment today was concentrated on re-
stcring order at Vera Cruz and en-
pediting the departure Of Americans
from Mexico, watchful eye Was
trained on the transcontinental boun
dary between Mexico and the United
States for any signs of hostility from
Mexican rebels.
President Wilson and his cabinet
had a long meeting after which op-
timism was conspicuously apparent,
both in their demeanor aud informal
discussion of the situation.
Other officials were not so san
guine, and the army moved with pre-
cision and swiftness to protect the
American boundary and reinforce the
expenditionary force Of marines and
bluejackets at Vera Cruz.
Conference at the State depart4
ment between Mr.. Bryan and rep
resenta,ives of the Mexican constitu-
tionalists resulted in the dispatch to
Gen. Carranza Of telegram by the
latter, strongly advising him to re-
main neutral and assuring him thai
the American government intended to
withdraw its forces from Mexico as
soon as Huerta had made satisfac-
tory reparation for offenses.
Would Be Dangerous.
The advice given Carranza was
that, by assuming a hostile attitude,
he would draw all MeXicans into war
Huerta would be perpetuated and the
c2nstitutionalists cause lost.
The position Of the American gov
ernmen; is finn that an offense
against its dignity and national honor
has been committed, and that it must
enforce reparation from Huerta.
Signs of uneasiness abroad because
tle U@ied ates, though not hav-
ing declared blockade or state of
war, is exercising jurisdiction at Vera
Cruz between measures short Of war
and actual war became apparent to-
day. Cabinet officials said no at
temp: would be made 10 interfere
with the regular channels Of COM
merce anywhere Munitions Of war
alone will be held at the Vera Cruz
custom house, if landed, provisions
aad ether commercial supplies not
being detained
The army and navy continued
plans for holding Vera Cruz, for the
care of refugees, for the provisioning
of American forces and for the main
enance of a strict border patrol, not
only to prevent raids and uprisings,
but to keep all factions in Mexico
from obtaining munitions, arms and
ammunition. The war department
continued its plans for mobilizing
regulars and volunteers, should the
president call for them Army trans
ports, bearing infantry and artillery,
sailed from Galveston to reinforce the
naval forces at Vera Cruz.
Merely in Defense.
The sporadic outbreak at Nuevo
Laredo, Mex, where the evacuating
federals burned the town and fired
across the American border. was no.
unexpected, but it was pointed out
here that the American troops re-
turned the fire merely in defense OF
the international line, and did not
become the aggressors.
Congress sill talked about Mexico.
Senator Lodge read a long telegram
from many prominent persons, urging
al inquiry into the Mexican situation
before war was declared. Represen-
ta.ive Fitzgerald chairman of the
house committee on appropriations,
asked the president i ne wanted any
wa appropriation and Nh Wilson
replied, Not as yet.
Secretary Garrison is virtually
without funds tor the particular
moves of the army now being made,
bu. he is drawing Oh the future. 1t
is a violation of law for the war de-
partment to incur any obligation with
out authorization by congress, but
Mr.. Garrison smilingly said be had
faced Jail several times on this ac-
count
Mr.. Wilson probably will affix his
sigma -ure tomorrow to the volunteer