Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-01
Minimize CLOSING
OF VERA CRUZ PORT
Secretary Bryan and Gen.
Wotherspoon Do Not Regard
Matter as Urgent.

Secretary Bryan today said that tho
reported action of Provisional President
Carranza in ordering the close of the
port of Vera Cruz had not been brought
before him in any official way, but he
assumed the War Department was fully
informed on the subject. He was not in
clfned to regard the matter as one of
urgent Importance, giving the impress
sion that he thought it could be adjusted
without serious difficulty.
Gen. Wotherspoon, chief of staff, who
is acting Secretary of War in the tenn
porary absence of Secretaries Garrison
and Assistant Secretary Breckinridge.
also minimized the significance of the
reported action of the present head OF
the Mexican government and intimated
strongly that it was not at all likely TO
cause any material change in the admin
istration policy of military occupation
of Vera Cruz.
Commerce Still Moving.
The order for the closing of the port,
1t is understood. was issued more than
week ago, and apparently has made
little. If any. change in the commerce
of the port. especially as foreign ves-
sells seem to be paying no special at
tention to the order.
1hcfc no present 1nQlcatlOn OF any
intention to withdraw or reduce the
military force now in control OF the
city, and there is authority for the
| statement that no change will be made
IN the present policy of the United
States in that quarter before the return
to this city of President Wilson and
Secretary Garrison. and not then unless
something unforeseen develops from the
existing situation at the City of Mexico.
Gen. Funston transmitted a long report
on the complications that might occur.
| He directed attention to the possibility
that foreign shipowners desiring. not to
incur the displeasure Of the Carranza
administration. might hesitate to send
cargoes to Vera Cruz. diminishing the
| food supply" etc.
During the Huerta regime. Vera Cruz
was similarly closed, but foreign vessels
paid little attention to the order. Car
ranza's decree, would prevent Mexican
ships from putting in at Vera Cruz, and.
| if enforced in an unfriendly way. might
| exact heavy penalties from foreign ves-
sells entering any other Mexican port
after they touched at Vera Cruz.
Rail Traffic Resumed.
An interruption in railway traffic BE-
tween Vera Cruz and Mexico City recent
ly occurred. but as soon as Gen. Funston
announced that he would keep all rolling
stock in Vera Cruz until traffic was re-
sumed, the Mexican authorities explained
| that they were using the trains to trans
port troops and Immediately adjusted the
schedules.
| Paul Fuller personal representative OF
| President Wilson, is due in Mexico City
| today to discuss with the government
| these questions relating TO the American
| occupany of Vera Cruz well as diff
| ferences between Caranza and Villa.
Although administration officials have
not announced their position in any for
NAL way, it is generally understood that
| recognition will be withheld until a COM
plete agreement between Villa and Car
rama has been reached and arrangements
| made for a constitutional election.