South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-09-02
FLEET To STAY
At VERA CRUZ
Closing of Port on Order of
Carranza Changes Plans of
Modifying Men-of- WAR at
NaraganSett.

WASHINGTON. Sept THE I'M
settled political contest between Gen.
Villa and Provisional Pres. Carranza
and the closing Of the port of Vera
Cruz " decree Of Carranza has led TO
a change in the plan TO remove the
American fleet from Mexican waters,
and a large force will remain at Vera
Cruz indefinitely.
Before the new evidences of Car
Fanza's hostility it had been decided
TO mobilize the whole Atlantic fleet off
Narragansett. High naval officials
said today that this plan has been
changed. and that there now will De
no haste in removing the battleships
and other naval vessels now at Vera
Cruz.
Carranza's port order as it is under
stood here. that oil cannot be shipped
from Tam ico into Vera Cruz thus
Gripping the fuel supply for the rail-
road between Vera cruz and Mexico
City. Despite the singular attitude OF
CarTanza, II was at the war depart
ment today that If Mexican and for
eign ships are prohibited from enter
ing Vera Cruz it will help American
commerce. II is understood that car
ranza's order is aimed at American
as we'll as foreign ships, but as Gen.
Funston controls the port the Next
can government has no means of en-
forcing the order against American
vessels.
The war department declares that
Carranza has not asked the United
States to withdraw it's troops from
Vera Cruz. but in a public statement
six months ago he denounced the oc-
cupatiOn Of Vera Cruz as unjustifiable.
il is known that he has not changed
his position and that he bitterly re-
nf
diers on Mexican soil.
The plan Of the state department as
announced during the Niagara medi-
alton conference was that there should
first be an election in Mexico, a COM
mission appointed to adjust claims
and international questions and that
then the United states would take up
with the new president the question
OF Withdrawing from Vera Cruz.
Up to Carranza.
II IS understood that Paul Fuller.
the presidents personal representa-
tive, due at Texas City Tuesday, will
reiterate this program 10 Carranza and
upon the latter's answer will rest the
question of reinforcing Gen. Funston
and the adoption of a more drastic
policy TO whip the provisional Presi-
dent into line.
The fact that nothing has been
done toward the calling of a general
election IN Mexico mas created the
suspicion that CarranZa is trying to
produce a situation that will justify
his retention of the power ne now
holds as military dictator in Mexico
City. This course is feared by the
administration as certain 10 bring
hGstilities between Carranza and villa
throwing Mexico once more into chaos
and bloOdshed
IL was learned today that France
has a lien on the customs of Vera
Cruz as security for loans TO Mexico.
The customs receipts have amounted
20 about $4,000 a month and have
been held in trust for France by Gen.
Funston. Part of the motive back
off Carranza's order closing the port
was 10 shut off this revenue from
Vera Cruz and divert il TO ports
where the revenues would reach Car
ranza's hands.
While administration officials will
comment publicly only in optimistic
vein. il is admitted privately that the
situation in Mexico is extremely dub
ious and critical. Recently a cabinet
official admitted that the situation
was more serious than at any time
during the past two years and that
the outcome was awaited with ap
prehension by the administration.