Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-18

delegates. Also the meeting between the three Mexican delegates, after the dinner at the Spanish embassy last night. while purely formal and social, gave opportunity for closer mutual ex- changes than have been possible up to this time.
 Before the Mexican party left today. the three delegates drove to the home of Secretary Bryan on Calumet Place and made call of ceremony by leav- ing their cards. MT. Bryan returned the call by leaving his cards for the delegates at the hotel There was no meeting between the secretary of state and the Mexicans.
 Throughout their stay the Mexican delegates steadily refused to make any public statement regarding their mis- sion, and 1t was only indirectly through representative Mexicans with whom they. talked while here, that a gen. eral idea of their viewpoint was ob- tained.
 Funston Reports Bridge Destroyed.
 The chief military development of the day was a report from General Funston that the San Francisco bridge on the Inter Oceanic railroad. 2S miles from Vera Cruz. had been destroyed. This confirmed previous reports from naval aviators, who had made obser- vations along this route. General Funston did not say how the bridge had been destroyed, but 1t was as- stunned by offlciais here that it was done by federal soldiers. The bridge, which spanned @ ravine and the river Antigua, was of steel construction. 168 feet long. Its destruction will not affect communication with Mexico City, as the principal route is over the Mexican Central railroad.
 General Funston also reported ru- mors that General Navarette. the fed- eral commander, was in the vicinity of Vera Cruz with a. force<of 5000 men. Army officials seriously doubted, how ever, that Navarette. has. so many troops in his commandt
 General Funston said the five Mexi- can "snipers' at first believed to be South Americans had been released. in accordance with instructions re- ceived from Secretary Garrison.
 Secretaries Garrison and Daniels spent several hours at their desks to- day, but both announced that no new orders had been issued affecting naval or military movements in Mexico. Secretary Daniels came twice to the navy department for consultation with his. aides, but upon leaving late in the day to go south to fulfill some speak ing engagements, said no reports had been received from any of his com manders in Mexican waters. Secre- tary Garrison was in conference with
 
 Mexicans Refuse Hospitality.
 Before the departure of the Mexi- can delegates they were about the lob by of their hotel and chatted with resident Mexicans. The state depart ment had engaged quarters for the delegates but they courteously insist ed that they must pay their own bills and the staff of the Spanish embassy went to the railroad station to bid them farewell.
 Though the Mexicans would make no statement, declaring that it would be inexpedient for them to say any thing in advance of the negotiations it was learned from quarters in close touch with them that they are de- cidedly optimistic concerning the chances for mediation. Mextcans and other persons who talked with them say that they realize that the pres ent administration in Mexico City is fast crumbling and that the choice of someone to succeed Huerta is fn- evitable But. concerning the retire ment of Huerta the delegates are said ton of what is to follow, what guar antees are to be obtained against pos- sible conflscation of property by the invading constitutionalists. what pro-. lection will be made against condi- tions of anarchy and what kind of 8ONCI0IuGHt, LuAy WILL p6 SldDic dIlu will secure woAd- wide recognition, can be set up.
 Persons close to the delegates em- phasized that the three mon who would represent the Hurta govrnnent at the mediation were not "Huertistas' or the representatives of any group of persons. but were representative of tho best interests of the people in tho ter rtory controlled by the Mexican fed eral government. Though theoretically the delegates are dealing with an in- ternstionalS question-the differences which arose with the United States out of the Tampico incident-private- ly they admit that before them actu- ally is the problem of pacihcation of Mexico. Also. those close to Presi- dent Wilson and Secretary Bryan say the question which is to be mediated is no longer the failure of Huerta to salute or the offenses committed against the dignity of the United States. but the broad question of paci- lying Mexico. In fact, those who best know the viewpoint of the Washing ton government declared American troops will not be withdrawn from Vera Cruz until a stable government is established or is in sight in Mex