The Sentinel=record., 1914-05-20
STATE DEPARTMENT IS UNABLE TO GET INFORMATION OF THE
 WHEREABOUTS OF SMITHS.
A CONSUL IS ALSO MISSING
Brazilian Minister in Mexico City Mates Endeavor to Get the nfor- nation But Has So Far Failed to Secure Any Satisfaction.

Washington, May 19-With media tion proceedings removed to Niagara Falls. Ontario. activity here in the Mexican situation was notably re- laxed today. It was the evident pur- pose of the Washington government to tive the conference the amplest opportunity to work out its plans with the least possible influence rom the outside.
 American commissioners left early in the day for the scene of the con ference and later were followed by Minister Suarez of Chile, the last of the mediators to leave Washington. All will be on hand for the opening of the conference tomorrow.
 A special telegraph wire from the headquarters of the American repre- scutatiyes at Niagara Falls to the white house was installed today to keep the president in close touch with the proceedinss. Important things will be submitted to the presi- dent before the American represen- tatives take any actior
 Anxiety over persistent lack of in formation as to American Consul John R. Slliman, at Saltillo, and ten members of the Smith family re- ported held at Tonola, Chtlpas. con Unues at the state department, and diplomatic efforts to obtain definite reports were pressed,
 The state department in response t0 an urgent message, received a re- port from the Brazilian minister in Mexico City st4ing that representa- cons had been made to the Mexican foreign office several times concern ing the Smiths, and that the Brazilian minister had urged the British con- sul at Chiapas to use his good offices to secure the release of the Ameri- cans.
 Broken railroad communication be- tween Mexico City and Saltillo was accepted as the reason for the failure to hear from Silliman, although the arrival of a train in Mexico City from San Luis Potosi without him caused disappointment.
 The Brazilian minister, Secretary Bryan said, reported conditions quiet in Mexico City, and stated that ar engagements had been made to send a special train with 200 refugees from the capital tomorrow.
 Navy department dispatches made it clear that Mexican federals fleeing from defeat at Tampico had left the cil fields about that city. Admiral Bad ger reported that between 2,0JO and f000 troops under General Zara- goza had stopped at Panuco City another oil center, but later eyacu- ated that town. The oil wells there were left unharmed. Oil operatives ate returning to resume operations in the Tampico fields, Where all is re- ported quiet.
 The constitutionalist authorities have ordered operations resumed in the cotton mills at Torreon and in tend to use the cotton confiscated from the Spanish growers in that sec ton, according to word received ny representatives of the former own CTS here. This introduces an addi- tional complication for the owners who haye been endeavoring to re- cover their confiscated property, as auce manufactured into thread, the confiscated cotton no longer could be identified on the international markets.
 State and war department officials awaited further information as to the rate of Private Samuel Parks. No information as to Parks was forth coming from any source, although the horses that disappeared through the Mexican lines near Vera Cruz with the American soldier were mysterl' ously returned to the American lines,
 Secretary Bryan today made the etatus of pr. Edward w. Ryan at scranton, Pa, at the time he was thrown into jail by the federal ao- thorities at Fresnillo, on the charge Of being spy.
 Dr. Ryan was authorized by Charge Nelson O'Shaughnessy to go to TOT reon and render medical assistance to refugees. He was not commls- stoned to collect information Tor the state department. and was not con