The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-05-08
MEXICAN SITUATION
CALM ON OUTSIDE
UNDER SURFACE CURRENT RUNS
SPEEDILY.
Rebels Declare They Are Making
Progress Toward Investment OF
Capital.

Washington, May 6.-Wnile the
Mexican situation was outwardly calm
today pending the formal opening Of
the conference of the American me-
diators at Niagara Falls, Canada, on
May 1S, there continued an active un-
dercurrent of discussion and prep
aration for the peace plans. At the
same time definite reports reached the
constitutionalist headquarters here of
sweeping victories of their forces near
San Luis Potosi and other points far
south of Saltillo, where it was thought
their next big battle would occur.
The news of constitutionalist sue
cesses reached here in dispatches
from Gen. Carranza to Raphael Zeub-
aran, minister of the interior in the
constitutionalist cabinet, who had a
direct wire set up to the headquarters
of Gen. Carranza in Chihuahua today.
Gen. Carranza's messages showed that
three converging campaigns were in
active operation, each within 300
miles of Mexico City. Gen. Obregon
with $4,000 men operating from the,
Pacific coast, having captured all the
intervening territory, was besieging
Mazatlan, and was threatening Mexi-
co City from the west. Another divi-
sion, Gen. Carranza reported, had
fought battle at PensacOs, near San
Luis Potosi, which is 800 miles north
of Mexico City
FurtheSt South.
This is the soutnernmost point
which the constitutionalists have
reached in central Mexico and, with
tie army now a tacking Tampico, they
declare taat the general advance on
the Mexican capital is to be made
within a few weeks from three sides.
The significance of these coAstitu-
tionalist vic ories lay in the fact that
the territory is far south OF Saltillo
and only 300 miles from Mexico City.
Gen. Carranza's report Of the plight
o. the federals was coincident with
the reports from Rear Admiral How
ard at Mazatlan, who reported that
land and sea engagement was being
carried onst1ere, the constitutionalists
firing rifles from Piedra island, while
the federal gunboat was aiding the
shore batteries.
Aside from the notable constitu-
tionalist successes the chief military
development of the day was the au-
thorization given Gen. Funston to ex-
tend mis- lines at Vera Cruz as might
he needed for defensive purposes,
without, however, undertaking any ag-
gressive operations. A report also
came from Gen. Funston that he could
secure no definite information as to
the movements by the federals under
Gen. Mas, but he construed what
they were doing as being merely de-
fensive. No further reinforcements
have been ordered to Vera Cruz, nor
has there been any sign of Gen. Wood
moving TO the front to assume COM
mand
The Naval Side.
The naval situation was shown in
reports from Rear Admiral Badger,
as to the Atlactic coast points, and
from Rear Admiral Howard, as to
conditions on the Pacific side. Rear
Admiral Badger reported that sharp
fighting had occurred between Mexi-
can federals and constitutionalists be-
tween Vera Cruz and Tampico and he
added that rumors reached him
through Admiral Mayo that some OF
Villas forces intended to take and
burn the city Of Tampico.
Admiral Mayo put no faith in re-
ports Of the truce between the fed
erals and constitutionalists at Tam
pico.
Congress again came in:o the Mex
lean situation today when caustlc
debate occurred in the senate over
the resolution of Senator Lippett OF
Rhode Island, asking President Will
son for information as TO his reported
designation of Pancno Villa for next
! chief of Mexico The motion was
tabled by viva voce vote but not un-
til Senator Lippett had discussed the
'"villainous Villa" the landing at Vera