Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-15
Rebels Shy of
 Ammunition
FEDERAL euNsoATs MAY BLOCK.
 ADE PORT OF TAMPIco
TO SHUT OFF SUPPLIES
constitutionalists Are Pushing Cam paisn southward-Ameriean War ship Now Up Panueo River.

considerably enlarging the constitu- tionalist sphere of control and giving them a seaport through which muni- lions of war may be directly imported, injected into the Mexican situation to- day several new phases.
 The last conference of the South American mediators was held during the day and later one of the envoys. Ambassador Da Cana, would start for Niagara Falls, via New York to- morrow. Minister Naon will leave to- morrow night and Minister Suarez on Saturday.
 Interest had shifted, however, from the preparations for mediation to dis patches confirming the fall of Tam pico and the vigorous prosecution Of constitutionalist campaign southward. The American government has already begun representations to the consti- tutionaltsts to procure protection for the American and other foreign oper- atives returning to the oil wells Amer ican warships have gone up the Pan- uco river to their old stations before the town and a return of normal con- dftions is confidently expected by of ficials here. At the mouth of the river are the federal gunboats with a part of the federal garrison. The cap- tains of these shops have asked for an interview with Rear Admiral Mayo. which was granted. but it's purpose has not yet been divulged.
 Ammunition Chief Concern of Rebels.
 Discussion today centered chiefly on the question of shipping arms and ann munition through Tampico. The constitutiona1ists are short of ammu- nition and are certain to avail them selves of their first seaport to ship war supplies into the interior for the cam paign against Mexico City. The Amer ican government has never made a clear definition of its policy towards shipments of arms into Mexi1D from countries other than the United States. Arms were prevented from reaching Huerta through Vera Cruz when the customs house there was seized by the American forces as an act of reprisal. At Puerto Mexico recently cargo of arms consigned to the Huerta govern ment was not landed by the agents of the line so ordered. the American gov ernment denying that :t had in any way influenced this decision At Manzanillo and other west coast ports, however, no effort has been made to prevent arms from reaching Huerta, and the belief is general here that the constitutionalists will have no difficulty in importing munitions through Tampico.
 The presence of the two Huerta gunboats in Tampico harbor, after the evacuation of that city by the federal troops. has led to the conjecture that that they are to be used to- hiockade the port, stopping not only importa- tions of arms and ammunition, but all kinds of supplies for the constitution alists. It is believed that 1t is with the purpose of learning whether Ad- miral Mayo would respect such a blockade that the commanders of the federal gunboats asked for a confer ence. Though disinclined to pass up- on hyphothetical case naval experts a crr0 fI7a% lnae fIrA fa64 manders are able to make this bloc ade really effective it must be respect ed by foreign shipping.
 The recognition of an effective blockade by a belligerent does not. it is held, in any way involve political recognition of either party to the strike.
 Lobos island Incident Closed.
 The Lobos Island lighthouse incident is regarded as closed by the state de- parement Secretary Bryan believes that he laid this issue at rest two days ago, when. in reply to General Huerta's protest, he submitted a written mem orandum to the mediators informing them that there had been no seizure of the island; that the only force used was in preventing the removal of por- tions of the lighthouse machinery es- sential to the operations of the light; and finally, that the Mexixcans could
 
 house at any moment they were pre- . pared to keep their lighc in operation. Incidentally Secretary Bryan acquitted of any blame Lieutenant Commander Jeffers of the destroyer Tanning who gave the light keeper a certificate that he had taken possession of the light by force.
 It was a Mexican and not a Nor wegian vessel from which shots were fired against Americans at Vera Crhz for which incident five South Ameri- cans were arrested according to a report from General Funston to Sec retary Garrison today. The case is still under investigation No replies were received at the state department to the demands for information con- corning John R. Silli1nan, the missing American vice consul at Saltillo and Samuel Parks. the American orderly reported executed by federals near Vera Cruz.