The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-05-08
PEACE PARLEY ON
MAY Is.
MEDIATORS TO MEET U. s. AND
HUERTA DELEGATES ON CAN
adam SOIL.
Situation Grave In Mexico -HOstilites
May Begin AT Any Time.

Niagara Falls, Canada, is the place
and May Is is the time designated by
the three South American mediators
for their first meeting, when they will
receive representatives of the parties
to the controversy. The scope of the
mediation is set forth in the note ad-
dressed by the mediators to General
Carranza. "All the difficulties which
have contributed toward the present
situation in Mexico" says the note,
bear directly or indirectly on the sol
ution Of the pending conflict between
Mexico and the United States; conse-
quently, these difficulties TALL of them)
should be made the subject of the ne
gotiations." Any narrowing of the
mediation, whereby the more import
ant phases OF the Mexican problem
should be excluded, would be ''incon-
sistent with the idea which caused us
Y (the mediators) to tender our good
Offices"
\ Mexico's warlike preparations in
various sections OF that republic and
the mobilization of troops around
Vera Cruz and the threatening atti-
tude OF the Federal troops toward the
I United States forces at that seaport
has caused much concern at the
White House and War Department.
The cessation of aggression by the
American forces since the occupation
OF that city has given the Mexican
leaders time to bring thousands Of
troops from the interior, and it is
estimated that there il an army OF
more than $4,000 Mexican soldiers
massed around Vera Cruz and holding
all of the advantage points, a. well a.
control Of the railroad leading from
the National Capital to the seaport
While no warlike move has been
made by the Mexicans to reopen hos
tilities, the situation is grave and
trouble might break loose at any
time.
Dynamite mines have been planted
along the entire route of the railway
leading from Vera Cruz to Mexico
City, and the whole road will be blown
UP If the Americans make an ad-
vance.
I This information was received in
Washington Monday from Vera Cruz
and caused much concern. The mines
are at half-mile distances and Mexi-
cas- are posted to blow the entire road
out Of existence.
Fifteen thousand well-eQuippeC
men confront General Funston, who
il eager for the word to advance on
the Mexican capital before greater
difficulties are placed in his way.
General Funston has been ordered
to use his discretion regarding the
extension of his lines in event of a
clash with Mexican Federals. He
reported this unnecessary at present
to defend the water works. More
artillery has been landed from the
warships and landing forces Of blue
jackets are held in readiness to police
the city If Funston should need all
his forces for fighting.
Latest Developments.
Another brigade Of 1000 or 5000
men will probably be sent at once to
Vera Cruz to reinforce General Fun
ston 30 as to enable him to thoroughly
protect his position against surprise
attack on his garisons.
This, Ii iS understood, will be the
result Of a long cipher dispatch which
Secretary of War Garrison received
about o'clock last night from Gen
eral Funston. Following its arrival
there was unusual activity in the War
Department lasting until midnight
All the nigh general stan officers and
heads of staff departments were pres
ent.
i There was a force OF 900 men
facing the outpost at the Tegjar water
works. To strengthen his position
against attack, General Funston will
have to send men out of Vera Cruz
and thus needs men to take their
places
It is understood the four transports
at Galveston have been given waiting
orders to be ready any moment to
move another brigade, and that ar
rangements have been made to engage
several other transports.
] Artillery is needed by General Fun
ston and these will be sent, it is un-
derstood, with another brigade OF in
fantry, increasing Funston's total
force to nearly 5000 soldiers and g.
600 marines.
]