South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-25
PLANS READY
TO RUSH BIG
BORDERARMY
Report From Mayo of Rebel
Assault on TampiCo Creates
Stir at War Department.
Aviators Ready to Enlist.
BY JOHN j. DAILY.

(Staff Correspondent at the War De-
partment)
WASHINGTON. April 25.-PlanS to
concentrate a great army on the Dor
der were made at a secret conference
early today Of the advisory board of
the army. The sending of the troops.
however. will depend on the develop
n1entS of the next as hours, II was
learned. following the conference.
Shortly after midnight Secretary or
War Garrison called in Assistant Sec
rotary Breckenridge and General
Leonard Wood. After reading reports
from the navy department 1T was de-
cided that a conference should be
held and the following officers were
summoned: General Aleshire. quar-
terrnaster general in charge Of trans
portation and subsistence, General
CrOzier, chief of the bureau of ord
nance: General Hugh Scott. assistant
chief of staff. and Colonies Allen and
Hodges, and Captain Mccoy, of Gen
eral Woods personal staff.
Tentative Orders Prepared.
At the close OF the conference no
word was given out. but IL was learn
ed that tentative orders were prepared
TO be issued as soon as advices were
received from the front. Assistant
Secretary Breckenridge returned to
his office and kept an all night vigil
for kilograms. No alarming news
reached him, however.
An early morning despatch from
Admiral Badger quoting Admiral
Mayo as reporting that the rebels
were storming Tampico. caused stir
in the navy department. The report
stated that two Mexican gunboats, the
Bravo and Vera Cruz, were Smelling
the city. No mention was made in the
despatch of any part being taken In
the fight by the American ships at
Tampico. This phase OF the situation
presented a problem to the American
naval officers at Washington. Whether
the United States would take a hand
in the fighting was a question TO be
decided by the president, high officials
stated.
May Send Aero Fleet
Secretary Daniels called into con-
ference during the night, a. 3. Lam
bert, head of the aero reserve corps
Of the United States TO formulate
plans for the invasion of Mexico by
an aeronautical fleet. Mr.. Lambert
pledged to the secretary the services
of one hundred expert aviatorS, each
of whom owns his own machine.
These men may be ordered to the front
today. They and their machines will
be taken on transports to Vera Cruz
Badger for accommodating purposes.
A plan of campaign calling for the
dispatch of $4,000 troops to Vera cruz
has been worked out by the war de-
partment and Major General Leonard
Wood has received orders 10 go TO the
Mexican border with his entire staff
and establish his headquarters there.
Brigadier General Hugh l.. Scott will
be second in command.
A long military council was held at
the war department during the night
and the plans for moving this force
probably will go out within the next
pa hours. It is also understood that
orders are ready to be flashed TO con-
centrate the national guard of New
York, Illinois and several others states
which already have been ordered TO
prepare TO move.
Rebels Attitude Encourages.
The attitude of the constitutional
lists. who appear to be divided on the
question of supporting Huerta or re-
naming neutral, is encouraging to the
administration. Administration Off
Gals argue that with these forces di-
vided among themselves, there will be
less trouble in subduing the Dictator
Huerta. The news of the renewal of
the attack on Tampico by the rebels
is gratifying to the officials here It
means. the officials say. that the Unit
ed States will have less of a task to
take the place if the opposing Mexican
factions continue ~ each others
others thrOats. There is, however
great anxiety over the fate of Amer
leans at the oil town because of news
that IL is being bOmbarded
Little Importance is placed by Off
Gals on the ":overtures" of European
countries as to possible mediation be-