Omaha daily bee., 1914-05-13
Brazilian Minister in Mexico City
Assured American Official Will
Be Given Freedom.
CABINET TALKS OF MEDIATION
Instructions to American Represent
atives Are Discussed.
VERA CRUZ is IN NO DANGER
Funston Reports that Attack on City
is improbable.
NEW SOUTH AMERICAN ISSUE
Arrest OF BrAEiIIRR an Tramp steam
ship In Vera Crus on Charge of
SnIpInw Raises Delicate
Diplomatic POInt.

Diplomatic PoInt.
WASHINGTON May i2--Members W
the cabinet, after prolonged conference
with President Wilson today on the Next
can situation declared the president
maintained confidence that mediation
would succeed and that further serious
consequences In Mexico would be averted.
Most OF the discussion in the cabinet
meeting. II was said. related to media
tion. and the views to he presented ON
behalf OF this government by Justice
Lamar and Frederick w. Lehman, when
the South American envoys receive views
of'the United states and Huerta's repre-
sentatives at the Niagara Falls confer
ence.
The situation at Tampico was reported
To have been discussed. Complications
that might arise over the foreign owned
oil property there should destruction re-
suit from the conflict between constitu-
tlonallst and federal forces. have been
under consideration Tor some time
The report from London that Great
Britain had ordered the Bristol a speedy
cruiser to proceed TO Tampico was not
redagred az particularly significant here.
As the Bristol is OF light draft. IL was
believed 1t might be used to operate in
the Panuco river, along which the British
oil properties are located.
Secretary Bryan announced after the
meeting that reports made to this gov
ernment by South Americans, in behalf
OF the South American snipers under
arrest In Vera Cruz, were made at the
request OF the Huerta government lie
understood, he said, that this had been
done on the ground thai "sniping had
occurred In Mexican territory. lie added
there was a question as to whether one
Of the South Americans accused was a
Brazilian or a Venezuelan.
Admiral Howard. commanding the
American fleet off the west coast OF
Mexico, today reported battle between
Mexican federaia. .snslsh.z .zRpata araVolution-
lists twenty miles from Acapulco. Admiral
Howard said that sixteen reyolutionists
were killed. The fighting at Maastsn
continues. the report said.
/ WASHINGTON. May 12.--Senor olivera,
the Brasilian minister in Mexico City, In
formed the state department today that
/ the Mexican government has ordered the
immediate release OF Vice Consul John
| r snliman, held r prisoner at Saltlllo.
The minister added that as soon as Mr..
snrman reached Mexico City he would
obtain for him safe conduct 10 Nern trt Z.
! President Wilson and members Of the
| cabinet discussed today plans for par
! tcipation by the United States In the
Mexican mediation conference TO begin
next Monday at Niagara Falls, Ont, and
various problems which have arisen since
the occupation OF Vera Cruz by American
| military forces.
Just before the cabinet met a message
was received from General Funston at
| Vera Cruz In which the American com
mander said no attention should be pad
| "alarmist reports" that Mexican forces
were threatening TO attack the Vera Cruz
! water works. General Funston said there
was no indication OF movements OF Mex
! lean troops in preparation for any such
attack.
There have been rumOrs." General
! Funstons message read. that an attack
was threatened. These have been due 10
remarks attributed to General Mas. The
water works cannot be taken from us BY
force. II the pipe line should be cut u
could be repaired in a few hours
General Funston added that 200 sacks
Of American mail destined for Mexico
city and delivered at the break in the
railroad still lay on the tracks in posses
sion OF the Mexican outpost. He had no
news OF Private Parks, who rode into
the Mexican lines and has not returned.
south Americans Present Issue.
Among issues the president and cabinet
had under consideration was the appeal
from the Brazilian minister at Mexico
lefty to General Funston on fehslf OF five
South Americans now under arrest at
Vera cruz for "sniping" American sol
diers from a tramp steamer. Three Bra
zllians are among the prisoners. and the
appeal, coming from a diplomatic repre-
sentative OF one Of the mediatinE ma
tions has presented delicate problem
for decision. The manning by American
forces Of the lighthouse on Lobos island
eff Tampico, which, Huertas foreign min
ister has protested, Is a violation OF the
armistice, also was taken up in the eabi-
net meeting.
Justice Lamar and Frederick w. Lob
mann, chosen to represent the United
States at the mediation conference.
awaited word early today from Secretary
Bryan before completing arrangements
for their mission.
Consul w. f. Alger, from Mazatlan.
reported today at the State department
for instructions. He stated that between
1900 and 1900 eOnstitutlonaiists were, IN
the vicinity OF Mazatlan when he left.
Al that time they were projecting troops
ION the firing line in alternating thousands
in the hope OF wearing out the foderals.
Thirty Americans were left in Mazatlan
at their own wish. Most of these were
women and children.
Offensive Moves Improbable.
VERA CRUZ. May i2.-While the hsxi-
can commissioners are enroute 70 attend
the Niagara. Canada, peace conference
and during the aassions of The coufsnsY.r.