New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-12
Rebels, Following Night
Attack, Prepare for Final
Assault on City.
BATTLE REGARDED AS
DECISIVE ONE OF WAR
Constitutionalist Victory May
Mean Recognition, as Well
as Rich Revenue.

Washington, May u.-Ihe pat"o "
Tampico. where the Constitutionalists are
fighting 10 acquire a seaport. began last
night, according to Navy Department ad-
vices. Rear Admiral Mayo reporting to-
day that during the night there were
twenty-three shots. Otherwise. he says
all was quiet The administration Is
awaiting further information.
Every resource the Constitutionalists
have will be put TO the test to win TINS
battle of Tampico. From many points OIL
view It is regarded az the most important
conflict OF the war. Constltuuonahsts
here declare that possession OF the port
OF Tamplco means that the rebel leaders
will collect $4,000 a week in customs rev.
enues and export taxes
More Important, however. is the posi-
bility that once in possession of the I'M
portant port OF Tampico the rebels can
claim, and possibly obtain. recognition
from European countries which now. be-
cause they have recognized Huerta, owe
friendly allegiance to the government In
Mexico city and can look on the Consti-
,utionalists only as rebels I'm arms. Inter
national law experts think that the con-
stitutionalists will be entitled 10 recogni-
ton IL they capture the port. as 1t Is not
likely that IIuerta, under the circuln-
stances. can establish blockade or otn-
erwise detract from the'importance of the
rebel control of Tampico.
Tho administration will be confronted,
~ the rebels succeed. with the problem OF
permitting the Constitutionalists to I'M
port arms through Tampico from the
United States. Definite information as 10
the course which will be followed cannot
be obtained, but the State Department
wing OF the government Is confidently ex-
pected TO hold that there is nothing In
American or international law which will
prevent free importation OF arms. the
state Department Will also be opposed 10
the issuance OF any orders against the
shipment OF arms from the United States.
This presents the possibility of another
clash between the State and War depart
ments. Secretary Garrison and his mill
tary advisors are opposed to permitting
the rebels 10 have any more arms and
ammunition, on the theory that there IL
no telling how soon they VIII be USED
against American soldiers.
The state Department, however is pc
coming more and more convinced that the
Constitutionalsts will assume an attitude
entirely satisfa Glory 20 the United states
II Is assumed that the Constituencies
have already shown that they are In har-
monv with the American policy and that
they no longer object. as they did at hrst'
70 the presence OF an American force IN
Vera Cruz.
War Department officials, however re-
fuse to subscribe TO this view. They put
no faith In either Carranza or villa ana
believe that either or both Will turn on
the United States whenever their own
interests make 1t expedient or desirable
for them to do so.
Juarez. Mexico, May 11.-News OF the
fate Of Tampico still Is awaited here by
Constitutionalist officials. While rumors
have reached here through unofficial
channels that General Pablo Gonzales ana
General Luis Cabelerro. in command or the
insurgents, have captured the city, OH
cials here believe the main attack on the
position OF General Zaragoza has not yet
been pressed home.
They place supreme confidence, how
ever on the handling Of the artillery by
Major Manuel Prieto, who is In charge
Of the rebel guns. Major Prieto is a
graduate of Chaputepec Military Acad-
envy and is expected to open tho way for
a dash by the dlsmounted troops OF the
rebel forces.
Mexico city, May 1.-THE rebels at
tackled Tampico on Saturday and we're
defeated with serious losses, General
Ignacio Morelos Zaragoza, Federal com
mander at Tampico. announced In an ON
cial message which he sent TO the War
Department to-day.
a ~