The Sentinel=record., 1914-06-03
THE STEAMER ANTILLA CLEARS FROM NEW YORK WITH CARGO
 OF WAR MATERIALS.
SECRETARY BRYAN SURPRISED
Officials Claim Order Preventing Shipment of Arms to Any Port in Mexico From This Country Was Delayed in Transit

Delayed in Transit.
 Washington, June 2.-Ammunition for the Mexican constitutionalists left American shores from New York today bound for Tampico, while the Mexican mediation apparently marked time at Niagara Falls, the attitude of the constitutionalists is d stumbling block in the negotiations.
 Information that the seamer An tilla, which recently was fired on by Constitutionalsts outside Tampico had left New York with munitions of war created considerable stir m Washington. The vessel was cleared without reference on the part of the United States, greatly to the sur prise of Secretary Bryan and other department officials. Subsequently it was discovered that an order to prevent clearances of such vessels had been delayed and that the An tiila had procured clearance while Washington believed effectual steps had been taken to prevent her sail ing.
 Up to the present Tampico has been regarded as an open port. The United States, however, has sought to maintain an embargo on arms to Mexico across the border, and last Friday when it became apparent mn nitions of war for the constitutional ists were being prepared for ship ment from New York, ali order was issued to prevent clearances of yes sels bearing arms for any Mexican port. This order did not reach the proper port officials until late today, after clearance papers had been is- sued to the Antilla.
 Word of the order did not reach the war department until today though army officials for many weeks nave been enforcing an em- bargo on arms along the Mexican border.
 No embargo from American ports was contemplated until the cOnstitu- tionalists captured the port of Tam pico. Then it became apparent that this government would be required to prevent shipments of ammunition to the revolutionaists to preserre neutrality between the Huerta and Carranza factions. Whether the United States will attempt to pre- vent the landing of the Antilla's cargo at Tampico is problematical Army and navy officials were consid- erably exercised over the incident and there were reports current that several other shiploads of ammuni- tion have been under way for several days. bound also for Tampico.
 Mediation developments at Niagara Falls may prove an important factor, it is declared tonight, in shaping the treatment of TampicO as an open port. In some quarters it was main tained the United States could not interfere with landing arms for the constitutionalists because arms for Huerta were permitted to be landed at Puerto Mexico.
 On the other hand it was argued that should a protocol between the Huerta and United States represen- tatives be agreed to at Niagara Falls this government might be bound to prevent shipment of arms to Car ranza forces.
 President Wilson and the cabinet discussed the mediation situation early in the day and dispatch later was sent to Commissioners Lamar and Lehman at Niagara Falls. This message was, believed to have con cerned the attitude of Carranza, whose recently authorized views to- ward the present course of mediation have aroused considerable concern.
 Constitutionalist representatives in Washington did not anticipate today any change in their status at Niagara Falls.
 Information received from Mexico City today outlined a plan said to be contemplated by General Huerta for holding a popular election without awaiting the result of mediation or the outcome of the constitutionalist rebellion. The message said Huerta proposed to hold provisional elections July 5 to choose various state off cials, afiording all clements now at war an opportunity to participate, and to give at this election an oppor- tunity for the electors to express preferences for the presidency. In