Evening journal., 1914-05-08
BY The United Press


WASHINGTON. May 5. Reports
that Mexican kedcrals are mobolizinn III
commanding positions west Of Vera
Cruz led 70 the belief here today that
more troops must soon be moved IL
Mexico. Secretary OF War Garrison in-
sisted that no orders had been given snp
70 the present. He maintained that
dispatches from General Funston were
not the cause OF a hurried conference OF
the general stan held at midnight.
The exact reason for the conference
remained a mystery Extraordinary se-
creey was manifested. General Wother.
spoon, chiei Of staff. refused point blank
TO discuss the meeting. Secretaty ln
multy said
Reports Of an attack on the Ameri.
can forces at Vera Cruz and that 4 seri
ous crisis has arisen there are utterly
without foundation. General Funston
has reported to Secretary Garrison
stories brought TO him by refugees re-.
gafding the conditions in Mexico City.
they are, however, merely connrmatorv
81 what IS already known. and there Is
no intention at this time OF sending
any additional forces to Vera Cruz
Secretary Iumulty declined Is com
inent on the reason Tor the conference
between Secretary Garrison and the
members of the general stan which
lasted until long after midnight
Today Garrison said he could not talk
about u. Y was this unusual air uf
reserve that lent weight TO the belief
that the general stah did more than
talk about routine muttcrs.
JnoiRclally II was stated that the
conference was for discussion OF
future army operations.
Reports from refugees who fed
from Mexico City, principally regard
ing the alleged danger threatening
Americans unable TO leave Mexican
interior points, caused grave concern
today. lnconiirmed reports trans
mitted by Admiral Badger that two
oil wells near Tampico were burning
added % the tenseness Of the situa-
tion.
Among the rumors ailoat was one
that Huerta, having sent his family
TO the West Coast, was preparing ID
lead his army III person
Another unconnrmed report was
that Funston had advised officials
that two more VESSELS loaded with
munitions for iuerta wore on th,
Mexican coast Still another mad 4
that vessels with munitions for tht
Constitutionalists were OF rampico
That General Leonard Wood will
be in supreme command OF army
operations, II hostiIities result, was
made clear today by Secretary Gari-
son. He said General Franklin Boil.
who arrived at San Francisco aud
went al once TO the border, viii re-
main IN charge OF the second army
division. Should that division be
sent to Mexico. Bell VIII be- its head,
Funston will head the Fifth Brigade
and Wood Will be over all
Despite official denials and marked
reticence, Al was learned today that
Admiral Mayo has recommended
through Admiral Badger that oil ter
ritory near Tampico be occupied by
American forces for protection pur-
poses only II rs known that a
lengthy report dealing with the sllu-
alton there was received by the Navy
Department today II was laid before
the cabinet by Secretary Daniels
A rumor which neither Daniels nor
Bryau would discuss declared that two
oil wells, one OF them the property Of
the Pearson Syndicate 'of London We're
destroyed by fire yesterday. This re-
port was circulated in the diplomatic
corps. When Secretary Daniels was
asked whether he had heard anything
about il. he said that he had hau no
report today. he refused TO say, how
ever that he did not receive such re-
port yesterday
A delegation appointed az d meeting
OF the representatives OF the various
oil companies in the Iampieo district.
called on Secretary BRYAN today and de-
manded that steps be taken to safe
guard their property. The secretary