The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-10

situation frauSht with pcrilS for
mediation and with possibilities that
might prccipitate actual warfare be-
tween the United States and Mexico.
Gen. Huerta has brought about the
new crisis by ordering his gunboats
to seize a cargo of ammunition ell
route there for the Mexican consti-
tutionalsts. The shipment is aboard
the steamer Antilla from New York,
flying the Cuban flag. The Antilla
is due at Tampico Wednesday.
Huerta has notified the powers of
his intention to blockade the port and
that he proposes to seize the cargo
consigned to the belligerents against
his sovereignty as cOntraband Of war.
The purpose Of the United States
to suppress the attempt to blockade
am! prevent interference with the
Antilla was indicated tonight when
Secretary Daniels issued an official
statement announcing that while no
new orders had been given Rear Ad-
miral Badger, there had been no
change in the policy of the govern
ment in reference to it's desire that
the port Of Tampico shall be open
to all commerce.
The statement follows:
THE navy department has issued
no new orders to Admiral Badger
since the Mexican gunboats were re-
ported to be leaving Puerto Mexico.
The department has Mt. no time con-
templated furnishing q convoy to the
Antilla, or any other ship, nor have
any orders to that effect been issued.
No word whatever has been received
as to whether or not the warships Of
other nations have been notified of
TIE blockade at Tampco or what their
altitude will be towards such "a
blockade. There has been no change
in the policy of the government in
reference to its desire that the port
of TampicO shall be open TO all COM
merce."
AS to whether "all commerce" in
this instance includes contraband of
war, no official Of the government will
discuss.
SO far as known the only orders re-
1nf fi,,,r TO To
sued went to Admiral Badger on May
Is in a message informing him that,
while it was not believed the Huerta
gunboats would return to Tampico, it
was deemed advisable that the COM
manders Of American naval vessels
understood that the government de-
sired that there be no Interference
with commerce at that port.
That an attempt to carry out the
blockade decree will be made was
verified today by Admiral Badger in a
report to the navy department from
Vera Cruz, announcing that the Mex
lean gunboats Zaragoza and Bravo,
which left Puerto Mexico last night,
had passed Vera Cruz and were
steaming towards Tampico. The
American cruiser Tacoma and gun
boat Sacramento are following the
Eluerta ships.
The message from Admiral Badger
received by the navy department to-
day read as follows:
40 a. m., Sunday, June Z. Posi-
ton of Mexican gunboats Bravo and
ZaragOza at 8 a. m., latitude 1913,
longitude 9G-3, headed for Tampico,
making about nine knots. Should ar
rive off PanucO river about a. m.
tomorrow. Tacoma and Sacramento
following i'm observation.
(Signcd) Badger"
When this report reached Washing
ton it Immediately was communicated
I" President Wilson, Secretary Dan !
icls and Secretary Bryan. Secretary
Daniels FASTENED from church to his
office, but denied himself to inter-
viewers. Throughout the day he would :
make no statement. Neither would
Secretary Bryan, nor was there any
Iotiical Information obtainablc from
the White House.
The president conferred over the
telephone with cabinet officials and
American delegates to the Niagara
also received messages from the
Falls mediation conference. These .
were believed to have a bearing ON
the impending situation at TampicO.
Three possibilities were discussed
i'm official quarters tonight rs likely
to arise in view Of the problem that
Cen. llucrta'S decisive action has pre-
scented. Should the order To Admiral
Badger be construed as to include