The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-15
Blockade of Tampic0
May Raise a Problem

1t was Mexican and not Norwe-
Sian vessel from which shots were
fired against Americans at Vera Cruz,
for which incident five South Ameri-'
cans were arrested. according to a re-
port from General Funston to Secre-
tary Garrison. The case is still under
investigation.
/ No fepties were received at the state
pae1ngeht during the day 10 the de-
mands for information concerning
John r. Stlliman, the missing Ameri-
can vice consul at Saltillo, and Samuel
Parks. the American orderly repulsed
by federalS near Vera Cruz
Secretary Bryan was giving much
attention to the status of the foreign
Oil operatives in the country surround
ing TampiCO. The British ambassador
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, and Mr. Van
RapEard, the Netherlands minister,
after long conference at the state
department expressed their Satisfac-
ton at the outcome of the meeting It
is understood that satisfactory assur-
ances had been received as to the safe
ty of the Wol kmen and tanks, remOV-
ing danger OF foreign complications.
The question of the imposition by
the constitutlonalists of an export tax
on the oil which in normal times is
shipped from Vera Cruz at the rate of
10000 barrels per day, was not touch
ed on in this conference and it Is be-
| lieVed that as long as the defacto au-
| thorities at Tampico confine them
selves to the collection of the tax fixed
in the original Mexican law there will
| be no organized protest.
Although Admiral Mayo has return
| ed with his fleet to the shelter of the
| Panuco river. to the relief of navy de-
partment officials, who realized the
danger and discomfort to which the
American sailors were exposed in the
| stormy season lying at anchor in the
open sea, it was made plain that he
was not to land any marines or sailors
or to assert any authority whatever
over Tampico. He has not asked for
or received anv instructions regarding
the admission Of arms into the port.
Another phase of the complicated
situation th6t attracted much atten-
tion was the embarrassment which
success brings to the constitutional
lists in the form of demands for COM
pensation for losses to foreigners
within their sphere Of influence, which
foreign governments are pressing with
increasing force, the further the con-
lstitutionalists establish themselves as
responsible masters of northern Mexi-
|, CO. Spain takes a particular interest
4 in this question of compensation, many
Spanish subjects having submitted
complaints against CarranZa and his
subordinates for confiscation or de-
struction of their property, forced
loans, imprisonment or election from
the country. Z. 49,.
! The Spanish ambassador called at
} the state department to see what could
be done for 800 Spaniards elected by
, the constitutionalists from Torreon
, He also has bill to present for $2O,-
!, 000 900 worth of Spanish owned cot
! ton, alleged to have been confiscated
by the constitutionaIists at Torreon.
/ "Force1 loans" levied upon foreign
ers in Mexico furnish further occasion
for strong diplomatic representations
the nearer General Carranza comes tt
establishing & government to which
.sI such representations can be addressed
with prospects Of success.
. The case CT William S. Benton, the
4 British subject killed at Juarez, alsc
. lIooms threateningly on the constitl.
. tionalist horizon. Great Britain has
announced that it will exact adequate
preparation for Benton's death.
Though much interested here in the
sudden displacement of General Mas
of the command Of the federal force:
/ loutside of Vera Cruz. the war depart
) lment has been unable to procure an!
adequate explanation and Genera
: Funston reported that even at Vert
/ cruz the reason for this change is un
known.