Evening star., 1914-04-19

week from Puerto. Mexico. on the At
Iantic coast, to Selma Cruz, on the
Pacific coast, and thence to san Fran.
cisco. Puget sound and the Hawaiian
Islands Thousands of tons, consltut-
ing the valuable sugar crop of the
Hawaiian Islands. Is shipped back across
mia and New York This freight. it
was learned. Huerta proposed to seize
in reprisal for any overt act against
him by the United States
Will Thwart Huerta's Plan.
II was learned on unquestionable au-
thority last night that the United States
has made all necessary moves for
thwartinG any such attempt by Huerta-
State Department officials have heard
of incipient anti-American demonstra-
tions in Mexico City and in Vera Cruz,
but do not take the reports seriously.
They think they are inspired, probably,
by Huerta himself They do not be-
lieve that any serious demonstration
would be attempted except on the mi
tiative of Huerta. and they believe he
would not dare to do 1t.
Those who discussed this phase of
the question gave a hint that secret
agents of the United States govern
ment have been unostentatiously living
for several months in the Mexican cap
tion unoff1cially to observe and report
any such act of treachery against the
Washington government or its inter
est
by wire from President Wilson, Sena-
tor James p. Clarke will leave Little
Rock. Ark. for Washington tonight.
Senator Clarke is the third ranking
member of the Senate foreign rela-
tions committee.
Envoys Eager for Facts.
Ambassadors and ministers were eager
to learn the purposes of the American
government and were supplied with in
formation at the state Department. A
summary of the developments of the day
was cabled to all American embassies
and legations for the information of
foreign governments.
In the meantime. the Atlantic and Pa
cific fleets continued steaning southwark
to Mexican ports. No orders were issued
to the army.
The determination to force a definite
reply from Huerta. ending the tolerance
of the United States with his dilatory
tactics, was emphasized strongly in the
days developments. IT was a day of
action in official circles. reminiscent to
many of the scenes of 1895, for at no
time since then has President threaten
ed TO ask Congress to use the army and
navy to enforce foreign policy.
Attitude Obstinate.
Though the text of Huerta's answer
was not made public other officials des-
cribed the dictators attitude as very
obstinate" and insisting on a stimuli
taneous salute.
That Huerta had merely Suggested
officials found they had interpreted his
previous inquiries and suggestions" as
promises.
1t was O'Clock before the utimatum
to Huerta had been put into cipher and
dispatched from Washingto Officials
estimated it would be delivered in Mexico
City early last night. Allowing time for
its consideration by Huerta and his adj
vsers. it was not believed any answer
would reach here before this afternoon.
In the meantime the aids at the Navy
Department went into secret conference.
completing plans for the movement of
warships and marines.
Bryan Talks to Daniels.
Secretary Bryan talked with Secretary
Daniels. who is in Cleveland. over the
long-distance telephone last evening and
told him he would not be needed here be-
fore 4:45 o'clock this afternoon, the hour
at which Mr.. Daniels expects to return to
Washington.
Rear Admiral Victor Blue acting Sec
Admiral Badger. on the flagship Arkan-
sas. at the head of the fleet speeding to
Mexico, the text of President Wilson s
statement giving Huerta until pm.
today.
1t also was forwarded to Rear Admiral
Fletcher at Vera Cruz, who will COM
municate il to Rear Admiral Mayo, at
Tampico. Rear Admiral Howard COM
manding the squadron In Pacific Mex
lean waters. also was notified.
Battleships Delayed.
The Navy Department received dis
patches statingn that four battleships,
two dispatch boats and a collier of the
American Atlantic fleet passed Palm
Beach, Fla. southwark bound at $50
am. yesterday, ten hours later than due.
The battleships are understood to have
been delayed from some unknown cause
at Jupiter. twenty-five miles above Palm
Beach.
The 4th Marine Regiment on the Pacific
coast was ordered southwark. The ar
mored cruiser South Dakota with 26O
marines was dispatched from Bremerton
remaining GOO marines will be divided
with the collier Jupiter. Then the two
craft will steam to San Diego, to await
further orders.
The destroyer Balch took on torpedoes
at Newport. r l., yesterday and filled
her complement of men with ordinary
seamen from the training station. She
will sail early today to join the Atlantic
torpedo fotilla at Key West
The two powerful dreadnoughts Texas
and New York, at New York although
not under orders, are ready to start for
Mexico upon twelve hours notice. The
Virginia. Georgia, Nebraska and Rhode
Island. at Boston, would be ready by the
end of the month.
Transport Reaches Tampico.
The transport Hancock already has ar
rived at Tamp;co with 800 marines, and
the cruisers Des Moines and San Fran
cisco. the gunboat Dolphin. the scout
cruiser Chester. the transport Buffalo
and the collier Cyclops already are there
At Vera Cruz. Rear Admiral Fletcher
has the battleships Florida and Utah and
the transport Prairie with a large COM
plement Of marines The battleships
under Rear Admiral Badger are to ar
rive Tuesday. On orders from Washing
ton they could reach Tampico tomorrow.
1t was generally agreed, however that
the force now at Tampico and Vera Cruz
Is sufficient to carry out any plan of
action President Wilson may direct
The United States auxiliary ship Leon
idas was ordered to sail from Portsmouth,
y H. for Tampico Wednesday The
collier Mars is also preparing to go TO
Tamptco.