The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-02
THE CABINET CONSIDERS
 OTHER AFFAIRS THAN MEXICO

The regular cabinet meeting today was devoted largely to affairs other than Mex ico, showing that much of the tension has disappeared Members of the cabinet spoke hopefully of the demiation proceed ings, and felt, from it's present aspect. that it would work out" Secretary Bry- an said the point in the negotiations where 1t was necessary to submit a basis for the American governments position had not been reached.
 The .fc'j~e administration is scrupu- 'SEsiy avoiding any move that might be construed as designed to influence the me- diators. The President has cancelled his semi-weelSly conference with the press for the time being on this account.
 The envoys of Brazil Argentina and Chile have dual capacity in their pres- ent intermediation. They make up vir- tually an international court, and as such are entirely independent, the United States being party to te hproceedings. Each of them, however, Is accredited to the United States. and they are holding their sessions at Washington. For this reason there is desire to avoid any ap- pearance of having their individual ca pacity as envoys to the United States influence their attitude as an fndepend- ent and impartial tribunal, detached from all pressure from any of the parties con- cerned.
 Secretaries Bryan and Daniels made ef- forts today to neutralize the oil wells at Tampce It developed that the local ac- thorities at the town would take no &C., ton until advised by their superiors So the British embassy continued its efforts to get an understanding with the Huerta government, while the United States con- municated with General Carranza. The reopening of the American consulate at Tampico is expected to assist in Keeping the wells from being destroyed General Iaragoza, the federal commander there. has promised American Consul Miller protection.
 Most of Wells Out of Range
 Secretary Daniels today said he had been informed that most of the wells had been capped with cement and that ordi- nary gun fire would not ignite them. Most of the wells, too, are out of range of fighting in the dsty.
 Interference with foreign commerce at Tampico produced much discussion at the state and navy departments, but no formal announcement of policy. Accord Ing to precedent it was said, neither the constitutionalists nor federals have any right to interfere with commercial ves- they land.
 At the war department Secretary Garrison announced his intention of removing all civil officials at Vera Cruz. replacing them with army off cers MT. Garrison said no reflection was intended on the men already chosen, but that 1t was customary un der military occupation for all off cers to be directly responsible to the war department. He said Admiral Fletcher had chosen civilians because the navy did not have the machinery for municipal government the army having legal officers and others qual- flied to handle government. Accord ing to war department officials, 1t Is necessary to make the courts at Vera Cruz military tribunals or damage suits against the civil government there might result in claims against the American government. martial law re- moving that possibility.
 Get Americans Out
 The state department today was busy getting Americans out of Mexico. En- couraging but not final word About Dr. Edward Ryan was received. Tho Huerta government promised to release him if it was found that he were be- ing held as unofficia1ly reported The latest advices from the Mexico City foreign office was that no confirma- tion of Ryan's arrest had been re- ceived. The Huerta government prom ised also to afford him financial as- sistance if necessary to reach Vera Cruz.
 For time during the day the Ryan case threatened serious consequences, for, if Dr. Ryan, an American official, was to be shot as spy at Zacatecas. as first reported, 1t promised to raise another grave issue over the execution of an official after a military armistice was in effect. For this reason Secre- tary Bryan made the most urgent rep resentations to the Spanish ambassa- dor who repeated them with the same urgency to Mexico City. The medi- ators also for time felt this might cause an unfavorable incident The sit- uation was greatly relieved late in the day on receipt of dispatches from Gen. eral Huerta's foreign minister saying orders had been given to release pr, Ryan if imprisoned and give him safe conduct to Mexico City or Vera Cruz.
 Ryan Is Saved
 Mexico City, May 1.--Dr. Edward Ryan of the American Red Cross. who was captured at Zacatecas by command of General Joaquin Maas and sentenced to death as spy. was saved by an order signed by Minister of War BlanQuet at il o'clock last night.
 Dr. Ryan will be brought to this city and turned over to the Brazilian lega- tion.
 Huerta Ordered Release
 Vera Cruz. May President Huerta to- day yD0rdered the immediate release of pr.