New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-14
DEFENDER OF VERA
CRUZ LOSES PLACE
Washington Suspicious OF
Huerta Changing Gen.
erals Now.

Vera Cruz. May 13.-President Huerta
has placed General Rubio Navarette IN
command Of the forces in front OF vera
Cruz, with headquarters at CORDOBA
II ia believed that General Huerta has
called General Mas to the capital 10
utilize him In the line OF defence
against the northern rebels.
General Navarette is an of1cer IN
whom Huerta always placed great con-
fidence, and he is regarded as the oest
artillery officer in the Mexican army
Placing him In charge OF Geherai
Maas.s command may have been due
in part to the record Of General Mas
at Vera Cruz when the American forces
landed. General Mas left the city
early in the lighting without calling
out all his troops. For this ne was
severely criticised by President Huerta.
Before taking command Genera
Navarette was in charge OF the work
of establishing the line of Mexican out
posts, and two days after the fghting
in Vera Cruz ceased he actuahy
travelled about unmolested within the
American lines, gathering all the IN
formation possible. His men are not
concentrated in sufficient numbers 10
arouse any fear Of attack, and reports
from Cordoba do not indicate that he
has received any great support from
the capital.
Meanwhile, 1t is known that his in
tell,ssnce department is working with
In the American lines to obtain such
information as II can. and that even
the women who accompany the Mexi-
can army to cook and care for the men
are making frequent visits into the
city. often as venders Of fruits and
vegetables.
The Americans have made little ef-
fort to stop these activities, as there
appears to be little information here
that the Mexicans might not as well
have.
washington. May 13.-News reached
Washington tonight that General Gar
cia Pena, one Of the highest ranking
officers in the Mexican Federal army,
had taken command OF the forces out
side of Vera Cruz. superseding Generai
Mas Another report is that General
Navarette. the artillery expert, had
succeeded TO the command.
At any rate, IT seems assured tnat
Huerta is strengthening his position in
rho vicinity of Vera Cruz, and this de-
velopment has caused all manner OF
speculation around the state, War and
Navy departments.
Como officials were inclined TO attach
snecial significance to the move seeing
in II evidence OF Huerta's intention 10
ossrms an offensive attitude. On the
other hand II was suggested that Cen
srai MASS conduct had displeased the
dictator, and that his removal prop
ably had nothing whatever 70 do with
the international situation.
,rbose who took the less optimistic
view thought that the fall of Tampico
to-day might have had the effect OF
making Huerta desperate and leading
him TO take some step that might
force the hand OF the United States
vithout awaiting the outcome OF the
nending mediation negotiations.
IN this connection II was suggested
that the force driven out OF Tampico
might undertake to march through the
mountains and effect junction with
tho army between Mexico City anu
Vera Cruz Some Of those most
familiar with the situation, however.
thought this highly improbable, as the
railroad toward san Luis Potosi over
which the Federals fed from Tampico.
IS in operation for only about thirty
miles and the Journey down the coast
ON foot would be impractlcaole,