The Penn's Grove record., 1914-05-15

Misunderstanding preparations
have completely overshadowed in in
terest the diplomatic developments in
the Mexican situation.
Warlike preparations were rushed
by the Washington Government fol-
lowing the announcement about Ger
man steamers with shipments OF NUM-
tions of wal for Huerta.
Two Army brigades, the Fourth and
Sixth, were made ready at Galveston,
Tex, on orders from the War Depart
ment to embark for Mexico at a mo-
ment's notice.
Lindley M. Garrison, Secretary of
War, announced that six steamships
had been chartered to transport rein
forcements to Brigadier General Funs-
ton in Vera CruI"in case it is thought
WISE"
These additional vessels will make
a total of twelve that can be used in
an emergency. All are under orders
20 be prepared to get away as soon
as possible.
The Hospital Corps of the Army,
under rush orders, is getting ready
for any service that may be required,
and is prepared to respond at the
first blast of the bugle.
General Funston has informed the
War Department that he will need at
least Is, o. or 10000 men to hold Vera
Cr,,1 opd +ha orflvjnO districts ho
has now garrisoned.
High officers of the Army are urging
the sending of $4,000 or $4,000 troops
to Vera Cruz without delay. Observ-
ers of the situation cannot understand
why such a force is asked for unless
the plans contemplate a general ad-
vance on Mexico City.
Garrison Disclalms Aggression.
The Government asked the Cover
nors Of several States how many men
each of them could furnish on short
notice for service in Mexico.
The transports Meade, Fitzpatrick,
San Marcos and Sumner, are at Gal
weston. The Saltillo is at Vera Cruz.
The Mcclellan, recently made a refrig-
Grating ship, completes the fleet of
craft at the disposal of the War De-
partment.
Garrison made a statement in which
he disclaims any aggression on the
part of the Government. His Ian
guage tends to allay suspicion that
these extra ships are to take troops
to Vera Cruz In response to Funston's
urgent request for re-inforcements.
Huerta Makes Complaint.
The A. B. c. mediators received
from Huerta a complaint that the new
landing of American troops and war
material in Vera Cruz amounts to a
breaking of the armistice.
Diplomats said they see in the
course of. things only one outcome,
and that is a break in which the
United States will be forced to deal
with a blow-up in the City of Mexico.
An important development regarded
by diplomats as having a great bear
ing on the outlook, was the capture
of Cuernavaca, capital of the state of
Morelos, by the bandit Emiliano Ia
pata and his forces. Cuernavaca is
only forty miles from Mexico City.
Appeal Made to Governors.
1t is understood that the Governors
of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio
were informed of the acuteness of the
situation and asked how many Ma
tional Guardsmen each had immedh
stely available and fully equipped.
The officers in the militia division
declined emphatically to indicate
whether General Macklin of the Mary
land Nations, Guard had been recent
ly requested for similar information.
They did not deny, however, that
they were being advised from time
to time by the Marylanders of the
state of the troops.
If an expedition is to be organized
for an invasion of Mexico, it seems
practically certain that the War De-
partment will turn first to the troops
of all the Atlantic coast States.
This was the reason why the New
York situation was inquired into. If
needed, the State guard could be mo
bilized near New York city In twenty
four to forty eight hours and be placed
in a position for quick transportation
to Vera Cruz, Tampico or Galveston,
as the case might be.
In this connection it is known, too,
that the Quartermaster General is
checking up on all the available pas
CON Cor upCcQ1c a1onn tbo ooo~+ +ho+