New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-08
WARSHIP ORDERS
SMACK OF ACTION
Secrecy in Mexican Trip OF
Dreadnoughts Portends
Move by Wilson.
OFFICIAL ADMISSION
FOLLOWS DENlALS
Rumors of Renewed Pressure
from Europe Heighten Ten
sion in Army and Navy.
Iron The Tribune Bureau.l


rFrom The Tribune Bureaul
Washington. Jan. After period OF
mystery and emphatic denials IT was OF
0riallv admitted at the NAVY Department
this afternoon that the dreadnoughts
Delaware. Florida and Utah would pro-
coed to Mexican waters in February II
was stated at the same time that these
vessels would relieve three other battle
ships-the Rhode Island, the New Jersey
and the Nebraska.
The fact that the battleships. which
are OF the first division OF the Atlantic
feet, which is soon TO proceed TO the
West Indies for manpuyres and target
practice, are actually going to Mexico
was admitted through an Inquiry follow
ing The Tribunes announcement OF the
intention OF the Navy Department to send
these vessels to Mexico
The reticence OF the department con-
corning this shift has tended to heighten
the belief that something is soon to be
done by the administration In Mexico
else there would he no necessity Tor
secrecy concerning a simple change OF
vessels on the Mexican station.
The Tribune correspondent is now in
formed that the higher officials OF the
| Navy Department are working OH plan
for sending q number OF smaller ships to
| Mexican waters. II is stated that smail
Cunboats and cruisers now in reserve
and out of commission at the several
wards on the Atlantic coast will soon be
put into commission and sent to Mexico.
I Just what ships these will be has not
! been determined, and will not be until the
experts complete their survey of the SIT
| uation and make their final plans. 1t Is
stated further that the sending OF more
| gunboats and other smaller lighting GRAZ
may result in relieving certain battleshlps
from duty in Mexican waters. PROVIDED
| that the administration takes no forward
| step in Mexico. 1t has been repeatedly
shown that smaller ships are Of far more
value in the present Mexican situation
than dreadnoughts because of the fact
I that at most ports on the Gulf the battle
ships are compelled to lie far of shore.
Force Of 10000 Men Planned.
! The presence of the big battleships,
/ however will be essential II the govern
|
administrations plans for intervention, II
| intervention ever comes, contemplate the
/ utilization Of force Of 10000 bluejackets
and marines. These would be drawn
| from the battleships and elsewhere. III
intervention is not contemplated In the
! immediate future the smaller ships VIII
| be adequate to look after American IN
| terests in Mexican seaports.
Whatever Is done with the battleships,
whether they are withdrawn from Mexico
i'm whole or in part. or II the ships OF the
first division are now going to Mexico TO
relieve others or not. 1t is the Navy De-
| partment's plan so TO distribute the nght-
ing craft of the feet that there Will be no
ship more than five days cruise from the
| Mexican coast.
| II NAV be said that the Mexican "situa-
ton" Is growing tense again, and there
are many Indications that the admnistra-
ton is contemplating action. There are
reports that pressure from Europe Is be-
ing once more exerted, and 1t Is recalled
that all previous activity with regard to
Mexico has invariably had the stimulus OF
F,uropean dissatisfaction with conditions
! in that country.
The secrecy and mystery surrounding
plans for shifting ships. the recent warm
ing from the State Department against
| Americans returning TO Mexico. Mr.
Bryan's unexpected prayer in Lincoln
asking that war with Mexico be made UNI
necessary. the more or less mysterious
visit of John Lind to the President, and
an unusual alertness which is discernible
in both the War and Navy departments
have created a feeling that action is soon
to be taken. Positive proof. however Is
lacking as far as Washington is con-
cerned
| II NAV lie that the President has de-
cided to do something. and next week
when the President will be back in Wash
ington, as well as Mr.. Bryan, develop
ments may take place.
Talk Of Split with Bryan.
There was an interesting rumor In cir
culation to-day that If war with Mexico
is decided upon, which is what interven-
| ton would doubtless prove to be, Mr..
Bryan will resign his portfolio rather
| than be connected with an administra-
| ton involved ir war. The story which.
| like SO many other rumors of the day. is
| without confirmation. is that there Is 4
| growing divergence of views between the
President and his Secretary of State. The
President. 1t is asserted. contemplates in
PREVENTION in Mexico His premier Is SO
utterly averse to this step. which would
mean bloodshed, that he would not care
to continue in his present capacity.