The Sentinel=record., 1914-05-05

At the same tune the military as pect of the situation again became in- creasingly prominent General Fun ston reported renewed demands by Mexican deferal outposts for the sur render of the water works supplying Vera Cruz. No shots were fired and the Mexicans fell back, but General Funston voiced the prevailing spirit in military quarters in inquiring as to what steps the United States contem- plated in view of the threatening sit nation.
 Secretary Garrison conferred with his military chiefs but said no fur ther orders had been given for the movement of troops and none are con- temp ated during the period of nego- tiations The Fourth or Sixth brigade of the Second division of the army, with headquarters at Texas City, is ready, however, and could board quickly the four transports due back at Galveston today if more troops are needed.
 Word that TIuerta was in desperate straits came from many quarters One dispatch from a foreign minister at. Mexico City said briefly of Huerta. Position desperate" but gave no de- tails. Another through diplomatic channels reported Mexico City out wardly quiet today Stin another re- ferred to the doubtful attitude of the troops heretofore loyal to Huerta. ln- formation also came that the quarrels between General Rlanquet minister of war, and tIuerta, might bring Blanquet to the front in the event of Huerta's fall, much as Huerta rose on the collapse of the Madero regime and the Felix Diaz movement.
 The Brazilian minister in Mexico City notified the state department that Americans there were ia no way harassed or in danger, but that he had advised them to remain in close quarters and avoid demonstrations until they could leave.
 This situation at Mexico City gave added importance to the summoning of Joaquin D'Casus. It is believed that his real post was to be minister of foreign affairs at Mexico City, to| take the place of the inexperienced Ruiz. named last Saturday when 'ruerta disposed of Roias. The mini' ter of foreign affairs is in direct line for the presidency under the Mexican constitution so that this would bring to the succession a man regarded as| particularly strong in case Huerta disappeared from the scene, DCa sus was formerly Mexican ambassa- dor at Washington and those whoI know him well, including some of the| mediators. spoke in high terms Of his fitness for the foreign ministry and the presidential succession at this juncture.
 The understanding that the media tors would limit their efforts for the time being 10 the settlement of the Tampico incident which was responsi- ble for the presence of American troops at Vera Cruz indicate that not only three envoys had given up hope of interesting the constitutiolalists leaders actively in the first stage of the negotiations, but also had deter mined to postpone consideration of any general settlement of the ques- tions at issue between Huerta and the American government until this del- icate point was aiusted. By this pro. cedure the mediators would avoid the problems of quasirecognitiOn of Huerta or of the elimination of the Mexican dictator as conditions prece- dent to mediation, which diplomatic skeptics were earlier sure would wreck the negotiations in the very outset.
 simpler problem, that of the de- dree and nature of the amends to be offered by Huerta for the conduct of his generals and subordinates at Tampico and Vera Cruz would be left for the mediators to solve and sue cess in this preliminary effort would contribute greatly to the chances of working out a general settlement Of the Mexican imbroglin
 The mediators held three long ses- sons during the day and reported that they were moving ahead steadily. They expressed satisfaction with the class of men chosen by Huerta as his delegates to confer with them. The appointment of Rabasa brings a big man into the. proceedings. He is about 60 years old, a lawyer and one of the foremost authorities on inter- national law in Mexico. He is one of the closest advisers of General Huerta and it has been said in Mex. ico that he was in the combination with Huerta and Fe'ix Diaz which disposed of the Madero government. The other Huerta delegate. Senor Garza, is young lawyer, secretary to the vice president under Porfirio DaZ.
 The mediators will continue in complete charge of the plans of set clement and will not take the dele gates from the different parties into any general council with them. The