The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-05
U. s. READY TO
KEEP TAMPICO
AN OPEN PORT
Continued from First Page

that II was a mistake But this is not
likely to be very convincing with the
mediators, who are said to have had as
surances that all such shipments would
be held UP. The fact that this cargo OF
arms and ammunition Is absolutely essen
tal to Villa for his march on Mexico city
Is likely to add to the entertainments
OF the situation.
All evidences in Washington to-day In
dicated that the Administration Is pre-
pared to take steps to see that the Ward
liner Antila Is not held up at Tampico
by Huerta's gunboats. but that she must
be permitted to land her arms at the Con-
stitutionalist port
The announcement by Gen. Banquet,
Huerta's Secretary of War. that Tam
pico would be bottled up has not altered
the order sent by this Government "a week
or more ago to Admiral Badger to
warn the Mexican commanders that Tam
pico must be kept open
AS soon as the report OF the proposed
blockade by Huerta was received In
Washington instructions went from the
Navy Department to Admiral Badger to
keep close watch on the Mexican gun
boats. This was at o'clock this morn
| ing and a message was received from
| Admiral Badger at o'clock this after
| noon to the effect that the gunboats had
not yet moved.
Keep watch on Gunbonts.
The gunboats Zaragoza and Bravo are
at Puerto Mexico and are under the sur.
velllance of the Sacramento and the Ia.
| coma. Huerta's only other war vessel on
the eastern coast IL the armed tug lam.
pico. which Is now In the River Alvarada
thirty miles south OF Vera Cruz The tug
| Is watched by the paducah
The Antllla is not due at Tampico be.
fore Tuesday next, 20 that there will b,
| ample time Tor the movement of the
| Huerta war vessels TO the mouth OF tn,
Panuco River II he insists upon carrying
out his threat OF a blockade.
just what is the purpose of the United
states Government in taking SO forcefu
| a stand on Tampico has not been dis.
closed yet. England and Holland hay,
made representations to the United State.
that this port must be kept open for theii
| oil business, bat the blockade which
Huerta proposes apparently refers merel,
to the holding up OF an important ship
ment of arms
Diplomats In Washington contend that
the United states will not be able to in
terfere with such a blockade by Huerta
| without committing an act OF war. Fur
thermore thev assert that II would be az
open violation OF the armistce witt
Huerta and particularly of the assursnc,
contained in that understa nding tina
Huerta's right TO defend himself agains
the Constituencies was recognized.
At the same time. the action OF tn
United States In using force TO keep Tam
pco open will be regarded by the me
ditors as an act OF bad faith ON the par
OF this Government
United states I'm Quandary.
The United States finds itself in
quandary. Without arms and ammunl
ton villa would be unable to push hi
campaign to Mexico city. The elimination
OF this campaign is devoutly desired b,
the United States, but this Government
now finds itself In the awkward situation
OF desiring one thing and trying to aoid
by It's agreements IN another direction.
Blame for the present embarrassment
Is laid at Secretary Bryan's door Mr.
Bryan contends that an order agains
shipments OF arms from ports OF tn
United States to Mexico Is In effect. ON
cials OF other departments who have tn
duty OF enforcing such an order dlffe
with him.
Some time ago the mediators proteste,