Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-04
j. S. TO Be READY
FOR HOSTILE MOVE
This Government Not to Be
Caught Mapping at Vera Cruz
Pending Mediation.
UNDERSTOOD FUNSTON
SEEKS REINFORCEMENTS
Reports to Secretary Garrison That
About 10000 Federals
Menace the City.

While the mediation conferences We're
In progress Secretary of War Garrison
discussed the situation at Vera Cruz with
department heads. The Secretary said
that no late advices had been received
from Gen Funston. 1t was reported,
however that plans were in readiness for
immediate action should there arise any
hostile move on the part of the Huerta
forces IN the vicinity of Vera Cruz.
Although officials here going on
the assumption that Huertas soldiers
will respect the arnistice pending media
ton developments. assurances are given
that this government would not be
caught mapping should there be any
break. authorized or unauthorized, on the
part Of the Huerta troops.
Federals May Attack Water Works.
Brig. Gen. Funston has notified the
War Department that big army Of
Mexican federals is being massed, pre-
sumably for an attack on the Vera
Cruz water works. 1t is understood
he appealed TO the department for ad-
'ditional troops. but Secretary Garrison
has refused to confirm this report.
These dispatches from Gen. Funston
were the subject of long conference
in the War Department last night be-
tween Secretary Garrison. Maj. Gen.
Wotherspoon. chief Of staff Of the
army: Mai. Gen Aleshire. chief of the
supply departments: Brig. Gen. Crow
der Judge advocate general: Brig. Gen.
Scott, assistant chief Of the general
staff. and Col Hodges. secretary of the
general staff Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt of the Navy was in attend
ance part of the time.
Hostile Federals Near Vera Cruz.
1t was said Gen Funston has asked
for instructions in view of the hostile
attitude of the Mexican army near the
city.
1t was reported around the department
that Gen. Funston had heard that the
Mexican forces around Vera Cruz We're
about to be reinforced.
Earlier in the day the general had re-
ported that the American outposts at
Vera Cruz were being watched by Next
cans, and there were over 10000 Mexican
troops encamped in the vicinity. These
dispatches were summed up by Secretary
Garrison in the following statement:
Secretary Garrison's Statement.
Il am in receipt today of a dispatch
from Gen. Funston regarding the Incl
dent at the pumping plant. He says that
the officer in command of the Mexican
troop was Maj. Zapota Of the engineer
corps OF the Mexican army.
He refers to the fact that very little de-
pendable news about the conditions in
the interior is coming in. because no
more refugees are now coming into Vera
Cruz 1t is reported to him that Gen
Mas has about 1000 men at Soledad.
and there are an unknown number, not
large, watching our lines. He under
stands that the Mexicans have 5000 troops
at Jalapa and about 1900 at Palma
where they are throwing up defenses. He
says that there many wild rumors
afioat which are not worthy of credence
Some provision sellers came into the city
today from the north. The city is en-
tireIy quiet. a Mexican officer who was
in Vera Cruz in civilian clothes was di-
rected to leave"