The Washington times., 1914-05-08
Demands for Release of Sill
man Made Through Three
Friendly Nations.
NO WORD SINCE ARREST BY
FEDERAlS -FOUR DAYS AGO
Excuse That Wires Are Down
to SaItiIIo Not Accepted BY
This Government.

''Find John R. Silliman, American vice
consul at Saltillo.'' was the peremptory
order given Huerta today by three
powerful governments. What amounted
20 an untimatum was given to the die
Iator on behalf of the United States
through the German, French and Bra
lillian embassies at Mexico City to To-
cate the vice consul. who was reported
10 have been thrown in jail by Mexi-
can federals at San Luis Potosi.
Although Silliman's arrest was re-
ported four days ago, not one word, not
a single clue of any kind from any
source, has been given to throw any
light On his whereabouts. The younger
General Mas is said to be responsible
for his detention. This was stated en-
phatically today at the State Depart
ment.
Minister CORDOBA of Brazil, who is in
charge of the American embassy at
Mexico City, reported to the State De-
partment today that communication
with Saltillo is still interrupted, and
there is no news of the vice consuls
whereabouts or his fate.
Threat Goes With Demand.
Minister CORDOBA says that IIuerta is
Inal.ing inquiries.
Not satisfied with this state of affairs,
Inc State Department is pressing its in
QuIries and demands, ana has served
new notice OF vigorous steps that Will
Hope is expressed at the department
today that the constitutionalIsts will
take the city OF Saltillo so that the
release or information about Silliman
can be obtained. The vice consurs
position is believed to be similar to
that of Consul Hanna at Monterey.
Who was held and who obtained his
release only when the constitutional
lists took that city.
Minister CORDOBA. the French and
the German representatives in Mexico
City were again asked today to make
the most vigorous representations to
the Huerta government. Consul Ca
nada and other American representa-
tIves in the consular service were in
structed today TO ferret out any infor-
nation possible that might bear upon
the Silliman case.
Situation Is Acute.
The situation with respect to Woe
Consul Silliman has reached an acute
state. and Government officials are out
ragged at this new indignity As yet,
hCwever, the STATE Department has no
Cffcial information that Huerta is not
IN earnest in seeking information or
the release of the American vice consul.
a diplomat who has been cooperating
with the State Department in its ef
forts tn obtain the release of Silliman.
said today that he knew not what to
10. as il seemed TO be n case of re-
fusal or failure to obey instructions on
the part Of Huerta's lieutenants.
The State Department has again been
informed that because of the impend-
ing attack upon Saltillo communication
between that city and Mexico CITY has
h"en cut of. and lefnite Information
cannot be received because Of this con-
clifton. Officials hera are convinced
hcWeVer, that Fucrta must have some
means OF communication with his forces
- Saltilo, and that he is not depend
tnt upon the commercial teleSI aph lines.
May Force Invasion.
Just what steps will be taken to re-
cover the person of Silliman should the
present demands fail. will not be dis
Cussed by officials OF the State Depart-
ment or the Administration. Should
this country be pushed to the last re-
sort, however, il would mean an ad- |
Yance Of the American forces. at least
far as SaltiIlo.
The Administration faces a difficult
position, however, because of the friend
Hness toward the cOnstitutionulists. and
the fact that active steps TO recover
he person of he consul might interfere
with or interrupt the constituencies
Ce mpaign against Huerta.