The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-05-16
FUNSTON NEEDSAID
Cipher Message From Vera
Cruz Causes War De-
partment Concern.
HUERTA REGIME TOTTERlNG.
Collapse of Present Government at
Mexico City Expected at Any
Moment Now.

Washington, D. C--Upo7 receiving
a long cipher cablegram from General
Funston at Vera Cruz. Secretary Gar
rison called into conference at the
war department Major General Woth-
erspoon, chief Of staf, and the entire
general staff Of the army,
The conference lasted until nearly
midnight, and when Secretary Gar
rison finally left his Office, he said
there would be no announcement at
this time
He and the army officers wore grave
faces. and it was no secret that news
OF importance had been received.
Fear Uprising in City of Mexico.
Later Secretary Garrison said Gen
eTal Funston had transmitted some
information which refugees had
brought from the City of Mexico as
TO conditions in the Mexican capital.
Tie secretary declined TO comment
on them. He said. however, that no
aggressive movement Of any kind BY
the American forces was ordered
II was understood that the refugees
from the City of Mexico had informed
General Funston Of the critical aspect
Of affairs in the Huerta regime; that
a collapse might be expected momen-
tarily, and that conditions Of anarchy
might ensue.
The purpose of General Funston in
making known these reports to the
war department was believed to be
to advise the Washington administTa-
ton OF the possibilities that might
develop from a fall Of Huerta in or
der that If the American army is com
PEELED to rescue foreigners or restore
order it may be fully equipped for
such an expedition
Funston Needs More Troops.
Though not officially stated, it is
known that the high officials OF the
war department are eager to place
at Vera Cruz, or on transport within
striking distance, a large enough
force, perhaps $4,000 or 10000 men,
to make an expedition TO the City OF
Mexico if it becomes necessary.
Officials OF the war department are
known to believe that Il an advance
on the City Of Mexico is ordered it
viii be necessary to guard every mile
Of the railroad as the army moves
forward, and that large force would
show the natives the futility of re-
sistance, whereas division Of 1900
men might be subject to several at
tacks along the route, with possibly
big losses
Rebels Making Gains.
Washington. d. C.-AIore evidence
that the cOnstitutionalists in Mexico
are gaining rapidly came in the news
dispatches.
The advance OF the rebels toward
San Luis Potosi, a complete victory
at Saltillo and announcement that a
final assault soon would be made at
Tampico led TO the belief that Villa
and his followers are nearly ready
for a dash to the Mexican capital
In the City of Mexico it was report
ed many Mexicans were ready to fee,
fearing an early attack of the rebels.
The date set for the opening OF the
conferences with the mediators at Nj
agara Falls is regarded as extremely
significant by the constitutionalists.
They point out that with Villa, Man
cloTia, Herrera and Benavides with q
combined force estimated at $4,000
men attacking SaltiIIo and San Luis
Potosi, and with Luis Caballero press
ing the siege of Tampico, the medi-
ators may find at their first conference
a situation in northern and central
Mexico totally different from the pres
ent situation
Into City of Mexico Soon.
The delay in opening the confer
ences. the constitutionalists feel,
presents an opportunity they say they
are determined not to overlook.
Rafael Zubaran, minister Of the in
terror in the constitutionalist cabinet,
after his conference by telegraph with
General Carranza in the city Of Chi
huahua on the military situation in
Mexico, estimated that within one
month their forces viii have reached
the City Of Mexico.
ENJOYS to Meet In Canada.
Washington, D. C.-The three South
American ENJOYS who have under
taken by diplomacy to settle Mex
Ico's civil strife, as well as her inter
national. difficulties. announced that
the first formal conferences with
representatives OF the different par
ties interested In the mediation viii
be held at Niagara Falls, Canada, on
May Is. Secretary Of State Bryan
made the announcement for the three
diplomats in brief statement