Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1914-05-16

all the intervening territory, was be-
sieging Mazatlan. and was threatening
Mexico City from the west.
Mexican Minister Makes Protest.
Washington-Pre Wilson re
ceived Sunday at the White House
Ambassador Da CANA of Brazil. rank
ing member of the South American
mediators. who are trying to compose
the Mexican trouble. \ dispatch from
the City of Mexico stated that Foreign
Minister Ruiz had protested 10 the
mediators that several United States
torpedo boats with a transport ana
tender had landed a party on Lobos
Island. about eight miles off the coast
and had taken the lighthouse, was
believed to have been the purpose of
the ambassadors unusual visit to the
White House Sunday.
The mediators had held an early
conference previous to the ambassa-
doris call at the White House and this
meeting on Sunday indicated develop
ments of more than ordinary impor
lance.
Admiral Howard cabled Sunday &c
the navy department that Huerta had
ordered lights on the Pacific coast ex
tinguished to impede navigation OF
American ships. The same order by
Huerta is reported to have been made
as to lighthouses on the Atlantic side,
so that the reported securing of the
49, ~ IrIa srrhf h.
held to be a precautionary measure tc
keep the lights burning and thus pro
tect all shipping along the east coast
where many British, French, Spanish
and other foreign vessels ply.
AS such precautionary measure
the taking of the lighthouse, it is con-
| tended, would be without significance
as an occupation or territorial acquisi-
| ton of the island and therefore would
not justify any charge of violation of
! the armistice.
Associate Justice Joseph r. Lamar
| of the United States supreme court
and Frederick w. Lehman of st.
Louis, formerly solicitor general, will
represent the United States in the COD
| ference.
Arrangements for transports con-
tinue. The steamer Chippewa of the
| Clyde line at New York Sunday was
substituted for the Dorchester, of the
Merchants and Miners line, which was
| found unsuitable.
At the navy department much an
no h.
German steamer Kronprinzessin Ce-
ellie actually had discharged her arms
and ammunition at Puerto Mexico.
Acting Secretary Roosevelt had called
on Admiral Badger for information on
the reported landing of the arms.
The adjutant generals office OF the
war department has ordered all re-
tired enlisted men, which includes
noncommissioned officers, to report
their availability 'in case of emer-
gency" and many seasoned soldiers
thus may be added to the active list.
Much apprehension is felt in diplo-
matte quarters as to the fate of for
eigners at the City of Mexico in case
a sudden revolt should overthrow
Huerta and permit the entry of the
lawless hordes of Zapata and other un-
disciplined rebel bands. Foreigners in
the capital are said to number 5000.
not counting Americans, most of
whom have left Zapata is regarded
as the most immediate menace. A gov
eminent official who recently arrived
from the City of Mexico describes the
Zapata forces as the most desperate
type of Indian.
Word also has reached some OF the
legation at Mexico City OF threats Ia
rata has sent from time to time to
leading citizens and their wives and
daughters in towns near where he is
operating. One message Is said "a
have notified a prominent citizen that
when the town was captured Zapata
would cut off his ears and eat them
fried" Another from Zapa.a to the
daughter OF merchant is said 20 have
informed her in revolving language tc
prepare to become his wife on his
taking the town.
, A development Sunday that served
to relieve anxiety was news az the re
lease of four newspaper correspond
, ents arrested at the City OF Mexico
Walter Whiffen of the Associated
= Press, Richard Harding Davis OF tn,
New York Tribune, Medill Mcdonnell
of the London Times and A J. Sutton
Of the Washington Post. Word of tn,
release reached the state department
through the Brazilian minister at tn
City of Mexico, and dispatches cam
also to the British, Spanish and Bra
|, lillian ambassadors, each of whom ha,
acted promptly in their behalf