Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-05-12

shore between Vera Cruz and Tam
pico and taken possession Of the
lighthouse there.
Washington, D. c., May 11.-Ambas-
sador Da Cana of Brazil, reported at
length today to Ministers Naon of Ar
gentina, and Suarez of Chile, his fell
low ENJOYS in the Mexican mediation,
on his conference yesterday with
President Wilson before the latter's
departure for New York, to participate
in the memorials to Americas Vera
Cruz dead.
No announcement was made by the
)nvoys of the results of this confer
lnce but from an authoritative source
It was stated that among other things
considered, Ambassador Da Cana
took up with the president the protest
from Huerta's minister of foreign af-
fairs, Mr.. Ruiz against the seizure OF
the Mexican light house by American
forces on Lobos Island of Tampico.
While It is understood that the re-
ported seizure Of tho island was re-
ferred to in an extremely guarded man.
ner, there was disposition to regard
this action as not altogether wise, in
view of the armistice even though it
was intended merely ~ q precaution-
ary measure and not ~ an aggressive
movement go 81 KS
Some government ofncials took the
view that the order issued by Huerta
last Saturday to shut down light
houses on tho Pacific coast might be
considered as Q violation of the armis-
tice inasmuch as 1t operates as a
hindrance to shipping and the move
ment Of American warships in Mexican
waters.
Selection of Justice Lamar and
former Solicitor General Lehman, to
represent the United States in the
mediation conferences at Niagara
Falls, Can, had been received with
great satisfaction, It was said by the
South American ENJOYS.
There Is nothing to indicate a
crisis in Mexico said Senator Shivley
of the foreign affairs committee, after
a brief conference with Secretary
Bryan. Senator Stone, chairman of
the foreign relations committee, also
conferred at length with Secretary
Bryan. He said upon leaving the de-
partment that he had discussed "an
entirely personal matter"
Protest 10 Received.
Huerta's protest over the seizure of
the Lobos Island-an important light
house point of the eastern coast of
Mexico-by landing party from
United States torpedo boats was taken
up by the South American ENJOYS who
are seeking to pave the way to peace
in the southern republic.
The reported occupation Of the
island-probably to insure uninterrupt-
ed operation of the light house-first
was revealed in cablegram from
Foreign Minister Ruiz to the media
tors. It stated party had been land
ed from the American torpedo boats,
the lightkeepers had been arrested,
then released after they had turned
over apparatus for operation of the
strategic beacon. The mediators were
asked to make representations to the
Washington government relative to its
truce with Huerta.
Reported occupation of Lobos Island
it was believed in Washington today,
was probably brought after its light
was threatened. Admiral Howard had
reported that Huerta had ordered the
SUSPENSION Of lights on the Pacific
seaboard SO as to impede navigation
by American ships and the same order
was said to have been issued for bea.
cons on the Atlantic coast.
U. 8. Delegates Named.
With other details of their plans for
the Niagara Falls conference complet-
ed by the appointment of the Ameri.
can mission, the South American en-
voys had hoped today, speedily to dis.
pose of the latest incident in their ne.
gotiations. Names of the American
legates-Associate Justice Lamar OF
the supreme court, and former Solici,
tor General Lehmann-were announc.
ed soon after the receipt OF dispatches
from Vera Cruz, telling Of the arrival
there of Huerta's representatives.
Correspondents Released.
Release of the American war cores,
pondents who were arrested at Mexico
City by federal soldiers, relieved a
tense situation. Pressing representa-
tions upon Huerta from several diplo-
matte sources resulted in freedom for
Walter Whiffen of the Associated
Press, Richard Harding Davis of the
New York Tribune, Medill Mccormick
of the London Times, and A. j. Sutton
of the Washington Post. They were
believed to be enroute to safety at
Vera Cruz or Puerto Mexico after their
experiences In Huerta's capital.