Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-21
JOHN LIND VISITED
BY HUERTA ENVOY
Secretary Bryan Confirms Re-
port of Their Meeting at
Vera Cruz.
PORTILLO WELL REGARDED
BY U. S. ADMINISTRATION
Discussed as Possible Civil Head of
Government if Huerta
Takes the Field.

Secretary Bryan of the State Depart
ment announced today that there had
been a conference at Vera Cruz between
John Lind, personal representative OF
President Wilson, and Senior Portiiio.
minister of foreign affairs OF Mexico
There had been reports OF such a con
ference previously. but no definite IN
formation until the confirmation by Sec
Rotary Bryan.
Great Significance WAS attached In OF
flcial circles here today to the fact that
Mr. Lind and Senior Portillo had man.
thus opening up again the negotiations
which were discontinued some time ago.
Secretary Bryan said no Information had
reached him OF the nature of the con-
ference.
There have been repeated reports,
partially confirmed In official circles,
that Gen. Huerta plans to turn the
presidency of Mexico over to Senor
constitutionalists. President Wilson
has been informed concerning Senior
Portillo. and made it plain recently
that he thought highly of his charac-
ter. Senior Rortillo had nothing to DO
with the overthrow of Madero.
Fear Collapse of Revolt.
agrarian and other reforms in Mexico,
who are against the Huerta regime. are
reproaching the actual heads Of the
revolution for laying SO much stress on
the personality of Huerta- They say
that more attention should be paid to
policies and less to personalities. They
fear that should Huerta get out the
bottom would fall out of the revolu-
ton.
Secretary Bryan said today that he had
no information about the reported plan
of Charge OShaughnessy to resign his
post. because of illness. A br1ei cable.
gram was received at the department
from Mr.. OShaughnessy confirming the
fact that he is suffering from an attack
of sciatica and had. therefore, gone 10
Vera Cruz for his health.
No direct word was received at the
Mexican embassy or the constitotionanst
headquarters here regarding the nsntns
at Torreon. but dispatches TO the consu-
tutionalists from the border were TO the
effect that the big battle Is about TO De
gin and that their forces are confident OF
capturing the city.
Particular attention was paid in these
dispatches to Gen. Felipe Angeles. Car
ranza's secretary OF war, who is SECOND
| in command to Villa in the army attack
ing Torreon. It was said that Villa Is
relying completely on Gen. Angeles to
plan the military strategy OF the a1'a1A'
Close Watch on Border.
Texans are not to be permitted to
make a raid into Mexico over the border
either to recapture horses taken from
the American side or to punish the Stay
ers of Vergara of for any purpose II
the army patrol can prevent it. Gen.
Bliss has been advised by the Secretary
of War to watch out for the raiders
and prevent any movement across the
border.
Gen. Bliss probably will reinforce the
patrol at and around Laredo, where the
activities In the Vergara incident were
conferred and where the proposed raid
is said to have been planned. There Is
every purpose to prevent any action to
complicate further the international Sit
uation. - s
Admiral Fletcher, telegraphing from
Vera Cruz, says that there are no
Developments and no news in that vicin-
ity. From Mazatlan, on the west coast,
Admiral Howard reports all quiet, in a
radigram received at the Navy Depart
ment.