Evening star., 1914-05-02

strong hand, and that RuiZ was more
amenable to Huerta'S direction than
Portillo had been
1t was pointed out that according to
the Mexican constitution the minister OF
foreign affairs succeeds to the presidency
in case of the president retirement wnef1
there is no vice president as is the case
now in Mexico. Hence Portillo was next
in line for the presidency, and Ruiz Is
now in that position.
Senor Ruiz has been in the Mexican
government service in various capacities
for many years. but has never affiliated
himself with any particular fact!on. dis
position has been analogous TO that OF
an assistant secretary in our State De-
partment-
Carranza Opposes Neutral Zone.
Gen. Carranza telegraphed Secretary
Bryan from chihuahua last night that
the constitutionalists would not enter
into any formal agreement for the es-
tablishment of a neutral zone around the
oil wells at Tampico.
The formal announcement of Car
ranza's refusal as given out by the state
Department read:
''Carranza has notified the state De
,,artment that he is not willing to make
an agreement in regard to the neutral
tzation of the oil we'll zone, but so far
as his forces are concerned. the oper-
ators may return TO the oil wells without
heing molested.
This is "A polite way of SAYING that Car
tauza refuses to make any agreement
with Huerta but will do his best 10 pre-
vent damage to the oil properties
Carranza's attitude in the Tampico
situation was not unexpected treation
would handicap the rebels investing
operations. Federals control the river
along which the oil tanks are built.
while rebels occupy the oil field on
Tampicos outskirts. That situation. IT
IS believed, practically obNiated re-
Strictfng the field of fighting opera
lions However. the rebel chief notified
The State Department and the British
ambassador that his men had been
warned to employ every precaution
agsjnst destruction of the property
largely owned by American and Eng
!iSh interests.
Secretaries Bryan and Daniels were
active during the day IN their endeavors
to neutralize the oil wells at Tampico.
II developed that the local authorities
al the town would take no action until
advised by their superfors. SO the
British embassy continued it's efforts to
secure an understanding with the Huerta
government, while the United states
communicated with Gen. Carranza. The
reopening of the American consulate at
Tampico is expected to assist in keep
ing the wells from being destroyed.
Gen. Zaragoza. the federal commander
there. has promised American Consul
Miller protection.
Secretary Daniels said he had been
informed that most of the wells had
been capped with cement, and that or
dinary gun fire would not ignite them.
Most of the wells are far in the inte-
rior. too. out of range of the fighting in
the city.
Proposed Federal-Rebel Truce.
The envoys again were in communi-
cation with Carranza over their pro-
posal for suspension of hostilities be-
tween Huerta and the rebels pending
negotiations. Until he makes a def
mite reply the mediators will be un-
able to determine whether their ef-
forts for the present must be con-
fined to issues between Huerta and the
United States government or whether
they may be broadened to include the
entire Mexican situation.
While the gravity and the hopeful
ness of the situation varied from hour
to hour. the envoys of Argentina, Bra
zil and Chile kept steadily at their
work. holding two long sessions at the
Argentine legation yesterday.
As explaining the progress they were
making, one of the mediators likened
their work to a hard climb up a pre-
cipitous mountain. one dangerous cliff
d
height was reached. Fortunately, he
added. the dangers of each advance
thus far had been met and overcome
and the advance was steadily forward.
What Mediation Has Accomplished.
Summing up what the mediators had
done UP to this time, well posted
authority said it represented more
actually accomplished in a given time
than had ever occurred in the history
of intermediation. He specified. be-
ginning April 26. and continuing six
days:
First. acceptance Of good offices by the
United States; second. acceptance by
fourth. suspension Of hostilities by the
United States fifth, suspension of hos
tilities by Huerta-
These five accomplishments. within six
days, were declared to be without prece-
dent in international bodies. which had
previously exercised good offices. A
sixth development. it expected,
would further emphasize what was being
done.
The conference of the Spanish ambas-
deliver any communication from Huerta,
but to go over the general situation. As
showing the directness of the mediators
they are putting aside all Diplomatic cir
Huerta and Carranza. and receiving di-
rect replies.
Huerta's Acceptance.
The text Of the Huerta reply through
his foreign minister. accepting good Of
fees, which has heretofore been given
only In outline, was as follows:
Mexico City. April 27-Very urgent.
With reference to yesterdays telegram
tai, hos 1<.K. fInt
iiation is accepted in principle. and
that we are very much obliged for his
good Offices as well as to the repre-
sentatives of the \. b. C.. which are
a proof of the solidarity of the peoples
OF Spanish origin.
The Huerta reply to the armtstice
proposal was also a direct cable to
the mediators in response to their
csbled inquiry.
Attitude of the Administration.
The entire administration. from the
highest down, IS scrupulously AVOIDING
sny move that might be construed as
designed to influence the mediators.
The President has Cancelled his semi
weekly conference with the press for
the time being on this account.
IL is realized that the enyoys of
Brazil, Argentina and chile have a
dual capacity in their present inter
mediation. They make up virtually an
international court. and. as such are
entirely independent. the United States
being party to the proceedings Each
hnyn iss "A -.