The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-14

demand provided Iuerta would give as
would be maintained by his men. Sec
rotary Bryan has contended that the
maintenance of this light was the sole
purpose of the United States in SEEING
II and that there has been no military
occupation Of the island itself Secre-
tary Bryan has made II clear to the me-
diators that the United states was per-
fectly willing to allow Hucrta's light
house keepers to take possessio Of the
beacon again providing he would give
assurances that II would be sept burn
ing.
There is little likelihood that Iiucrtl
will make any concession of this char
acter. He maintains that tho I.obos
Island light is on Mexican territory and
that the United states has no right to
dictate to him what shall be his course
with reference TO the lighthouses main
tanned 10y the Mexican Government.
There were indications to-day. too
that the United states was prepared to
60 so far as to acknowledge that mis-
take had been made in the seizure of
this light. il the incident really threat
ened to jeopardge the mediation pro-
ceedings.
The Navy Department has MOI yet
made IN it's mind whether az no. !. Nil.
Endorse the action OF Lieutenant-Com-
mander letters o. the United states de-
stroycr Tanning In taking possession OF
the light The Deportm, nj is awaiting
further details before making any dem
mite ruling on the incident II was laId
authoritatively ut the Navy Department
that no order had been issued by tie
Department or Admiral Badger for thS
seizure Of the light and that Lieutenant
Commander Jcffcrs had acted solely Il
his own initiative and under the gem
eral instructions which give naval oni'
GERS the limited discretion in perform
ing their duties.
lisht Necessary, says Badger.
Rear Admiral Badger, in reporting
Yesterday on the details OF the SEIZURE.
commented that the maintenance OF the
light was very necessary TO naNisa-
ton. This. however, is as far as the
Admiral has gone in passing Judgment
on the action of the youthful officer.
The statement that the Department has
uo& yet Endorsed the seizure OF the light
carries with IL the suggestion OF pos
sibility that the responsibility may Ne
placed solely on the shoulders OF the
young naval officer and his act disavowed
by this Government. ON all sides In
Washington any such outcome OF the In
cldent should be deplored There was
considerable criticism to-day even at the
suggestion that the Navy Department had
not as yet formally Endorsed the seizure
Of the place.
Some light was obtained to-day on the
movers OF the American commiss oners
in the coming mediation conferences II
was made clear that they will 60 TO Mag
ara Falls with no authority to negotiate
q definite settlement of the Mexican
crisis They will be empowered merely
TO discuss the proposals of the mediators.
The final accepr~nce Of any proposals
will remain with President Wilson ana
the officials in Washington In other
words. the American representatives Will
in effect be the Presidents mouthpiecc
At the conferences.
The Huerta representatives will hav,
the same status and will not be able 10
agree to any settlement without submit
ting the details first to their chief In Mex.
leo city. IL was learned also to-day thai
the conferences at Niagara Falls Will b,
conducted in a general way under the rules
Of the Hague treaty. TO which both tn,
United States and Mexico have subscribed
A n ENJOYS to submit Plan.
All proposals in the conferences ARE
to be submitted by the three South Amer
lean, medators The mediators already
are at work on these proposals. They
contemplate the widest possible scope o,
the Mexican situation. The three medi
ators will seek not only a settlement o.
the crisis growing out OF the Tamp!cc