The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-26
REBELS GATHER Big
ARMY AT VERA CRUZ
One Force North Of City and
Another Is Marching
From Tuxpan.
CAN COPE WITH FEDERALS
Part of Plan to Surround ITuerta
-Iapata Guards Puerto
Mexico Line.

WAsTIiNGToN. May 25-Conslderable
anxiety IL being manifested here ON ac-
count OF the movements of the consti-
tutlonaltst troops in the state OF Vera
CRUZ. Admiral Badger cabled the Navy
Department to-day that knowledge of the
landing of the large rebel force north of
Vera cruz has reached there and IL is
believed that they will operate against
the Federals driven out of the city by
the United States forces.
In addition to this body II Is understood
that a larger force Of Constituencies
Is marching south from Tuxpan. These
TWO units with cavalry would form a
formidable army which might hope to
cope successfully with the Federal forces
In that vicinity
ConstitutiUnalst agents here, are of the
opinion that the movement of these forces
is a part of the general movement toward
Mexico city and that the frst objective
point will be San Luis potOsi,
However, II IL known also TO he
part of this plan to seize much as
possible of the territory along the gulf
coast. particularly the principal ports. The
presence of the Federals troops near Vera
Cruz is regarded by the Constitutionalists
as menace to the plans of trapping
Hucrta and preventing his escape.
II the rebel forces should defeat the
Fedoras around Vera CRUZ. II Is said that
the United States forces may be asked TO
leave Vera Cruz ard turn the city over
to the victorious rebels Huertas an
nouncemont that the railroad connecting
the Mexican capital with Vera cruz will
be repaired In taken as an indication that
he VIII use every means at his command
TO keep this line of escape open. not de-
pending entirely on the longer ana more
dangerous route to Puerto Mexico.
Weight was given these reports by the
knowledge that Zapata Is threatening the
railway communications with Puerto Mex
leo. This rebel leader II now at Cuer-
navaca, which Is within striking distance
of Mexico city.
Iapata has no artillery and an in
sufficient force to attack the city but is
In position in the mountains from which
II is practically impossible to dislodge
him His forces are sufficiently large TO
block the railroad to Puerto Mexico with
ease. Under present conditions the trip
from Mexico city requires nearly forty
eight hours, giving Zapata time to move
his forces In case OF necessity.
Official confirmation of the report that
Mexican outposts near Vera Cruz had
fred on United States aeroplane was
| received at the Navy Department to-day
from Rear Admiral Badger, The aim OF
the MeXicans was poor and the machine
was not touched.
The attitude of the Administra tior
| toward this new alfront from the Federal
/ FORCES IN Mexico is causing nucn sp"cula-
/ ton here. by some officials IL was ac-
/ knowledged that the flight OF the navy
aeroplane beyond the lines might be re-
garded as a violation OF the armistice
The fact that no return shots were
fred by the American avIators is regarded
/ here as evidence that Gen Funston has
been ordered to do everything possible tC
avoid the semblance OF trouble with the
troops now encamped outside OF Vera
/ Cruz.
These orders have gone TO the army
forces in Mexico 1t is understood. since
the inauguration OF the mediation pro.
ceedings at Niagara Falls.