The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-16

san nsdiators to begin Monday on
Canadian soil. the mediators and off,
sials Of the state department here to-
day were occupied with several Sc
rious phases OF the Mexican situation
demanding immediate attention.
Secretary Bryan called at the Ar
ssntine legation late In the day and
spent two hours in conference with
the South American envoys.
Mr.. Bryan inslsted that the re-
lsass Of Silliman must be brought
about at once. When asked about
the matter later. he would not say
what would happen II the vice consul
we're kept In prison. but he was
0rAys,y emphatic in announcing the
governments determination to have
him freed.
First oficinl news Of the landing Of
American sailors on Lobos Island
rsaehsd the Navy Department late to-
night In . cablegram from Rear Ad-
miral Mayo. stating that the Mexican
keepers deserted the great lighthouse
on the island and that the destroy
o. tender Dixie was maintaining 1t
Tor the bensfit Of navigation"
Admiral Mayo's report responded
20 . request Of the Navy Department
for immediate information concerning
the incident complained Of by the Hu-
srta government to the mediators. 1t
said:
"Lobos Island has not been occu-
pied. The Dixie and some destroyers
anchored there and other vessels have
coalsd from . collier. The keepers
Of Lobos Island lighthouse deserted
Il and the Dixie II maintaining it for
the beneit Of navigation. understand
that the destroyers have had occa-
sional landing parties ashore"
The report was sent at once to Sec
rstary Bryan.
II was said that foreigners on
board warships of Tampico wanted
refuge and not removal.
While tho of'icial representatives OF
Gen. Huerta were taking leave of
their revolution-torn country at Vera
Crus and an American general with
armed forces Of the United States
waited at one OF the gateways to
nsxico City. the United States gov
srnment oficially announced It's rep
roeentatives In mediation negotia-
tions before the South American
triumvirate at Niagara Falls. Ont,
nsxt Monday.
Justice Joseph Rucker Lamar. of
the United States Supreme Court. and
Frederick w. Lehman. former solic-
itor general. were chosen by Presi-
dent Wilson az tho American repre-
ssntatives. From Huerta arc hasten
Ing forward Augustine Rodriguez.
umilio Rabasa and Luis Elguerro.
Ambassador Da Cana. Of Brazil;
Minister Moan. Of Argentina. and
Minister suarez. Of Chile. tho me-
Aiators. tonight expressed satisfac-
;tion In the selection Of the advisers
fer both governments. and little fur
'thsr 10 expected In the preliminary
peace negotiations until all have met
In Canada
's'0en. Carranza and the Mexican
rebels who seek Huerta's overthrow
will not be represented In the con-
ference. according to later advices.
They will continue to make war on
Husrta while the truce In the inter-
national dispu alton proceeds.
Disturbing elements continued to
arouse interest throughout the day.
Gen. Funston. at Vera Cruz. was ap-
pealod to by the Brazilian minister
at Mexico City to release some South
Americans. including three Brazilians.
who had been arrested and are await
ing trial for "sniping" American SOL
diers from the refuge Of tramp
steamer In Vera Cruz harbor. An ap-
peal was made to Secretary Bryan by
the mediating ENJOYS on behalf Of
Gen. Huerta. because Of reports that
American forces had seized u Mexican
lighthouse on Lobos Island. off Tam
pico. an act which Huerta's agents
maintained was aggressive and In vio-
lation OF the army laws.
Late I'm the day Secretary Bryan
hastened to the Argentine legation.
whore he consulted for half an hour
with tho mediators. None would dis
cuss the conference. but II was learn
ed that dis bling reports from
Mexico City. together with disputed
points that had arisen over the armis-
tics. had been discussed.
State department officials were In
dIsnant when 1t became known that
Vice Consul silliman and his clerk,
Joseph A. Marchani, rs we'll as sey-