The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-01
Many Pleased with American
Occupation Of Vera Crux.
Freedom and Prosperity Have
Been Greatly Increased.
ANXIOUS ABOUT THE FUTURE
Would Like to Know the Policy
Of Uncle Sam.
Strong Sentiment i'm Favor OF
Making 1t Permanent.

410A1uf5 ~ L O1 IW0 14CMUe
Vera Cruz. May with the occu-
patton of Vera Cruz by American SOL
diers. under Brigadier General Fun
ston. an accomplished fact, and the
return to their vessels in the harbor,
Of the sailors and marines who took
the port from the Mexicans. questions
of the future are today beginning to
engage the attention Of American refu-
future policy of the Washington ad
ministration is being debated with
much interest.
Americans and Mexicans alike lack
anything in the nature Of definite
statement on this subject and they are
all trying to interpret. from the trend
of events since the seizure. whether
the American occupation is to be per-
manent or not.
If once convinced the American flag
is to float over this city until tran
guilty is restored throughout the re-
public. it is virtually certain that the
Mexicans of Vera Cruz will give their
heartiest support to the American civil
government. Today they admit frank
ly that they are enjoying greater free
dom from apprehension. more person
al liberty and a larger measure of
prosperity, owing to the influx of
American money, than they have
known in many years. Many even as
sert that they would cheerfully sub
scribe to any policy of the United
States which would insure them a con-
tinuance of the present conditions and
the extension Of these conditions to
the rest of the republic.
Court Permanent Occupation.
Some careful observers among the
Mexicans take a pessimfstic view and
do not believe that anything short Of
complete American occupation Of Mex
leo would hri- g about these desired re-
suits. They point out that many fac-
tions are striving for power in various
sections of the republic. The entire
state of Morelos is absolutely controll-
ed by the followers of Zapata while the
state of Guerrero is under the 5urisdic-
ton Of the Figueroa brothers; further
more northern MEXICO, much Of the
western coast and isolated points else
where. such as Tampico. are controlled
rama and villa.
In the capital, provisional President
Huerta is in the saddle. but strong FAC
tions favoring Carranza, Felix DiaZ or
some other aspirant to the presidency
are intriguing against Huerta and one
another. Zapata and the Ffgueroa
brothers have been running things in
the country they control without re-
gard to any claims of a central power.
Such states are virtually Independent
principaiities within the borders of the
distracted republic.
This statement of general conditions
is made by Mexicans to support the
tion is the only thing that. will bring
lasting peace.
Doubtful Of Mediation.
There is also an element Of Mex
leans and American refugees now in
Vera Cruz that expresses doubt that
the mediation by Argentina, Brazil
and Chile or similar negotiations will
bring about a stable coalition Of the
warning factions in the republic or re-
suit in the re-establishment Of order.
They are OF the opinion that personal
jealousy would prevent the selection
of any leader to represent them all.
and they unhesitatingly declare that,
patriotism actuates. a. great majority
of the Mexican factions. 1t is appar-
ent that local opinion Of the future
is most conflicting.
Another idea presented today by the
thoughtful Mexicans is that the only
solution of the problem lies in a par
tial occupation of Mexico by the
United States and the establishment
under American protection of a gov
ernment similar to the one formed In
Nicaragua, which later would be sue
ceeded by duly elected Mexican off,
cials, the United States supervising
the elections and vouching for their
fairness. The idea is receiving con-
siderable endorsement from a group
of Mexican officials who have re-
mained in the city.
Many Americans Left Behind.
Washington, May Consul Canada
at Vera Cruz reported today to the
state department that there still are
1 500 Americans in Mexico City, un-
able to get out because of interrupted
railroad facilities. These are for the
most part new arrivals in the Mexican
capital from the surrounding country.
They arrived just after the departure
of the last train for Vera Cruz. Consul
Canada has asked the Brazilian min
lister and Admiral Cradock, the Brit
ish commander, to exert their efforts
to restore railroad communication
with the capital
Doing Missionary Work.
The American authorities, civil, ma
val and army. are making every effort
to disseminate throughout the Yepuh-
lie truthful pictures of the benevolent
rule already established In Vera Cruz
There Ii reason to believe also that
Washington ID quietly working to this
same end through military and civil
agents sent here to talk things over
with representative Mexicans. These
knowledge Of the Spanish language
and their familiarity with Mexico and
the MexicanS, and they are said to
be making every effort to mako plain
the disinterested motives of the Wash-
fnKton administration ~ well A. its
firm resolve that order be restored and
a stable government erected.
Close study OF the local aituat1om