The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-05-20
TAKES new PHASES
TWISTS IN MEXICAN SITUATION
REBELS TAKE TAMPlCO
now Control SEAPORT


Capture of City Gives CONSTITUTIONAL
lists Better Standing Among the
Nations of the World-United
States Warships Move up River
Where Federa1s Blockade Port
Tampice's fall, enlarging the Con-
stitutionalists' sphere Of control and
giving them a seaport through which
munitions of war may be directly i'm
ported, injected into the Mexican SIT
uatioh Thursday new phases attract
ed the attention Of official Washing
ton. The last conference OF the
South American mediators #ss held
and later it was announced that the
ENJOYS would depart for Niagara
Falls by way of -1cT York.
Interest centred on Tsnpico and
the vigorous prosecution of the Con-
stitut:onalists campaign southwark.
The American government already
has begun representations to the Con-
stitutionalists to secure pr0tsctlon
for American and other foreign oper-
atires returning to the oil wells;
American warships have gone up the
Panuco river to tHair old stations be-
fore the town. At the moeth Of the
river are the federal gunboats with s
part Of the federal garrison. The
captains of the ship have asked for
an interview with Rear Admiral
Mayo, which gas granted, but Is
purpose has not been divalged.
Discussion centred chiefly on the
question of shipping arms and am
munition through Tampico as the
Constitutionalists are short and wish
to avail themselves of the first oppor:-
tunity to .replenish their stock. Arms
we're prevented from reaching the
Constitutionalists through the en-
barge which was replaced by Presi-
dent wilson some time ago.
At Manzanilio ana other west coast
ports no efforts have been made to
prevent arms reaching Huerta and
the belief was general that the Con-
stitionalists would have no dlthculty
in importing munitions through Tam
pico in any quantity.
The presence Of the Huerta gun
boats in Tampico harb0r after eTac-
uation by the federals has led to the
conjecture that they will be used IN
blockading the port. 1t Is believed
that it was with the purpose OF learn
ing whether Admiral Mayo would re-
stnct such q blockade that the COM
manders of the federal gunboats ask
ed for a conference. Naval experts
agree that so long as the federal COM
mansers are able to make this BLOCK
ade really effective, it must be re-
spected by foreign shipping. The
recognition of an effective blockade
bv a. belligerent does not, it is said'
involve political recognition OF ether
party to the strife.
The state department regards the
Lobos island lighthouse incident as
closed. Secretary Bryan acquitted OF
any blame Lieut.. Commanders JEFF
fers of the destroyer Tanning, VINO
gave the light keeper a certincate
that he had taken possession OF the
light by force.
It was a Mexican and not a Nor
weeian vessel from which shots were
fired against Americans at Vera Cruz,
for which incident five South Amerl-
cans we're arrested, according to a
report from Gen. Funston to Secre-
tarv Garrison. The case under con-
sideration is interesting the state de-
partment exceedingly.
The whereabouts of John R. Silli-
man, the missing American vice con-
sui at Saltillo, and Samuel Parks, the
American orderly reported executed
by federals near Vera Cruz, has also
been taken up.
The secretary of state IS deToting
much interest to the proposed inpor-
tation OF arms through Tampico by
the onstitutionalists. Sir Cecil
sDring-Rice, the British ambassador
and Mr.. Van Rappard, the Dutch min
ister, after a long conference at the
state department expressed sat;sfac-
ton over the outcome OF the meeting
It is understood that satisfactory as
srrances had been received as to the
safety OF workmen and oil tanks at
Tampico, removing for the present
danger of foreign complications on
this score.
Although Admiral Mayo has re-
turned with his feet to the Panuco
river it was made plain that he was
not to land any marines or to assert
onv control whatever over Tanplco'
II was said ut the department tnat he
had rot asked for or received any IN
structions regarding the admission
of arms into the port.
Another phase OF the SITUATION
which attracted much attention was
the embarrassment which their sue
cess brings to the Constitutfonahsts
because of demands made by forelsn'
ers to the rebels in their capacity OF
a governing body. The Spanish am
bassador has a bill to present lol
so0.00O.000 for property alleged &c
have been contiscated By the Constl,
tutionalists. Enforced loans furnish
cause for other demands.
The case CT William S. Benton the
rritigh subject killed at Juarez' also
looms tArcateninsly on the Constltu'
tic-al horizon, Great Britain haFins
announced that it will exact adequate
; renara,;on for this even as soon a:
responsibility can be fixed upon au
Ix.