The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-14


 capture of Tampico by constitutional- ists after prolonged siege which in
 cluded some fierce fighting in the
 heart of the seaport added new
 chapter today to the exciting history
 of the Mexican situation pointing to
 the possibility of developments that
 might grow out of the rebel victory.
 It was believed the constitutiona1ists
 immediately would move to import
 arms and ammunition through Tam
 pico for use in their southern cam
 paign- If that were permitted, some officials suggested today, Huerta prob ably would protest that the. haltfng of shipments of arms for him at Vera. Cruz was unjust.
 Despite the possibility of such a
 development, the view was taken in some quarters that the capture of
 Tanpico would dissipate embarrassing circumstances created by. the menace to big foreign interests in the terri tory. President Wilson was expected to make representations to rebel lead CTS aimed at resumption of operations in the oil fields.
 Constitutionalfst agents asserted that victory on the east coast would Immediately relieve the international situation. They declare General Con- gales would protect all foreign prop erty, thereby eliminating any necessity for intervention. Carranza's agents claimed Gonzales victory gave the constitutionalists absolute control of Mexico and assured the resumption of commercial relations between interior cities and the markets of the world Unofficial1y, the fear was expressed here that General Zaragoza's federals might attempt extreme reprisals In their reported retreat from Tampico. It was suggested that as they fled ei-11 oil territory they might ignite tanks of petroleum along the river x Further advices from Rear. Admiral Mayo were awaited anxiously. Vera Cruz reports indicate that General Funston fears serious attacks. All fear that the Huerta delegation to the mediation conference at Niagara Falls would not arrive in time was dispelled by the announcement that they were to proceed direct from Havana to Key | West and should reach Florida not later than Friday. This would give dian border town for the beginning of the negotiations
 It became evident today that the extent to which the delegates would | accept courtesies of the American gov | ernment while travelling through the l United States would depend in part on the discretion of the South American
  clined toE accept anything but most 1 perfunctorys attention while passing through General Funston's lines at Vera Cruz and it had been assumed that they would pursue that policy after landing at Key West from I Havana.
 The .soccupation'' of Lofbos Island, which threatened complex develop ] Inents earlier in the week. appeared to
 have simmered down today to the point where it would cause no hitch | in the program for mediation prelirni-
 naries.
 With the capture of Tampico to- | day attention was drawn to Carranza's s next move. Reports from Torreon 1 stated the rebel soldiers were anxious to hurry the campaign against Sal ftillo and San Luis Potosi, gateways to Huerta's capital. In some quarters l the opinion was suggested that Car ranza and Wills had been withholding l aggressive action during the last ten days with the aim of capturing Tam 1 pico and thereby reserving their ann l nunition supplies It is asserted they would have plenty of ammunition for | their hard southern campaign but the l renewal of the embargo along the Rio GEande embarrassed them, it is be | lfeved.
 The navy department today receiv- ] ed letter of thanks from refugees i taken aboard. the Dixie at Tampico- The note expressed gratitude for the ] tended by officers and crew of the I ship to the Americans who fled from I the threatened territory.
 l.