The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-15
IU. s. Policy as to Ammuni- tion Shipments to Mexico
 Is Not Clear
lHUERTA GUNBOATS MAY BLOCKADE PORT
Commanders to Confer With Mayo on Subject-Bryan Seeking Protec- tion for Foreign Property
 in Tampico

Washington, May 14.-A delayed wireless dispatch from Rear Admiral Mayo at Tampico late tonight an- nounced that the Mexican federal gum boats Brazo and Zaragosa, one of them towing the tug Tampico, had left the They were followed by the American cruiser Tacoma and the destroyers Warrington and Henley.
 Washington, May i4.--Tampico's fall, enIarging the constitutionaIist sphere of control and giving them a seaport through which munitions of war may he directly imported. injected into the Mexican situation today new phases to occupy The attention of off cial Washington. The last conference of the South American medIfatorp was held and later one of the envoys, Am hassador Dsgama, departed for Mag department from the Huerta delegates
 was that they would reach key West tonight.
 Interest today centered on Tampico and the vigorous prosecution Of the consitutionalist campaign southward The American government already has begun representations to the constitu- tionalists to secure protection for American and other foreign operatives returning to the oil wells. American warships have gone up the Panuco river to their old stations before the town At the mouth of the river are the federal gunboats With part of the federal garrison. The captains of the ships have asked for an interview with Rear Admiral Mayo, which was granted, but it's purpose has not yet been divulged
 Ammunition Question
 Discussion today centered chiefly on the question of shipping arms and am munition through Tampico. The con- |fstitutionalists, short of ammunition, are certain to avail themselves of their first seaport to import war supplies for the campaign against Mexico City. The American government has never made clear definition of it's policy toward shipments of arms into Mexico from countries other than the United States. Arms were prevented from reaching Huerta through Vera Cruz be- cause the customs house there was ctiZcQ O9 liit <AHlttlCdn IOIctS dS an act of reprisal At Manzanillo and oth- CT west coast ports. no effort has been made to prevent arms from reaching Iuerta and the belief was general here today that the constitutionalists would khave no difficulty in importing muni- tions through Tampico in any quan- tity
 The presence of the Huerta gun boats in Tampico harbor after evacua- tion by the federals has led to the con lecture that they will be used to block ade the port It is believed that 1t is with the purpose of learning whethe, Admiral Mayo would respect such a blockade that the commanders of the federal gunboats asked for a confer ence. Naval experts here agree tha, 10 long as the federal commanders arc able to make this blockade really ef- fective it must be respected by foreign shipping. The recognition of an ef- fective blockade by belligerent does not it is held. involve political rec ognition of either party to the strife. Lobos Incident Closed The state department regards the Le. bos Island lighthouse incident af closed.
 Secretary Bryan acquitted of any