Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-12


 negotiations marked time, pending for nal sittings of the South American
 mediators to begin Monday on Canadi- an soil, the mediators and officials of the state department here today were occupied with several serious phases or the Mexican situation demanding, immediate attention. Secretary Bryan called at the Argentine legation late in the afternoon and spent two hours in conference with the South American enyoys, discussing the continued deten- ton of John R. Silliman, American vice consul at Saltillo. by Mexican federals; the reported seizure of Lobos Island with its lighthouse by American tor South Americans under arrest at Vera Cruz for firing upon United States sailors and marines. Mir. Bryan in- sisted that the release of Silliman must be brought about at once. When asked about the matter later, he would not say what would happen if the vice consul were kept in prison. but he was grdvely emphatic in announcing the governments determination to have him freed.
 As to the Lobos Island incident. the secretary informed the mediators that so far the United States had received no official confirmation of the taking Of the islapd and that in the absence of confirmation he could offer no formal explanation of the reported action or the navy. In administration circles it is contended that if the seizure has been made it was not an act of aggres- sion against Hutrta, but merely
 necessary step to protect oil shipping against possible disaster as a result of the closing of the lighthouse by the federals.
 First official news of the landing of American sailors on LObo Island reached the navy department late to- night. Rear Admiral Mayo cabled that the Mexican keepers deserted the great lighthouse on the island and that the destroyer tender Dixie was maintain ing it for the benefit of navigation" While the. Mexican representatives appointed by General Huerta were taking leave of their revolutions torn country. welcomed and given Godspeed armed forces of the United States at Huerta's gateway the United States government officially announced its representatives in mediation from the negotiations before the South Ameri- can triumvirate at Niagara Falls on next Monday.
 Justice Lamar of the United States supreme court and Frederick w. Ieh- mann, former solicitor general, were chosen by President Wilson as the American representatives. From Huer- ta are hastening Augustine Rodriguez, Emilio Rabasa and Luis Elguero. Am bassador Da Gama of Brazil, Minister Naon of Argentina and Minister Suarez OHlle. lhe OA pressed satisfaction in the selection Of tho advisers for both governments and little further is expected in the pre- 1iminary peace negotiations until all have met in Canada
 General CarranZa and the Mexican rebels who seek Huerta's overthrow will not be represented in the confer ence, according to latest adyices- They will continue to make war in Huerta's territory while the truce between the fl
 Disturbing elements continued to arouse interest throughout the day General Funston at Vera Cruz was appealed 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 oiers from the refuge Of tramp steamer in Vera Cruz harbor. An ap- peal was made to Secretary Bryan by the mediating envoys on behalf of Gen. eral Huerta because of reports that American forces had seized a Mexi- can lighthouse on Lobos Island, on Tampico an act which Huerta's agents maintained was aggressive and In vio- lation of the armistice. This govern ment maintained that Huerta had vio- lated the armiStice in ordering light houses closed on the Pacific coast to the peril of shipping.
 From Tampico. where Mexican fed erals and constitutionalists have been preparing for a sangmnary struggle, came rumblings of battle while reports that Huerta's strength was waning in Mexico City and that the bandit leader Zapata was about to attack the capital from the south served to rouse anxiety among diplomatic agents Of foreign nationg lest their people in Mexico City might be in imminent danger of perse- cution or death.
 Late in the day Secretary Bryan hastened to the Argentine legation. where he consulted for half an hour with the mediators. None would ois- CUES the conference. but IL was learneo that disturbing reports from MeMco City together with disputed points that had arisen over the armistice, had been discussed.
 State department officials were in dignant when it became known that Vice Consul SilliInan and his clerk, Jo- seph A Marchani as well as several other Americans. had been imprisoned by the federal commander at Saftillo and that the consul still is held, despite urgent representations for his release made by the Brazilian minister in Mexico City. Late despatches were ac- cepted as indicating that the Mexican war minister's assurances to the French charge last week that neither Consul Sillinan nor any member of the ennhasy stan, nor any other Americans in Saltillo had been in danger" was intended only to deceive state depart ment officials as to the real state of affairs at Saltfllo.
 Admiral Mayo's report, responding to the navy departments request for immediate Information concerning the incident complained of hy the Huerfa government to the mediaters said:
 Lishthsuss Was Dsssrtsd.
 '1-ebes Island has net been occupied. fhe Dixie and some destreyers an- chered there and other vessels have cealed there from a collier. The keep CTS of Lebos Island light deserted it