Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-02

vera Cruz, May Nv I'm liie oSOu-
epation of Vera Cfuz yesterday by
American soldiers under Brig. Gen.
Frederick Funston an accomplished
fact, and the return to their vessels
in the harbor of the sailors and ma
rines who took the port from the Mex
leans, questions of the future are to-
day beginning to engage the attention
| of American refugees and Mexican
business men. The future policy of
the Washington administration is be-
ing debated with much interest.
Permanently of Occupation
Americans and Mexicans alike lack
anything in the nature of definite in
formation on this subject and they
are. all trying to interpret, from the
trend of events since the seizure,
whether the American occupation of
Vera Cruz is to be permanent or not.
# once convinced that the American
flag is to float over this city until
tranquility is restored throughout the
republic, it is virtually certain that
the Mexicans of Vera Cruz will give
their heartiest support to the Ameri-
can civil government.
Residents Pleased
Today they admit frankly that they
are enjoying greater freedom from
apprehension, more personal liberty
and a larger measure of prosperity.
owing to the influx of American mon
ey than they have known in many
years. Many even assert that they
would cheerfully subscribe to any pol
icy of the United States which would
insure them continuation of the
present conditions and the extension
of these conditions to the rest of the
republic. Some careful observers
among the Mexicans, however, take a
pessimistic view and do not believe
that anything short of complete
American occupation of Mexico would
bring about these desired results.
They point out that many factions are
striving for power in various sections
of the republic.
Division of Territory
The entire state of Morelos is abso-
lutely controlled by the followers of
Zapata, while the state of Guerrero
is under the jurisdiction of the Fig
uerera brothers; furthermore, northern
Mexico, much of the Western coast
and isolated points elsewhere, such as
Tampico, are controlled or hemmed in
by the supporters of Carranza and
Villa In the capital Provisional Pres
ident Huerta is in the saddle but
strong factions favoring Carranza, Fe-
lix Diaz or some other aspirant to the
Presidency, are intriguing against
Huerta and ech other. Zapata and
the Figueroa brothers have been run
ming things in the country they con-
troll without regard to any claims of
q central power Such states are viz
tually independents principalities with
in the borders of the distracted repub-
lie.
Doubt Mediation Value
There ilso is an element of Mexicans
and American refugees now in Vera
Cruz who today express their doubt
that the mediation undertaken by Ar
gentina, Brazil and Chile, or similar
negotiations will bring about a stable
coalition of these warning factions In
the republic resulting in the re-estab-
lishment of order. They are of the
opinion that personal jealousies would
prevent the selection of any leader to
represent them all, and they unhesi-
tatingly declare that, in their opinion
ambition and not patriotism actuates
a great majority of the Mexican fac
tionists.
Another fdea presented today by
thoughtful Mexicans is that the only
solution of the problem lies in 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 10y duly elected Mexican Off
Gals, the United States supervising
these elections and vouching for theil
| fairness.
The American authorities, civil
naval and army, are making every eff
fort to disseminate throughout the re-
public truthful pictures Of the benev-
Glen; rule already established in Vera
Cruz. There is reason to believe also
that Washington is quietly working tt
this same end through military and
civil agents sent here to talk things
over with representative Mexicans
| These agents have been selected FOL
their knowledge, of the Spanish Ian
guage and their familiarity with Mex
| leo and the Mexicans and they are
said to be making every effort t.
make plain the disinterested motives
of the Washington administration al
we'll as its firm resolve that order be
restored and stable government
erected.
Reviews today Of the local situation
leads to the belief that by delaying
any contemplated extension OF mill
tary operations, the Washington gov
eminent feels there is a probability
that armed resistance may be elm
mated to a measurable degree ant
countless lives saved. This is though
to be the purpose Of the effort to scat
ter broadcast through the territory to-
ward Mexico and send into the CAPT
tai itself a full account, not only O.
the kindly treatment given Mexican'
here, but also of the number, effective
ness and complete equipment of thu
army and navy forces now employed
in Vera Cruz and their readiness To-
further use If required.
Mexican residents of Vera Cruz wer'
were free to express today their con