Albuquerque morning journal., 1914-05-14
TACO IS TAKEN By REBELS AFTER DESPERATE DESSP RESISTANCE By FEDS

y . NNs
These We're the chief Developments
in the Mexican situation today the
mediators were busy preparing for
their departure and Counsellor Lam
sing spent much time with the Ameri-
can representatives. famillarizine them
with the situation Mr. Lansing SAID
that the status of the American rep
resentatives would be unofficial as
they would bear no credentials ana
would not have plenipotentiary pow
ers. An steps would be referred FOR
final decision to the president and sec
retary of state at Washington Mr.
Lansing said, however, the American
emissaries would have certain instruc-
tions and probably would be able TO
participate in the elimination of some
points in the proposals as they were
made.
Tc Restore Oil Activity.
Outside Of the interest in the prog
ress Of tho mediation. the develop
ments at Tampico injected many new
phases into the general situation Ihe
practical certainty that the conslitu-
I tonalists would be in control Of ram
ipico made it apparent that the United
states would be in a position to prlhg
about return OF normal conditions
lin the oil district Negotiations Wlth
the constitutionalists to permit Amerl-
can and other foreign employees to re-
\ turn 10 the wells are to begin as soon
/ as news OF occupation By the consul
Itutionalists Is received Another phase
Of the situation which produced much
discussion in executive quarters was
I the question of ammunition shipment
destined for Tampico when the con-
stitutionalists are In control
Consttutonalists here are authority
4 for the statement that after the bat
tie OF Tampco ana Satillo now being
fought, the rebels will have little ann
munition left with which to continue
the fight against Huerta. With a
practical embargo on the importation
OF munitions of war across the Ameri-
can border in effect the rebels believe
their only chance is getting additional
ammunition win be from abroad. on
the other hand, should the constitu-
tionalists be allowed to import ammu-
milton through Tampico some officials
point out that Huerta probably would
protest that the holding up of ship
.ments of arms for him al Vera cruz
was unjust.
Army Problem UnsOlyed.
The position of the American gov
iernment has been that II neld the Gus
toms house az vera cruz as an act of
reprisal. ana when a shipment of arms
twas en- route TO Puerto Mexico re-
Gently no attempt was made to pre-
vent its landing. although i'm way
still unexplained, the German ship
CARRYING the munitions decided not
to land it's cargo of arms
News of the fighting at Tampieo
came in brief dispatches TO the navy
department Rear Admiral Mayo re-
ported that the fedcrals lacked ammu-
milton and could not hold out. The
Mexican federal gunboats ON whose
six Founders the garrison depended
for protection against the artillery fire
of the consttutionalists took a posi-
ton far up the river part Of the day
but at 2 p m withdrew 70 the outer
harbor where the American and other
war ships lay
Their purpose was not explained
but the Inference drawn was thal
they were getting out of range OF the
rebel artillery
New Complication Likely.
The taking OF Tampico, the port
next I'm importance 10 Vera Cruz. viii
raise many interestins questions as
the consututioualists nave hitherto
held no sea coast towns It is possible
that the federal gunboats outside the
harbor may prevent arms and supplies
from landing al Tampico, but such am
interference with international COM
meroe might not be tolerated by the
big foreign ships lying there and com
pIications are possible.
As there is an embargo ON the eN-
portation of arms into Mexico from
the United states. ammunition could
be shipped only from European pofts
and hitherto there has been no inter-
ference by General Huerta with for
cign commerce other than that with
the United states.
with success al Tampico the consu-
tutionalists will press hard for the
possession Of saltillo and san Luis Po-
tosi, where the garrison from Tampieo
Is believed To have fled
Fighting on the west coast TO-DAY
was desultory. according 10 meagel re-
ports. The federals We're still "cen-
, pying the city of Tepec. Trains were
running between Guadaiaiara ana
Mexico city. but the constiutionalis's
we're threatening to cut the line again
I.obos Island Incident.
The f.obos island incident sun rs
Giving some concern to the navy de-
nartment Secretary Daniels said to-
dav that me intended TO await arrival
.of detailed reports from Admiral
uadger before undertaking To pass
npon the conduct Of Lieutenant Conn
nander Jeffcrs. of the destroyer Fan
ming in giving the Mexican light
kecper certificate to the effect tha'
h. had been dispossessed by force.
The secretary said that the Nouhs
off,cer had acted without instructions
from the commander-iu-chiet, out ne
was not clear in his own mino
/ ..... faf entirely g.