New Britain herald., 1914-05-12
WILSON CONFIDENT OF|
 NED|ATORS' SUccEs|
President Believes Further COn1Ct
 in MexCO Will Be AVGTted.

W IIVhVV Vul " 0vVttVu. CABINET HOLDS LENGTHY MEET|NI Mexican Government Has Ordered tllI Immediate. Release of Vice Conss1
 John R. SiIliman, Held Prisoner q
 SaItilIo-Rebels Continue Campaigs
 Washington, May 12.-Members the cabinet, after a prolonged con ference with President Wilson toda on the Mexican situation, declare the president maintained confidenc that mediation would succeed an ( that further serious consequences i( Mexico would be averted
 Most of the discussion in the cabI inet meeting, it was said, related t{ mediation and the views to be preI sented on behalf of this government by Justice Lamar and Frederick WI Lehman when the South America4 envoys seek views of the United States and Huerta's representatives a | the Niagara Falls conference.
 Tampico Situation Discussed.
 The situation at Tampico was rel ported to have been discussed. Com} plications that might arise over th( foreign-owned oil properties thereI should destruction result from th( conflict between constitutionalists and federal forces, have been under con \ sideration for some time. Lack ol definite information as to the progresd of the battle raging at Tampico is causing cabinet members considers able concern.
 The report from London that Great Britain had ordered the Bristol. 4 speedy cruiser, to proceed to Tam pico, was not regarded as particularly significant here. As the Bristol is of light draft, it was believed she might be used to operate in the Panuco river, along which the British oil properties are located.
 Was Huerta's Request.
 Secretary Bryan announced after the meeting that the representations made to this government by the South American mediators in behalf of the South American snipers under arrest in Vera Cruz were made at the re- quest of the Huerta government. He understood, he said, that this had been done on the ground that the ''sniping'' had occurred in Mexican territory. He added that there was a question as to whether one of th6 South Americans accused was a Brazilian or Venezuelan.
 Important situation Phases.
 While Huerta's mediating missions steamed north from Vera Cruz and the American delegates began plsns of or ganization for the Niagara Falls com ference, these important phases in the Mexican situation stood out. der manding urgent attention.
 Disposition of five South Aiperi- cans. arrested for sniping operations at Vera Cruz.
 Settlement of the occupation" of Lobos rIsland, which drew a protezt from Huerta's foreign minister.
 Daniels Has Report
 The Lobos Island incident wa taken up by Secretary Daniels. He had before him this report from Rear Admiral Mayo st Tampico:
 "Lobos Island has not been occu- pied. The Dixie and some destroyers anchored there and other vessels have coaled there from collier. Tn , keepers of Lobos Island light desertv ed it and the Dixie is now maintain- ing it for the benefit of navigation, I understand that the destroyers hay l, had occasional swimming parties ashore"
 General belief was expressed that this explanation would amply answee Huerta's protest that Vine United States by seizing the island had vio- lated the armistice, and would make it plain that the Dixies commander acted only to insure protection to shipping by maintenance of the Isobos light
 Postponc Prisoners Trial.
 Disposition of the cases of the South Americans arrested at Vera Cruz had been halted pending word from the ministers Of their respective countries When it became known that General Funston proposed to try the men before a military court-mar- tial, the Brazilian minister in Mexico City appealed for them. Secretary Garrison decided to postpone action on that, pointing out that properly it should have been made by states of which the prisoners are citizens.
 Word anxiously was awaited today of the result of fighting at Tampico. where rebels and federals were in a death grapple for territory in which millions of American and British dol- lars are invested. General Zaragoxn, commanding at Tampico. reported to Huerta today that the constitutional- ists had been defeated Saturday with heavy loss. 1t was believed there Ina d been heavy fighting since then, and that the federal reports were not nec- essariIy conclusive.