South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-05-12
All Peace Negotiations Believed
to Hinge on DiCtatOr'S AC-
ton on Bryan'S Order to Re-
lease SiIIiman.
NAVY WANTS RIGHT TO
CONTROL LIGHTHOUSES
Will Ask Permission to Land
BIueiaCketS to Guard All
BeaCOnS on West Coast of
Mexico.
BY W. j. MADDOX.
STAFF COrreSnondenf-

BY W. j. MADDOX.
staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON. May 12.-Ominous
clouds today overcast the prospects OF
mediation I'm the Mexican embrOglio
as official Washington waited TO see
whether General Huerta would keep
his promise 10 free John r. Silliman,
American vice consul imprisoned at
Saltillo. If Huerta does not comply
with the emphatic demand made by
Secretary Of State Bryan that the
American official be set at liberty at
once, il is believed the only recourse
Of the United States would be 10 send
troops across the Rio Grande.
Following Secretary Bryan's i'm
Piled ultimatum. the administration
was informed that Silliman Will be
placed in the custody of the Brazilian
minister at Mexico City and safely
conducted out OF the country. But
the Mexican dictator's actions prelim-
mary to mediation thus far have been
so annoying 10 government officials
that fear still is entertained that the
Silliman incident is not yet closed.
Want To Take Lighthouses.
Another phase Of the situation which
adds TO the mediation tangle is the
representations which the navy de
partment was prepared 20 make 10 the
mediatOrs regar ding the lighthouses
on the GOdSlS OF AGAlCO. II Is uUUEl-
stood the navy department viii ask the
mediatOrs 10 countenance the landing
of marines or bluejackets at a dozen
points on the west coast of Mexico to
take possession Of the lighthouses and
maintain the beacons which were eN-
tngUiShed by IIuerta's orders in an,
evident attempt to hamper the oper-
atiOns of the American fleet
Lobos island, south of Tampico, the
subject of Huerta's most recent pro-
test to the mediators. is not "Occu-
pied" by the navy. according to Acting
Secretary Roosevelt The navy. how
ever, has found il necessary 20 place
crew in the lighthouse there 90 main-
tain the light Similar action is con-
templated in regard 10 every other
Mexican lighthouse that has become
dark II is understood that the nay
department will urge this action on the
mediators to prevent naval disaster.
the occurrence Of which would cause
the last vestige Of hope for peace be-
tween this country and Mexico 70 VAN
sh in a flash
Wilson Back on Job.
President Wilson at once took up
the Mexican problem on his return
from New York. where he Joined in
the nations tribute 70 the Vera Cruz
dead Later in the day he will con
fer with Nelson O'Shaughnessy. until
recently charge d'affaires at Mexico
City, and discuss the latest phases of
the situation with his cabinet.
The report of constitutionalists sue
Cesses in Tampico continue TO come
here although official Washington is
still without definite information re-
garding the fighting. Little more than
a dozen Americans have fed 10 Rear
Admiral MayO's ships and other for
eigners have taken refuge on German
and English Men Of war. but by far
the greater number Of natiOnalities in
the danger zone are gathered under
the rebels protection IN an armed
camp in the oil well districts. General
Funston has Informed the war de-
partment that the Huertistas are max
ing a base at Puebla midway between
Vera Cruz and Mexico City with the
evident intention Of resisting an Amer
lean advance at that point IL also Is
Tumored here that Huerta Is prepar-
ing 20 remove his government TO that
place.
WASHINGTON. May IA heavy
battle 20 miles from Acapulco between
Zapatistas and federals resulted in Is
Zapatistas being killed. Rear Admiral
Howard reported 10 the navy depart
ment today from Mazatlan.
Skirmishing continues at Mazatlan.
Admiral Howard states san Blais
has been evacuated by the federals
The admiral reports that the bodies
Cf .. T. Williams. English. and g. p.
Hoadlev. American who were killed.
and Walter Neal wounded. during the
lighting between cOnstitutiOnalists and
federals at Fl Favor. arrived today az
Manzanulo.
Americans in the Yaqul valley have
refused 20 come ont and take passage
on the Annapolis for the United States.
WASHINGTON. May 12-GeneraI
Funston reported 20 the war depart
ment today that ne had so strength
ened his outpost az Vera Cruz particu-
larly at the water works that any se-
riOus attack from federal General
Mas would not cut of the water sup
ply OF the city. He stated that even
should the viaduct be cut. he has So
placed the engineer battalion as o.
repair any injury almost Immediately.
40 movements Of federal rl.-aus
under Mas are reported IN the imme-
diate vicinity OF the American orrr-
posts. Mail sent rom and 10 Mexico
City. Funston stated ha6 been held
just beyond the break in the railroad
hy General Mas There are about
200 sacks intended fog delivery in
Vera Cruz The despatch stated that
there Is no cause for alarm in tha
CITY. General Funston believes the
American troops are $50 well intrench-
ed that any Mexican attack al present
could ne repulsed.
The Mexican mediation enVoys the
telegramf stated .fft Vera crfur yes-
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