The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-01
MexiCans Forsee
 Prosperity Under u. 5. Pr0teCtOFate

e4 Vera Cruz May 1--WTth the oCcuPsa- ton of Vera Cruz yesterday by Arnert- can soldiers under Brig.-Gen. Funston. an accomplished fact and the return to their vessels in the harbor of the sailors and marines who took the port from the Mexicans, the questions of the future are today beginning to engage the attention of American refugees and Mexican business men. The fu- ture policy of the Washington admin istrationS IS being debated with much interest. 5sss
 Americans and Mexicans alike lack anything in the nature of definite information 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 If onee convinced shat the American flag is to float over this city until tranquility is restored through out the republic. it is virtually certain that the Mexicans of Vera Cruz will give their heartiest support to the American civil government.
 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 money than they have known in many years
 Some careful observers among the d 10 not believe that anything short of complete American occupation of Mexico would bring about these de7 sired results. They point out that many factions are striving for power in various sections of the republic.
 REBEL HEADERS AMBITIOUS.
 The entire state Of MereIos is a;bso- lutely controlled by the followers of Eapata. while the state Of Guerrero is under the Jurisdiction of the Figueroa brothefs; furthernore. northern Mexi-5 co, much of the western coast and iso- lated points elsewhere such as Tam pico, are controlled or hemned in by zapata and the FigueRoa brothers are running things in the country they control without regard to any claims of central power. =
 This statement of general condi- lions is made by Mexicans to support pation Is the only thing that will bring lasting peace.
 There also is an element Of Mexfcans and American refugees now in Vera Cruz who today express their doubt that the mediation undertaken by Ar gentin8 Brazil and Chile or similar negotiations will bring about a stahle coalition of these warning factions in the republic resulting in the re-estabSs lishment of order. They are of tthe opinion that personal jealousies would prevent the selection of any leader hesitatingly declare that, in their opin-s ion. ambition and not patriotism ac- tuates a great majority of the Mexi- can factionists
 PROTECTORATE SUGGESTED.
 It is apparent that the local opinion of the future is conflicting. Another idea presented today by thoughtful
 
 of the problem lies in a partial oc-. cupation of Mexico by the United States and the stablishment under American protection of a government similar to the one formed in Nicara- qua which later would be succeeded United States supervising these cleo tions and vouching for heir fairness. This idea is receiving considerable en- dorsement from a group of Mexican officials who have remained in the city.
 The American authorities. civil, nav al and army are making every effort to distribute throughout the republic truthful pictures of the benehcient rule already established in Vera Cruz. There is reason to believe also that Washington is quietly working to this same end through military and civil agents sent there to talk things over with represent alive Mexicans.
 The Washington government feels there is probability that armed re- urable degree and countless lives sav- ed
 This is thought to be the purposs be the effort to scatter broadcast through the territory toward Mexico city and send into the capital itself a full account of the kindly treatment given Mexicans-
 EXPECT HUERTA'S FAIL. l Mexican residents of Vera Cruz were free to express today their conviction that the continuation in power of Pro visiona1 President Huerta is a9 mat ter only of weeks at most. With the sources of large revenue cut off here and on the western coast and Tampico isolated and likely to fall into the hands of the nstituttona1isEs any day, they believe that Huerta would welcome deve1opm ent in the sit- uation which would afford him an op- portunity for escape without loss of I dignity.
 This, however, is purely speculation as no Mexican here claims to know anything of Huerta,s plans. or hopes. If Huerta, should abdicate or be oust- ed from office by Carranza and Villa, there is 8. strong belief in Vera Crux that the United States probably would feel obliged to permit the censtitu- tionalists to make every effort to re- establish a government. That the rebels are competent to do this a majority of local Mexicans do not believe and they are today expressing the hope that the United States will continue in possession of Vera, Cruz: they fear that departure now would mean ultimate return in order to complete the work by ad- vancing on Mexico City.
 | .sAek1