The Sentinel=record., 1914-05-09
WAR PROBLEM
 GROWS TENSE
FUNSTON'S DEMAND FOR MORE TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ CAUS-
 ES GREAT ANXIETY.
TRANSPORTS MADE READY

| But Orders to Embark the Troops
 Have Not Vet Been Sent-Claimed
 6O,oOo Men Are Needed if Vera Cruz
 is to be Held.
 Washington, May S.-Iigh tension marked the Mexican situation today both on the military and the diplo- matte side.
 The war department was the chief center of activity and while no au. thoritatiye statement was made be- | yond Secretary Garrison's formal reply that mo orders for additional | troop movements have been sent" it | became known that the department was considering the sending of addi- | tional troops to Vera Cruz and prob ably would do so This step would not be intended as an aggressive measure but as a precautionary one. l. Of equally serious portent to the 1 troop preparations was the report | late in the day that two German mer- chant ships were about to arrive at | Puerto Mexico with arms and am intuition for lInerta. 1t was realized that this, if true, would present an incident similar to the arrival of the | Ypiranga at Vera Cruz, which led to l the Amreican occupation of that port.
 Huerta's protest to the mediators that the United States had broken the armistice by landing additional troops at Vera Cruz was considered by the cabinet and later Secretary Bryan announced that the reply of this government stated that no az gressive steps had been taken by the United States forces and that nothing had been done to violate the suspension of hostilities.
 The American reply was delivered to the mediators late today. The mediators themselves also took the view that the question raised by Huerta over the observance of the armistice could be cleared away and that Huerta could be convinced that the United States had not violated in spirit at least the armistice.
 The cabinet meeting brought a | general discussion of the situation. It was said after the meeting that there was little doubt as to the send ing of additional forces, wholly for precautionary purposes. It also be. came known that inquiries had been made of the governors of states to ascertain the condition of national guards and how soon they could be prepared for active service. This also is a precautionary measure. In dlcations are that if national guards are called on they would not be sent out of the country but would be used on the Texas border.
 The discussion of reinforcing Gen eral Funston at Vera Cruz has de veloped a marked difference of opin- ion in the cabinet Some take the view that the mediation negotiations might be embarrassed by such an act: others believe it a necessary precaution. General Funston is un- derstood to have told the war depart ment that his lines are vulnerable at different points and that a sudden attack along the railroad would ne cessitate the withdrawal of forces from other points, which would be left unprotected. He has informed the war department that he will need 15,000 to 1S,000 men to hold Vera Cruz and outlying districts.
 Secretary Garrison today said that no orders had been issued for any troop movement, but it became known authoritatively that contracts had been closed for the chartering oi several merchant steamers and that within a day or two formal orders would be issued. It is understood that within two weeks at least nine transports will have been secured.
 Secretary Garrison declined to dis cuss the chartering of the steamers The only thing he would say was:
 There is no contemplated aggres sive movement at this time."
 This is in line with the attitude o other high officials of the admins tration, who contend that the send ing of endorsements to Genera Funston is not an aggressive act anC does not violate the arrangements fol a suspension of hostilities.
 Needs 6o,ooo Men.
 The fact that army officers hat , recommended the sending of at leas 5 50,O00 to 60,000 to Vera Cruz becamt known generally in executive guar