The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-12
U. s. ACCUSED
OF BAD FAITH
BY GEN. HUERTA


6isposal of the brazilian Legation,
which. undertakes that he shall leave
zoe Republic.
The BRAZILIAN Minister already has
made what he terms the strongest
presentations TO Huerta in behalf Of
ne Consul. Officials here are at "a loss
III understand the action OF the Federal
authorities in holding him longer un-
.css it is that the Mexican dictator has
fallen back on HIS old time tactics Of
loading the American Government with
the view vi rijding himself OF the EN-
',rrassments and responsibilities of con-
linued participation in tho mediation
,nterchanges.
Ihe excuse given ny the Mexican Gov
eminent for failure to procure has reIease
,lHcr the first demand from the United
states more than a week ago wac that
the investiturc of Satilio by 1.-THE Constitu-
tienalists made communication with the
Federais in the city difficult and had pre-
vented orders getting through to per-
init the Consuis departure.
This excuse is shown to be groundless
by Information from the Brazilian Miais-
ter at Mexico city tfa,t the Consui's clerk.
Marchni, who also had been imprisoned.
has been set at liberty and was permit
ted to leave Saltillo for Vera Cruz yester-
day. The release OF Marchini convinced
officials that the retention OF Silliinan had
had been permitted by the provisional
government even after its promise last
week to obtain his release immediately.
Release Was Promised.
Secretary OF state Bryan has had no
official communication from Silliman for
nearly month. First news OF the i'm
prisonment and mistreatment OF the Con-
sal reached the STATE Department from
unofficial sources a week ago.
On tho receipt of the demand for
Sflliman's release the Mexican Govern
mont replied that he had been held by
the Federal soldiers at Saltillo solely for
h1s own protection In the fear that he
might be mistreated by the popuiace there.
Information that he would be released
and given safe conduct to the American
lines at Vera Cruz was conveyed TO
Washington officials through the French
Minister.
This assurance was taken on its face
va1ue and Mr.. Bryan ceased his Inquiries
On the subject.
To-day's information that the Mexican
Federals had failed to comply with the
assurance given through the French Min
lister took the Department completely by
surprise. II was announced in the follow
ing bulletin:
The Brazilian Minister IN Mexico city
hss advised the state Department that he
had made the strongest representations in
behalf OF the release of Consul Silliman,
who IL stated to be still at SaItilio under
arrest. His clerk. Marchini. has been set
1t liberty and left for Vera Cruz on Sun
day. the 10th"
The sending Of the forcefui new demands
10 Mexico city is believed To have followed
quickly after the receipt OF Senior Cor
.oZas dos patch.
Fear Consul uas Been Killed.
Grave doubt is entertained here that
Siliman is Imprisoned at Saltillo at all
.Secause of the continued failure OF the
Government to get direct information re-
-aIding the Consul fear has arisen that he
already may have been murdered either
~ the Federal troops or the populace at
.,dltlilo. and that the protestations that
lis release would soon be accomplished
n1Ne been made in the hope of concealinS
nis fate.
Huertas protest against tho occupa-
ton OF the island Of Lobos was received
through the South American mediators
THIS morning. and Secretary of State
BrSa Immediately asked the Navy he.
partment to obtain a detailed report from
Admiral Mayo in regard to any American
operations at that island. Huerta. in
his complaint. charged that the island
mad been seized by a landing party from
United States torpedo boats. that the
lghtkeepers had been arrested and later
released after they had turned over the
apparatus for the operation OF tho i'm
portant beacon stationed on the island.
report was received tonight by the
Navy Department from Admiral Mayo. in
which the Admiral makes II clear that
the United States Is now maintaining the
Light, but he contendds that the island
has not been seized. Ills dispatch was
as follows:
"Lobos Island has not been occupied.
there and other vessels have coaled there
from a collier. The keepers of Lobos ISL
and light deserted 1t and the Dixie Is now
maintaining II for the benefit of naviga .
ton. ! understand that the destroyers
have occasional swimming parties
ashore"
Basing his reply on this despatch
Secretary OF State Bryan has replied TO
Huerta through the medlators that the
United States has not taken Possession of
the island and there has been no violation
Of the so-caled arinistce with Huerta
The act of maintaining this important
light after the Mexican keepers had de-
serted II Is described as necessary for
the safety Of the vessels Of the world
Also, II Is believed here that Admiral
Mayo will continue to maintain this ligh'
40 long as there is any likelihood that the
American war vessels may need 1t II
seeking AN entrance To 'ampico Bay.
Lobos Island IL "A beautiful tropical cora
island about three miles long between
Vera Cruz and Tampico, but about fifty