The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1914-04-24
REBELS
STIRRED
Object to Occupation of Vera
Cruz by U. S. Troops
Carranza In Note Says Zeizure of
Port Is Hostile Act Against
Mexican People.

Stand Of constItutlonalIsts Means,
According to American Army Off,
eIals, That All Of Northern Mexico
VIII Be lnhamed Against the
United States Unless the Admins.
tratlon Decides to Retraee Its
Steps - Anxiety at the National
Capital.
Washington, April 23.-The admin.
ist-ation received a blow with the de.
livery Of General Carranzas note TO
the state department. Although Sec
retary Bryan maintained an outward
show OF hopefulness, It was clear
that other officials were greatly
alarmed over this development.
The attitude of Carranza as indi.
Gated in his note is likely to lead to
the upsetting Of all of President VIII
sons hopes for cooperation between
the United States and the Constitu-
tionalists in the campaign against
Huerta. II means, in the opinion Of
army officials here, that 1t will be
only a short time before all Of north
ern Mexico will be inflamed against
the United States unless President
Wilson decides to accept CarranZa's
warning and retrace his steps.
Carra Va pointed out that the seiz-
ure of ' era Cruz would be regarded
as a hostile act by the Mexican peo-
pie, and that It was advisable for
the United States to withdraw its
troops from Vera Cruz just as soon
as was practicable.
Carranza agreed with President
Wilson that Huerta does not repre-
sent the Mexican nation, but, on the
other hand, feared the Mexican peo-
pie might be infiamed and drawn into
a conflict which would make them
sacrifices to the usurpations Of HUI
erta.
What carranza Said.
General Carranza described the
Constitutionalist successes, saying
that Huerta is slowly being crushed
and that the Constitutionalists soon
would be in possession of the Mexico
City government. When they tri-
umphed, he pointed out, ample rep
aration would be made for all Of
fenses. In the meantime he wished
the United States no take no steps
which would excite the Mexican pop
ulace.
The note, it was admitted by many
officials, was capable of a friendly
construction. but there was some
doubt expressed that the subordinate
officers under General Carranza
might not be so conservative. Ap-
prehension over this situation was
manifest in many quarters.
General Carranza in his letter said:
"The invasion will drag us (Mexico)
into an unequal war with dignity, but
which until today we desired to
avoid"
Should hostility on the part of the
Constitutionalists crystalize, plans of
the army will be changed. There
were reports that the joint army and
navy board already had recommend
ed the restoration of the embargo on
arms.
Action by congress approving the
presidents course in using the army
and navy in view of the situation he
had presented in his message, and
the receipt of details of the fighting
at Vera Cruz, were the days chief
developments. officials expressed
themselves as greatly pleased with
the promptness of Rear Admiral
Fletcher's forces in taking possession
of Vera Cruz and restoring order
there.
Future steps are uncertain. The
president has determined that his
course shall be gradual. No orders
have been issued to seize the Gus
toms house at Tampico. 1t is the pur-
pose Of the administration to keep
order in Vera Cruz and await the
full effect on Huerta of the first act
Of reprisal by the American govern
ment.