The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-06-11
WAR WITH MEXICO
IS AGAIN |MM|Ntn.
HUERTA'S PLAN TO BLOCKADE
TAMPIco Is CAUSE OF NEW
CRISIS.
U. S. WILL KEEP PORTS OPEN
Policy of This Country as Announced
Some Time Ago to Hold Now
Federal Gunboats Pass Vera Cruz
TraiIed by v. S. Ships.

Washington, June 9.-Another cris.
is in the Mexican difficulty faced the
Washington government, a situation
fraught with perils for mediation and
with possibilities that may precipitate
actual warfare between the United
States and Mexico.
Huerta Is Responsible.
General Huerta brought about the
new crisis by ordering his gunboats
to blockade the port of Tampico, and
to seize a cargo of ammunition en-
route there for the Mexican Constitu-
tiOnalists aboard the steamer Antilla
from New York flying the Cuban flag.
Huerta has notified the powers of the
intent to blockade the port and that
he proposed to seize the cargo con-
signed to the belligerents against his
sovereignty as c~Ontraband of war.
The purpose of the United States to
suppress the attempt to blockade and
prevent interference with the Antilla
was indicated when Secretary Daniels
issued an official statement announc-
ing that while no new orders had been
given Rear Admiral Badger, there
had been no change in the policy Of
the government in reference to its de-
sire that the port of Tampico shall be
open to all commerce. The statement
follows:
To Keep Port Open.
1.-THE navy department has issued
no new orders to Admiral Badger
Cinnn thn NTnVinon o,,phDot. rv,,o -
ported to be leaving Puerto Mexico.
The department has at no time con.
templated furnishing a convoy to the
Antilla, or any other ship, nor have
any orders to that effect been issued.
No word whatever has been received
as to whether or not warships of 9TH
er nations have been notified of the
blockade, at Tampico, or what their
attitude would be toward such &
blockade. There has been no change
in the policy of the government ip
reference to its desire that the port
of Tampico shall be open to all com
merce."
AS to whether "all commerce" in
this instance includes c~Ontraband OF
war no official of the government will
discuss. So far as is known. the only
orders relating to Tampico that have
been issued went to Admiral Badger
on May IS in the form of a message
informing him that, while it was not
believed the Huerta g~unboats would
return to TampicC, it was deemed adj
visable that the commanders of Amer
lean naval vessels understand that the
government desired that there be no
interference with commerce at that
port.
To Prevent Blockade.
That the blockade decree will be
carried out is verified by Admiral
Badger in a report to the navy depart
ment from Vera Cruz. He
that the Mexican gunboats Zaragosa
and Bravo, which left Puerto Mexico
Saturday night, are standing toward
Tampico. The American cruiser Tia.
coma and gunboat Sacramento are
following the Huerta ships. What the
American warships will do when the
commander of Huerta's ships attempts
to seize the Antilla, when she arrives
at Tampico Wednesday no officials in
Washington will say.
The president conferred over the
telephone with cabinet officials and
also received important messages
from the American delegates to the
mediation conference at Niagara Falls.
These were believed to have a bearing
on the impending delicate situation
at Tampico, but no announcement
was made concerning the inter.
changes.
Tampico Anticipates Attack.
Tampico.-In anticipation of an at
tack on the city by the Federal gum
boats Zaragosa and the Bravo, the
work of erecting Notifications at the
mouth of the river here is being rush
ed. Five heavy guns already have
been placed. Steps also are being TAX
en- to block the channel of the river,
should such a step be deemed neces'
sary.