Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-05-14
], s. MED|ATORS
,,,|; l::Aa s,...1 N ENvUYS
Paying Respects Is First For.
NAL Step IN Program Of
Peace-Making.
j. s. NOT TO R0LO l0b0s
Lighthouse Incident Not to En-
danger NegOtiatiOns-Rebels
to BE Asked Again to
Take Part.
U. S. NOT TO H0LO L0BJs

Washington May 13.-Irirst formal
steps In the program Of mediation in the
Mexican problem were taken here to-
day, Justice Lamar and Frederic w.
Lehman. together with their secretary.
II. Perceval Dodge. who will represent
the United States, called on and paid
their respects to the three South Ameri-
can ENJOYS who have undertaken by
diplomacy to solve the Mexican uues-
tion.
1t was a call of courtesy but paved
the way for Informal conferences in ad-
vance of the first meeting at Niagara
Falls. ont, next Monday. Concidentally
word WAS received by the mcdiators from
the Mexican foreign minister that the
Huerta representatives would arrive at
Havana tonight or tomorrow and leave
Immediately for Niagara Falls via Key
West.
Fighting continued fcrccly at Tampico
to-day and tonight Admiral Mayo re-
ported that the fedcras were evacuating.
Reports were current that strong pres
sure would be brought to bear on the
constitutlonalists from several quarters
after the Tampico battle to induce them
10 participate IN the mediation.
NOT TO RETAIN ISLAND.
Secretary Bryan announced that the
United States had no intention of holding
Lobos island and that if the MexiCans
would keep the navigation lights burning
there the American forces would depart
content. The mediators do not regard the
Lobos island incident as menacng the
forthcoming negotiations.
Secretary Garrison Cabed General Mas
| the Mexican commander a full explana-
tion of the death of Private Parks, who
straycd into Mexican lines several days
ago Protests against the reported oXecu-
| tion of Parks and the alleged burning OF
| his body had been made also through ldpio-
matte channels to General Huerta. Secre-
tary Garrison holds that as Parks was
| in uniform he should have been treated
as a prisoner of war.
MFDIATORS TO INITIATE.
These were the chief DEVELOPMENTS in
tn" Mexican situation to-day. The
| mediators were busy preparing for their
departure and Counsellor Lansing spent
much time with the American repre-.
| sentativcs familiarizIns them with the
| general situation. NJ. Lansing said the
status of the American representatives.
would be unofficial as they would bear
| no credentials and would not have
| plenipotentiary powers. All steps would
be "ad referendum" is would be
| referred for final decision to the Presi-
| dent and secretary of state at Wa shing-
| ton. Suggestions will not be made Mr.
| Lansing explained. by any of the parties
to the mediation. All proposals will come
| from the mcdiators, he added, hut the
| representatives will be free to present
information pertinent to the discussion
| Mr.. Lansing said, however. the Ameri
| can emssarieS would have certain in.
| structons and probably would be able tC
| participate in the elimination OF som,
points In the proposals as they Wer,
| made. He indicated that. as tn
mediators met first with the representa-
tives OF one side and then with III,
other, each party expressing Views ol
| eliminating points, the tendcnoy Of tn,
| program would hc to arrive - a middle
/ ground of agreement