Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-11

hdshington. May 1O--PreS1dent Wilson received today at the White House Ambassador Da Gama of Bra bii. the ranking member of the South American mediators who are trying to compose the Mexican trouble. Neith- CT the White House nor the ambassa- dor would make any statement of the conference, but the receipt later of a despatch from Mexico City stating that Foreign Minister Ruiz had pro- tested to the mediators that several United States torpedo boats with a transport and tender had landed a party on Lobos Island, eight miles off the coast and taken the lighthouse, was believed to have been the purpose of the ambassadors unusual visit to the White House on Sunday.
 The mediators had held an early conference previous to the ambassa- dor's call at the White House and this meeting, on Sunday, indicated devel- opments. of more than ordinary i'm portance. No information was obtain able from the mediators or the White House concerning Minister Ruiz's tel egram, but it was believed that a reply had been made
 The navy department has not made public anything concerning the oper- alton of vessels about Lobos Island. Admiral Howard cabled yesterday to the navy department that Huerta had ordered the lighthouses on the Pacific coast extinguished so as to impede navigation by American ships. The same order by Huerta is reported to have been made as to Lighthouses on the Atlantic side, so that the report ed seizure of the lighthouse on Lobos Island might be held to be a precau- uonary measure to keep the lights burning and thus protect all shipping along the coast, where many British, French. Spanish and other vessels ply.
 As such a precautionary measure, the taking Of the lighthouse, it is con- tended would be without significance as an occupation or territorial acqui- sition of the island and therefore would not justify any charge of vio- lation of armistice.
 The call of two of the mediators on the secretary of state last night fol- lowed by their assembling for a meet ing on Sunday morning, led to the be lief that developments of the past 24 hours involved something more than mere discussion. of preliminaries for the coming conference at Niagara Falls. It was made plain. however. after the White House conference that nothing had occurred which would act as an obstacle to the continuation of the progress of the negotiations.
 Associate Justice Joseph P. Lamar of the United States supreme court, Frederick w. Lehman of St Louis, former solicitor general will be the representatives of the United States to confer with the mediators. This became known from authoritative source tonight During the day Jus flee Lamar had a long talk with the president and later he and MT. Leh- mann conferred
 4 development of the day that served to relieve anxiety was news of the release of the four newspaper corre- spondents arrested at Mexico City Walter C. Whiffen of the Associated Press. Richard Harding Davis of the New York Times, Medill Mccormick of the London Times and A. J Sutton of the Washington Post Word of the re- lease reached the state department through Brazilian Minister Oliviera. at Mexico City. and despatches came also to the British, Spanish and Brazilian ambassadors each of whom had act ed promptly and energetically in be- half of the American newSpa perr1en
 The Spanish ambassador Senor Ri- ano, who represents Mexico in the United States, telegrap phed direct to the Mexican minister of affairs and received reply from Senor Ruiz that the necessary steps had been taken to nberate the correspondents. The Bra lillian minister. being one of the me dfstors. had much influence in bring ing about their prompt release. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice. the British ambas- sador, acted through Sir Lionel Card 0n.
 The despatches to the amba ssadors etateo that Messrs Mccormick and Davis had left by refugee train for Vera Cruz yesterday, and Messrs Whdhen and Sutton would leave today n was said that the correspondents had asked for permits to enter the Mexican federal lines. but without waiting so receive the permits had taken the chance of going to Mexico City The despatch to the state de- rertment adds:
 Nothing extraordinary in the Amer fran colony"
 The rnedfetors were much gratif1Ad frsf the American cores pondents rad been promptly freed being anxious to prevent any untowsrd incident from hinde<ing their mediation plans
 The war end navy departments showed more than their usual Sunday activity. but no important orders were issued from either branch. Secretary Garrison and Major General Wother- spoon, chief of staff, were at their deslxs for several hours conferring over the precautionary military move menxs now being matured.