The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-17
HUERTA, DEFIANT,
BRINGING ABOUT
GRAVE SITUATION
Mexican Dictator Is De-
llberately fastening
international Crisis.
SEEKS TO FORCE
HIS RECOGNITION
Seizure of American Arms and
Flat Refusal to Pay for Intern
cd Prisoners Cause Wilson
and Cabinet to Take Up
Question of Definite
Action.
Isrecial to Tho T.rnospispatch. ]

Washington, March lG.-Two events
transpiring within twcnty-four hours
of each other havo caused president.
Wilson and his Cabinet TO take up the
whole McNicnn situation to decide
finally what this country shall do.
Iiucrta's seizure OF American arms
intended for the consulate at Mexico
CITY ana his fiat announcement to
Charge o'Shaughncssy have created a
serious. II not alarming, Situation.
The state Department this afternoon
received tho oIninous announcements
from RearAdTniral Fletcher In ctarge
81 The American fleet, that tile Mexican
dictator Is strengthening the shore de-
ienses al Vera Cruz. ana has summoned
his gunboats 10 guard the water front
This is accepted as expressing Hu-
crta's confidence that tho United state.
must either recognize him or Intervene.
u was suggested that the P.ovis!ona>
President might also have tn. idea
that sorne other foreign power intends
10 invade his country to protect her
citizens.
May Rcopcn Negotiations.
Fearful los, another country shoulc
take the Initiative IN tho Mo~icam
cinbroglto, the President. Il is reported.
IS seriously considering ;hc wisdom OF
'"openins nct!Nc diplomatic negotia-
uous with Huorta.
rrcsiden, Wilson'S course probably
VIII be begun through John Lind. hts
confidential agent now At Vera Cruz.
Attention Was called to-day to tho fact
that President Wilson hud never closed
the door to renewed negotiations with
ilucrtu In his letter sent by John Lind.
but has specifically said:
Can Mexico give tn. civilized world
satisfactory reason FOR rejecting our
good fellowship! II Mexico can sug-
scst any better way in which 10 show
our friendship, serve tho people Of
Mexico, and meet our international
obligations. wc arc more than willing
to consider the suggestion"
Recognition Is opposed by President
Wilson, but ia some quarters II is be-
ius urged as a result OF the reply OF
Lnmboa, Hucrtaa Secretary OF For
oign Agairs In his letter TO Lind.
Gamboa suggested tlni the United
Etatcs send and receive .tinba assadors.
iiucrtas po!nI-blaut refusal to pay
FOR the Federal soldiers cared for by
the United states caused much worry
Mt the state Department to-day. Oli-
Gals said that the dictator has taken n
high and strong ground" against the
action OF the United states in holding
his soldiers !ittcrncd at Fort Bliss with
out recognizing him.
His Purpose Deliberate.
His action in increasing tho fo-tin-
cations at Vera Cruz. where tho FIRST at
tack would be made IN case Of inter
vcution. is believed 10y some to have
been done with the deliberate purpose
of nSgravating an already critical sit
treat with him.
Under present conditions he could re-
huf any messenger whom tho Prcsi-
dent might send TO him unonicially.
Thus the present policy leaves the
United states without the right TO dc
mand of him why ne is making military
preparations at Vera Cruz
War Department officials to-day
declared that Vera cruz Is now in no
danger of a coustliutionalist attack.
and If Iiuerta feared nn attack from
the inside, he would hardly strengthen
his cutor fortiiications and summon
his cunboats.
Some diplomats to-day urged that Il
change in the attitude or the admin
istration towards Hucrta could be at
trihutcd in part to two causes:
First, tho rupture with Carranza.
when he declined to permit this coun-
try to deal with him regarding the
deaths of other foreigners than Ameri-
cans.
Second. the views expressed by Sir
Lionel Garden. who called on the Prcsi-
ucnt to tell him why England thought
iiuertas recognition advisable.
These two causes and IIucrta's man
ler OF forcing the Mexican crisis, il is
believed, convinced the President OF
the futilty or inaction.
CnrrnnHn Complexities Matters.
While the Mexican dictator has been
HgeravatinE matters at Vera Cruz.
Carran%a. at Tampico. has alao com
Plicated matters according to reports
which have reached the Navy Depart-
ment
With battle at Tosrcon cXDectcd
hourly, Admiral Mayo, I'm charge Of the
american squadron at Tampico. has
started for the city in his gunboat,
dolphin. He will request Carranza'.;
chiei officer not to fire upon Il certain
section of the beieaguered city, which
he w,ll mark off.
Fears are entertained that the Con
stitutionalists Will refuse 10 deal with
him solely, but will insist that Sir
Christopher Craddock be called into
consultation
The Constitutionalist commander is
now twenty miles from Tampico The
fedcral garrison numbers 5000 men,
New Issue Completed.
lSpecial to The Timcs-DIapatch
e,