The Washington herald., 1914-04-12
Situation Most Serious

| situation Most serious.
At no time since the inception OF the
present Mexican troubles have Washing
ton officials been more apprehensiye re-
gardlpg its effects upon the United States
than at present
There are at least two. and possibly
three. black clouds on the horizon which
must be dispelIed before Washington will
feel free to draw an easy breath. Just
cow 1t is feared that any one Of them may
at any moment burst in such way as
to bring the deluge and force drastic
and forceful action in Mexico. The fac.
tors which are causing great apprehen-
sion are:
1 Arrest Causes Anxiety.
i The reckless character of Villas acts
n expelling Spaniards from Northern
Mexico by the hundreds. and confiscating
their properties, while the State Depart
ments representations in the matter are
either ignored by carranza or are met
with a refusal Of compliance with Wash
Ington's requests.
The destruction OF foreign property at
Tampico, as the result of the fighting
there between federals and rebels. and
despite the warnings of Admiral Mayo.
the American naval commander at that
point.
! The arrest of a paymaster and several
marines OF the United States navy by
federal officers at TampIco. and Admiral
Mayo's demand for not only an apology.
but the firing of a salute of twenty-one
guns to the American colors.
May Pass without Harm.
| In the first two of these phaseSOf the
Mexican situation. which make it now
so portentious for the United States, this
government is involved with the govern
ments OF Europe. In the last. only the
United States and Mexico are concerned,
and the present indications are that this
particular incident will be safely passed
| over without any conflict.
| Probably the most serious Is the COM
plications ensuing with Spain as the re-
| suit of the expulsion of Spaniards from
TOrreon by Villa. 1t Vas learned yes
| terday that the Spanish government at
| Madrid has taken up this matter di-
| rectly with Ambassador willard. at that
! capital. and is beseeching the United
States to act in behalf OF its subjects
| While Secretary Bryan said yesterday
| that he was not advised of any fresh
representations, unofficially reported, |
but that he was aware that the Spanish
government had taken the matter upi
with Ambassador Willard.
Spain has objected vigorously to the
-
erless to act with CarranZa in her own
interests. she has repeatedly urged ac-
ton upon the United States. 1t is known
that the total failure of the State De-
partment's representations to bring about |
| any satisfactory results has created an
| unpleasant impression in Madrid. This
| has been evidenced by the Spanish re-
quest to the British naval commander
at Tampico to look after Spanish inter- |
ests at that point, releasing the United
| States from this service at the only point
where Spain had any alternative other
| than the United States.
Turn Down by Rebels.
Carranza turned Mr. Bryan down fatty |
| on his first protest against the expuI- |
| sion of Spaniards from Torreon. and re- |
| fused to interfere with Villa. Mr. Bryan
has since asked Carranza not to tolerate
general policy of expelIinG Spaniards |
wherever found by the rebel leaders in
Mexico. To these representations Car
! rama has made no reply. There is no |
| hope of obtaining any real satisfaction
| from him. in the opinion of the well in |
| formed here. at least not until the United !
States government shows some DISPOSE |
! tion TO use more than words.
Chaos In Torrcon.
Advices to the State Department yes
continuing the expulsion OF Spaniards |
from Torreon district, and that the prup- |
critics of the 6l2 already deported have |
been confiscated. 1t is further reported |
that conditions in the Torreon district |
are chaotic. due to the lack of organizs-
tion of a regular government. and the |
general fear of what Villa may do next |
In the face of his order of deportation |
and confiscatiOn Villa has announced that
the life and property Of all foreigners Will
be respected.
The situation is further complicated
by the fact that authoritative advices
have been received to the effect that
desperate fighting is in progress between
federals and rebels near San Pedro. The
Mexican Embassy received a report yes
to-day that the forces OF Gems. VeIasco,
Moure, and Mass have effected a junction
at San Pedro and are about 10 attack
Torreon.
Silence from Tampico.
Not a word was received here yester-
day as to the situation at Tampico It
IS not known whether the destruction
of the foreign-Owned oil properties is con-
tinuhg, or whether the federal comman-
der complied with Admiral Mayo's de-
mand for a salute OF twenty-one guns
to the United States flag. in reparation
Tor the arrest OF paymastcr and marines
last Thursday
Authorities here yesterday afternoon
seemed disposed TO think that Huerta's
statement to Charge OShaughnessy
made public last night in Mexico City,
relieved the situation considerably. They
showed a strong conviction that Admiral
Mayo had withdrawn his demand for a
salute as the result of Huertas apology
and promise Of an investigation and pun
ishment of the irresponsible officials who
erred SO gravely.
II developed that the State Department
knew of the incident yesterday, but fear
ed to make the facts public until they