The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-04-22
! 4. Americans
(coyrIXuEp f 4: &. r Z d oyr. }

All = .assssv 7lS6f 80 sIIji lsI. !
III CONTINUED FROM FACE oSE.)
The capture OF the customs house
4 ht Vera Cruz was Sordereak by the
American government to prevent the
big shipment OF ammunition and ma
chine guns from getting into Huer-
ta's hands. =
The orders did not stipulate when
Admiral Fletcher should take the
port, but simply left it to his dis:
sretion us when to best prevent HUI
erta from getting 100000; rounds
Of ammunition and 200 field gins
from a German steamer about to ar;
rive.
Secretary Bryan had a conference
yesterday afternoon with the G erman
ambassador, the later saying he had
no information regarding German
vessel carrying war munitions to
Huerta.
AS Il result of the anxiety dis
played by the President It became
evident that a number Of serious
Questions had arisen in addition to
chat of preventing the German arm
shipment from reaching Huerta. "a
source very close to the President
said the actual situation at Vera
Cruz was this:
"Hecause Congress has not acted
:he President has been unable to
order enforcement of a blockade.
Therefore, Fletcher must act on his
avn initiative. II tits true-as We
believe 1t is-that the shipment has
1ot yet reached Vera Cruz, Fletcher;
ioes not have to do anything. IL
lle shipment has arrived at Vera
truz; then he must decide Just when
i will be necessary. for him to oc-
iupy the customs house in order 10
prevent the German arms and am.
Anunition passing inland from that
port n
n. Huerta Playing for Time.
Many officials declared they beliey-
ID Huerta had been playing for time
nerely TO get in the large shipment
y arms which Admiral Fletcher has
seen ordered to entNpff. As there is
40 blockade. the American forces
;sould not seize the munitions until
sfter they have. been landed.
The orders vert out tot4.drnfrsf
ISletclier at daybTeak, after PRESS
lent Wilson AND teapinet uneialstSad
5een in confer nce since 4 a m
fnFostly over tliSEtelep6one.
The orders to the admiral, It was
aid, conferred ;the s15broadests sau
ihority upon him and directing that
necessary he take the town Of
house. y ~
Administration officials pointedi
,ut that the president had annie
authority for his acton without thc,
approval of Congress and that i'm.
mediate action had been imperative
Aomentarily. officials expected dis
patches from the admiral announce,
ing that he had taken the customs
alouse, and possibly the city.
II was pointed out here by oiricisl
ais that there Is no possible way in
which the bort Of Vera Cruz can he,
alocEaded without giving notice ,ln-
Ter the rules of international war
are OF intention TO blockade. Ger
many would not permit holding nm
y one of her vessels without notice |
II a blockade. ssT;:fS,sy5I y 4 a
Mexico City Silent.
II was known here that the ships
ment which the administration is 81
9nxious to prevent reaching Huerta Il
consists of 1000, 900 rounds on am,
punition and 200 OF the latest mod
gus OF krupp rapid-fire machine guns.
Huerta, It is understood. ordered
these munitions specifically oSholdl
and defend the railway from Mexiso|
City to Vera Cruz. 80
Little official word comes tirorgi,l
from Mexico City. The Ameriean
consulate has reported the CITY ouietil
and refugees leaving for the coast
aaerta's boast that he viii protect
all Americans and other foreigners /
that remain in Mexico Is not accent.
ed here. Z : q
Navy officials were very bitter 10.
Jay over the constant reiteration
from Mexico City that lie American
Jag was not flying on the Doiphin,s
launch when the blueiactats a,,,J