The Prescott daily news., 1914-05-13
CABINET MEMBERS
ENTERTAIN HOPE
Expressions of Confidence that Media
tiOn Will Avert War Came
From Several Members.
Situation Discussed.

VIII save war between the United
States and Mexico came from several
members of the cabinet today after
President Wilson had discussed the
whole Mexican situation with the Off
cial family. The president is decided
ly hopeful and he is anxious that no
untoward incident or indiscretion on
the part of any of the forces in Mexi-
co should develop to cloud the horizon
of the mediation conference which
begins at Niagara Falls Monday.
Secretary Bryan in a conference
late in the day explained at length to
the South American Mediators that
the lighthouse on Lobos Island had not
been seized in any military sense and
that the keepers were free to come
and go but that the American Navy
had undertaken to keep the lights
burning as a protection to navaga-
ton. Mr.. Bryan told the mediators
also that the navy and war depart
ments are seeking to learn the facts
concerning the arrest of the five
South Americans accused of "sniping"
at American soldiers during the
landing at Vera Cruz and that
report would probably be made tomor-
row.
Nelson O'Shaughnessy conferred
with President Wilson at the White
House tonight, 1t was the first talk
with the President since his arrival
from Mexico City. Justice Lamar of
the supreme court and Fred w. Leh-
man, former solicitor general, who
have been named as the American
representatives at the mediation con-
ference, spent the day studying data
on Mexico and official reports famil-
iarizing themselves generally with
the Mexican problem. One tense
phase of the situation was relieved
by the news that John r. Silliman,
American vice counsel at Saltillo, has
been ordered released by the Huerta
government
The mediators were more occupi-
ed in consideration of the protests
made by Hperta against the seizure
OF Lobos Island and the detention of
five South Americans than in the
general subject of Mexican pacifica-
ton The mediators have had some
misgivings about Silliman but were
confident tonight that he would get
away unharmed. Reports from the
Mexican government to the French
embassy did not specifically mention
Silliman but said that all members of
the American consulate in Saltillo
are safe The last dispatch from the
French charge in Mexico City said all
is quiet there.
From a military point of view the
outstanding feature of the day was
confidential report from General
Funston on the situation at Vera Cruz
No attack on the city is apprehended
the general said the federal forces
having given no sign of intention to
attack the outlying position at the
waterworks. Movement of troops in
this direction have not been noticed.
General Funston has arranged his
lines and posted sentries along the
aqueduct to prevent raiders from cutt-
ing it. 1t became known that Presi-
dent Wilson's sanction to the war de-
partment activities extended merely
to preparation for possible war emer-
gencies.
Tampico was under bombardment
during the entire day. Admiral Mayo
commanding the American ships lying
off that port reported that artillery
fire had been in progress since 8
o'clock this morning, but whether the
federals or rebels were gaining it is
not stated. The British government,
whose national are heavily interested
at Tampico, during the day ordered
another warship to reinforce the Brit
ish squadron in Mexican waters. The
crusier Bristol received sailing orders
for Tampico. The ship carries crew
of nearly 400 men and her light draft
will permit her to run up the Panuco
river to Tampico and if necessary land
men to protect British oil wells. A
small squad of marines from the Hol-
land crusier Kortenaer is ashore at
the big Holland owned well which at
last reports was in operation under its
Holland operatives.
From the Pacific coast came a re-