Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-13

Washington. May 12-Expressions of confidence that mediation would be successful in avoiding war between the United States and Mexico came from several members of the cabinet today after President Wilson had discussed the whole situation with his official family.
 The president is directly hopeful He is anxious that no untoward incidents or indiscreet acts on the part of any of the forces in Mexico should de- velop to cloud the horizon when the mediation conferences begin at Mag ara Falls next Monday.
 Secretary Bryan explained at length to the three South American mediators in a conference late in the day that the lighthouse on Lobos Island had not been seized in any military sense, 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 the world s navigation. MT Bryan told the me- diatOrs also that the navy and war departments were seeking to learn the facts concerning the arrest of the five South Americans accused of ''sniping' at American forces during the landing at Vera Cruz and that report would be made probably tomorrow.
 Nelson O'Shaughnessy, charge daf- faires of the American embassy at Mexico City had his first conference with President Wilson at the White House tonight. It was understood that some indignities including the Tampico incident which led to the break with Huerta were discussed as well as some details that might have come up in the mediation conferences.
 Justice Lamar of the supreme court ef the United States and Frederick W. Lehman. former solicitor general, who will represent the United States tat the mediation conference. spent the day studying data on Mexico and official reports. familiarizing themselves gen orally with the Mexican problem
 One tense phase of the situation was relieved by news that J. R. Siliman, American vice-consul at Saltillo, had ordered released by the Huerta gov ernment.
 Consider Huerta's Protests.
 The mediators were more occupied fin considering Huerta's protests against the seizure of Lobos Island and the detention of the five South Americans than in the general subject of Mexican pacification. The media tors were confident tonight that Sil- liman would get away unharmed. Jules Jusserand. the French ambassa dor, called on Secretary Bryan to con- vey to him information from Mexico City which indicated that Consul Sil- 1iInan is still under guard in Saltillo. This preceded receipt of news. how ever. that Huerta had ordered Silli- man released.
 Reports from the Mexican govern ment to the French embassy did not specifically mention Consul Silliman, but said that "all members of the American consul at Saltillo are safe" The desPatches from the French charge fin Mexico said that ali was quiet in Mexico City
 Vera Cruz Safe from Attack.
 From military point of view the outstanding feature of the day was the confident report from General Funston on the situa ton at Vera Cruz. No attack in the city is apprehended the general said and in any event the American position could not be taken by force. It became known today that President Wilson's sanction for the war department activities extends merely to preparations for emergen- cies. Secretary Garrison has been given permission to charter several transports and have big forces of troops in readiness to reinforce Gen. eral Funston. but orders for their movement are being withheld pending developments.
 Admiral Mayo reported today that artillery firing had been in progress at Tampico from 9 o'clock this morn ing. Whether federals or constitution alists were gaining was not stated. The British government whose nation als are heavily interested at Tampico, during the day, ordered the cruiser Bristol to reinforce the British squad ron at Tampico.
 From the Pacific coast directly south of the city of Mexico came a report that desultory fighting continued at Mazatlan between General Obregon's constitutionalists and the federal gar rison.
 FederaIs Abandon Garrison.
 The federal garrison at San Bias, n al v11iIoC further had evacuated the town, it was re- ported. The garrison moved, it was declared, in the direction of Mexico City the inference being given that Huerta was drawing available troops to assist him in maintaining himself fin the capital. Acapulco, a Pacific coast port directly south of the City or Mexico. was the scene of fighting between federal garrison understood 10 ila ve beer about 400 strong and roy ing bands of Zapatista adherents whose field of operations covers the Inter yenin. mountainous region.
 The alarm evoked here bN- the move ment of Zafsta in the direction of Mexico City and his ferociouS threats against inba Ditants of the capital con tinusd te aoate i'll the absence of con- frnlatory news from Mexico City. DeS- patches received in diplomatic quar- ters d1riiIe the day made no mention either of Zapata or of the military or mob uprising against Huerta which had been reported imminent, and one message received from a legation at Mexico City in response to q direct inoufry stated explicitly that no inn niedisie danger in either direction was apErehended
 Secretary Bryan's visit to the me- 6istc..S to explain the LoDes Island incident vas the chief development on tilf dinlomatie side of the situation here His statement was based on of 1ctal reports from Rear Admiral Bad following statement issued by the aaEy department:
 Fhef facts giving the details re-