Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-05-04
AMERICAN FORCES
READY FOR ATTACK
!. OF GENERAL MAS
Mexicans Near Vera Cruz Are
Guarding Roads Into Mex
leo City.
GUNS OF FLEET ARE
TRAINED ON HILLS
Huerta Hoped for Invasion of
u. S. Troops to Unite
Factions.

Vera Cruz, May Alive thousand
Mexican federals were eneamped 26
miles from Vera Cruz today, guarding
both routes to Mexico City. Besides
5000 federals at Soladad where Cen
eral Mas is located, there are 5000
federals at Jalapa and 900 more at
Palma
In case of a federal attack on Vera
Cruz, General Funston could muster a
force of 1000 men, including marines
and bluejaekets. The bluejackets are
ready to land again within an hour if
their services are needed, and the fleet
is cleared for action and ready to shell
the sand hills back of Vera Cruz on
moment s notice.
Under canopy of flags of ali ma
tions, including the Mexican colors,
General Funston dinod with Admiral
Fletcher and other naval officers here
yesterday. The naval officers wore
white uniforms and General Funston
was dressed in khakhi suit.
The flags on all American and
foreign warship1 were lowered to half
mast as the Montana sailed last night
with the bodies of the American
marines and bluejackets killed in the
occupation of Vera Cruz.
Huerta Ready to Fly.
That opposition to the dictator has
reached point among the people of
his capital where he is personally in
serious danger was known positively
From Vera Cruz he had counted on the
Americans to march promptly on
Mexico City, and this, he felt sure,
would unite all Mexican factions
against him. BY lingering in Vera
Cruz the enemy upset all his plans.
According to reliable information to-
day matters have reached a pass at
which the president realizes that his
position reached a pass at which the
president realizes that his position is
hopeless.
1t was said that the best he is
figuring on now is to get safely out of
Mexico, and that he can see no way
of doing it but by making it impossible
for the Americans to avoid capturing
him.
With this end in view it was the con-
census of opinion among the best
judges that he would force an engage
ment as speedily as possible.
The news also leaked out from Mex
leo City that Foreign Minister Rojas
resigned Friday night because Arch
bishop Mora, who had undertaken to
persuade the dictator to retire, had
failed in his mission. 1t was said
Huerta was exceedingly angry at Rojas
and the latter's friends feared seri-
Ously for his safety.
Huerta Still Healthy.
Mexico City, May 4.-Four hundred
more American refugees were scheduled
to leave here today for Puerto, where
it was expected Admiral badger would
have ships to take them on board.
The Brazilian minister, meeting
President Huerta casually Sunday,
mentioned that the party was starting.
"When 1 referred to it." said the
minister, "the president offered every
facility. He was particularly inter
ested in the women's and children's
comfort and promised to furnish sleep
ing cars
Reports that the presidents health
is breaking and that he is on the verge
of collapse are untrue. He is active,
alert and in close touch with develop
ments. In his habits he has made no
change.
Officials here are reticent concerning
mediation. "ARy proposal, " said
Minister of the Interior Alcocer, "re-
ceived through the proper channels
will be considered and decided on its
merits"
1t was learned today that the rebel
chieftains Lechuga and Cabanzo have
surrendered to President Huerta.
No further details had been received
today of the loss Of the Pacific Rail
way company's steamship Luella,
which, according to a dispatch from
Mazanillo last night, had been blown
up there by a mine planted in the
harbor for American war vessels. 1t
was still uncertain whether lives were
lost.
Howard Ready to Fire.
San Diego, Cal, May 4.-Tbe follow
ing wireless message from Charles H.
Raymond, United Press correspondent
with the Pacific fleet in Mexican
waters, was sent here today by the
cruiser California.
"The pier at Manzanillo has been
burned. Refugees are leaving that
Port by hundreds. Local papers state
that Admiral Howard will give As
hours notice before opening fire.
can editorial in Mazatlan daily
newspaper states that the rebels will