The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-04-29
WARSHIPS BOMBARD
MEXICAN SEAPORT

: CRUL III BACk UP TARS
!: BOTH AMBASSADORS QUIT
Passports Are Given to Them by Re
spectiye Governments at the Initia
tive Of Huerta-Brazil Has Beer
Asked to Look After American In
terests-Wilson Warns Carranza.
United States tro1.,s moved Thurs
day night to reinforce the American
navy at Vera Cruz; the embargo OF
arms into Mexico was formally re
stored, and troops were ordered tx
the Mexican border, primarily to re
lieve uneasiness among border resi-
dents, but also as precautlor
against hostile N ilitary operation:
along the international line.
Secretary Garrison announced thai
a brigade of infantry and some artil,
lery, under Brig. Gen. Frederick Fon'
ston, had been ordered to embark on
the four army transports at Galveston
for Vera Cruz, to support the expedi,
tionary forces of marines and blue
Jackets there. The chance that Gen
Mas, the Federal general, might
make a return attack on Vera Cruz
with reinforcements, and the possible
necessity of a forward movement to-
ward Mexico City to protect fleeing
Americans and the Vera Cruz railroad
were underlying reasons for the mil
itary movement.
The restoration Of the embargo on
arms was officially announced after
the pronouncement of Gen. Carranza,
the Constitutionalist chief, that he re-
garded the seizure of Vera Cruz as a
violation of the Mexican sovereignty,
had been considered by the admins
tration. While Mexican Constitu-
tionalists protested that Carranza's
real attitude was friendly, the Ameri-
can government decided to take no
chances, and abruptly stopped the
shipment of all arms into Mexico.
President Wilson earlier in the day
had issued statement warning Gen.
Carranza, the Constitutionalist chief,
that the United States was dealing
now, and would continue to deal, with
those whom Huerta commands "and
those who come to his support"
No fighting Of any consequence was
reported from Vera Cruz. The Amer
lean land forces pushed their way
three miles inland to some important
breastworks to make their position
secure. Rear Admiral Fletcher and
American Consul Canada were occu-
pied most of the day in Vera Cruz
handling hundreds of American refu-
gees. British and German vessels
took off more than 1900 refugees
at Tampico and a general exodus OF
Americans from other Mexico cities
was reported.
The national capital was nervous
with excitement, while the diplomatic
relations between the Huerta govern
ment and the United States were be-
ing finally severed and the army and
navy continued to put themselves on
a war basis. Revelation Of the pur,
poses of Carranza and Huerta is be,
ing awaited before complete mill,
tary campaign is developed. The
United States intends to take no Of
fensive action for the present, pre-
pairing to hold Vera Cruz until the
situation crystalizes.
Both Nelson O'Shaughnessy, the
American charge d'affaires, and Senol
Algara, the charge d'afaires OF. the
Mexican embassy, were given thell
passports Thursday. The United
States has chosen Brazil to look after
its interests in Mexico. Where there
are no Brazilian consuls French con
suls will act for the United States.
The choice of Brazil instead o.
European powers was regarded a:
very significant. Not only has Brazil
like Argentine and Chile, refused tc
recognize the Huerta government, ou
the fact that the United States consld
cred as its friend in crisis a Soutf
/ American nation. emphasized Fan
American solidarity. In the present
case France stood ready to give 1t:
services, and the United States tooF
advantage of that readiness with
request that the American consulate:
be taken over at all points where
Brazil did not have consuls, to which
France complied.
The president, in the course Of tnt
dav, talked of the Mexican situation
frankly with his callers. He referred
TO the crisis as serious, and though
it was his duty, he said, to contine nj
announcements to facts, reserTing IN
formation about contemplated step
until plans matured.
Mr.. Wilson does not regard TN
present situation as state OF war, ant
holds that so far as his authority /
concerned, only acts Of reprisal hav
, been undertaken.
One of the presidents callers men
toned to him the statement lssue'
from Toxic of the intention OF Japal
, to remain neutral during any event
uality. Mr.. Wilson had not read O
it. but spoke Of his assumption tha
: all powers would remain neutral, n
matter what steps were taken by th
, United States. The president made
clear that no blockade had been de
! clared and that foreign government
? vould be notified before such a ste