The Sentinel=record., 1914-05-14

MT. NdfrlSOu also asked Geueral Funston for a further report on the details of the arrest of the five South Ameucans accused of snip. ping at Vera Cruz
 These were the chief developments in Uhe Mexican situation today. The mediators were busy preparing for their departure and Counsellor Ian sing said afterward that the status of the American representative would be unofficial as they would bear no credentials and would have no pleni- potentiary powers. All steps would be referred for final decision to the president and secretary of state. Suggestions will not be made, Mr. Lansing explained, by any of the parties to the mediation, all proposals coming from the mediators, but the representatives were free to present information pertinent to the discus sion. He said the modiators met first with the representatives of one side and then with the other.
 The practical certainty that the consttutionaists would be in control of Tampico made it apparent today that the United States soon would be in a position 10 bring about return of normal conditions in the oil dis trict Negotiations with the const- tutionalists to permit foreign em- ployes to return to the wells will be begun as soon as news of the occu. patton of tue district is received.
 Another phase of the situation which produced much discussion in executive quarters was the question of ammunition shipments destined for Tampico, when the constitution. alists are in control.
 Cousttutonalists here say that after the battles of TampicO and Sal tillo, now being fought, the rebels will have little ammunition left with which to continue the fight against Iluerta. With a practical embargo on the importation of munitions of war across uhe American border in effect the rebels believe their only chance of getting additional ammuni- tion will he from abroad. On the other hand. should the constitutional ists be allowed 10 import ammunition through Tampico some officials point out that Huertq probably would protest that the holding up of ship ments of arms for him at Vera Cruz was unjust
 The position Of the American gov ernment has been that it held the customs house at Vera Cruz as ain act of reprisal and when q shipment of arms was en route to Puerto Mex leo recently no attempt was made to prevent its landing, though in q way unexplained the German ship carry ing the munitions decided not to land it's cargo.
 News of fighting at Tampico came in brief dispatches to the navy de- partment. First, Rear Admiral Mayo reported firing since a. m, continu ing until after noon. He reported that the federals lacked ammunition and could not hold out. The MeXi- can federal gunboats took a position far up the river part of the day but at D. m. withdrew to the outer har- bor Their purpose was not eX- plained but the inference was that they were getting out of range of the rebel artillery. Shortly afterward reports came from Admiral Mayo that the federal evacuation had begun.
 The taking of Tampco, the port next in importance to Vera Cruz, will raise many interesting questions, as the constitutionalists hitherto have held no seaport. It is possible the federal gunboats may seek to prevent arms and ammunitions and supplies from being landed at Tam pico but such an interference with international commerce might not be tolerated by the big foreign ships lying there and complications are possible. With success at Tampico the constitutionalists will press hard for possession of Saltillo and San Luis Potosi Fighting on the west coast today was desultory, according to meager reports. The federals still were occupying the city of Topic. Trains were running between Guada- lajara and Mexico City but the con stitutionalists were threatening to cut the line again.
 The Lobos Island incident still is giving some concern to the navy de- partment. Secretary Daniels today said he intended to await arrival of detailed reports from Admiral Badger before undertaking to pass upon the conduct of Lieutenant Commander Jeffers of the destroyer Tanning in giving the Mexican lighthouse keeper certificate to the effect that he had been dspossessed by force. The sec retary stated that the young officer had acted without instructions from the commander-in-chief but he was not sure whether the action was not entirely proper under the cireum- ctanrps