The Sentinel=record., 1914-05-08
REPORT FROM GENERAL FUN SToN CAUSES HURRIED CON-
 FERENCE OF ARMY HEADS.
FALL OF HUERTA IS NEAR
And it is Believed the U. s. Army Will Be Called Upon to Preserve Order and Rescue Foreigners Who Still Remain in That Country.

Washington, May 7.-Upon re-
 ceiVng long cipher cabIegrsm
 from General Funston at Vera
 Cruz tonight, Secretary Garrison
 called into conference at the war
 department Major General Woth-
 erspoon, chief of staff, and the
 entire general staff of the army.
 No intmation as to the nature of
 the dispatch was made public.
 The conference lasted until
 nearly midnight, and when Sec
 retary Garrison finally left his
 office he said there would be no
 announcement tonight. He and
 the army officers wore grave
 faces and it was no secret that
 news of importance had been re-
 ceiVed.
 Later Secretary Garrison said Gen eral Funston had transmitted infor- nation refugees had brought from Mexico City as to conditions in the Mexican capital. The secretary de- clined to comment on them. He said, however, that no aggressive movement by the American forces had been ordered.
 1t was understood that the refu- gees from Mexico City mad informed General Funston of the critical aspect of affairs in the Huerta regime; that a collapse might be expected mo- mentariy and that conditions of an- archy might ensue.
 The purpose of General Funston in making known these reports to the war department was believed to ad- wise the Washington administration of the possibilities that might de- velop from a fall of Huerta in order that if the American army is com pelled to rescue foreigners or restore order it may be fully equipped for such an expedition.
 Though not officially stated, it is known that high officials of the war department are anxious to place at Vera Cruz or on transports within striking distance a large enough force, perhaps 50,000 or 60,000 men. to make an expedition to Mexico City if it becomes necessary.
 Officials of the war department are known to believe that if an ad- vance on Mexico City is ordered 1t will be necessary to guard every mile of the railroad as the army moves forward, and that large force would show the natives the futility of resistance, whereas divi- sion of 15,000 men might be subject to several attacks along the route with possibly big losses.
 American army officers also regard the situation at Vera Cruz as likely to become desperate in the event that anarchy breaks out in Mexico City or the forces of General Maas should make an attack on. their own initiative irrespective of the Huerta governments promise of suspen- sion of hostilities against the United States.
 "A large number of bluejackets could be landed to reinforce the 1000 troops and marines in Vera Cruz but to hold the positions outside Vera Cruz up to the water works mora in- fsntry is believed to be required by General Funston. There have been persistent reports that he has asked for more men, but the war depart ment has not made an announcement on the subject.
 In view of the progress of media ton, army officers are anxious not to make any move that might embarass the negotiations and yet they are de- sirous of being prepared for any eventuality.
 It is considered likely that at to- morrows cabinet meeting the entire situation will be discussed, though the president and Secretary Bryan are believed to be firmly set against any military activity now unless crisis develops in Mexico City beyond control of the authorities there and foreigners become endangered.