Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-08
GEN. HUERTA VOICES
APR0TEST T0U.S.
Regards Occupation Of Vera
Cruz by Army a Violation
of ArmistiCe.
MEDIATORS SEEKING TO
ALTER DICTATOR'S VIEW
Failure May Render Virtually Use
less Their Further Efforts to
Solve Difficulties.

Huerta has served notice on the United
States government through the three
South American ENJOYS who are trying
to arrange a program for peace mediation
that he considers the occupation of Vera
CRUZ by a United States army a violation
of the armistice.
Asked as TO the details of the mediatinE
envoys note. Secretary Bryan said: 1t
simply sets forth what Huerta says. a
reply to the note will be made.
This protest was made known to the
President last night during the wedding
reception at the White House. 1t was
brought to the attention of the cabinet
today coincidently with a plan of the
War Department at once to strengthen
Gen. Funston's army of occupation suf-
ficient TO meet any emergency.
Ambassador da Cana of Brazil and
Ministers Naon of Argentina and Suarez
of Chile We're astir early. None of the
mediators would discuss Huerta' s protest,
forwarded through Acting Minister of
Foreign Relations Esteva Ruiz. and
later confirmed here by Secretary Bryan,
No Reply to Huerta Formulated.
meeting he said that no reply had yet
cation, forwarded by the mediators, re-
lating to the armistice. In the Huerta
message. he stated, question was raised
as to the sending of the army to take
the place of naval forces at Vera Cruz.
Asked if the unusual activity of the
War Department since the receipt of
Gen. Funston's cipher dispatch last night
signified any change OF policy on the
part of the United States toward Mexico,
Mr.. Bryan said that he could not discuss
the affairs of the War Department.
In War Departments Hands.
Other member on leaving the meet
ing said that it was understood that
the entire question of dealing with the
situation at Vera Cruz had been left in
This followed the position taken by
consideration of the Mexican situation
that the United States was fully
within its rights in any movement to
reinforce the troops now in Vera Cruz
to any extent deemed necessary. de-
spite the armistice attendant upon the
mediation negotiations. 1t was pointed
out that the armistice would not
operate against the concentration OF
troops on terrftor! ALREADY occupied
by the United States.
Secretary Garrison said that the in
formation coming to the War Depart
ment from Mexico City was through
refugee sources and that no official or
diplomatic correspondence had been re-
ceived bearing out the refugee reports.
Charge O'Shaughnessy conferred with
Secretary to the President. MIR. Tum-
ulty. He will not see President Wilson
for a day or two.
Huerta Thanks Mediators-
The Mexican foreign office made public
note of thanks to the mediators as
follows:
The Mexican government. in view of
the mediators' attitude in the cases of the
Carranzista refusal to suspend hostilities
and the new landing of American troops
and war material in Vera Cruz. is much
obliged for the prudence, impartiality
and good willingness of the mediators." T"
1t was authoritatively learned from a
source close to the mediators that they
are of the opinion they will be able to
persuade Gen. Huerta that the United
States has not been violating, in spirit
at least the armistice which had been
agreed upon Otherwise a stumbling
block would be placed in their way which
might render virtually useless their fur
ther efforts at mediation.
The note from Gen Huerta alleging
violation by the United States of the
armistice il was ascertaned. reached the
mediators who are working in the ut
most possible secrecy. day before yes
terday and was presented by them at
once to Secretary Bryan.
Several dispatches from diplomats in
Mexico City have been received. not
throwing any further light on Huerta' $
position, or mentioning disturbances of
Importance. Communication with Mex
leo is slow and uncertain, some dis
patches being three days en- route.
No Formal Armistice Yet.
Oficials point out that neither the
United States nor Gen. Huerta has Yet
entered into any formal armistice. What
occurred was this: The mediators sue-
gested that hostilities should be suspend
ed during the period of negotiations. To
this Secretary Bryan replied that il was
assumed there would be a suspension
of hostilities. except to repel attack. Cen
Huertas answer was understood to be an
but the exact terms have not
been given out. Mr.. Bryan has several
times pointed out that this did not con-
stitute a formal armistice, but only an
a ASSUMPTION that hostilities would be sus
pended except to resist aggression.
Article VII of The Hague convention.
of which the United States and Mexico
are signatories. provides specifically on
troop movement pending mediation. as
follows:
"Article VII. The acceptance of media
ton cannot. unless there be an agree
ment to the contrary, have the effect of
delaying or hindering mob
ilization or other measures. or prepara
ton for war.
..If mediation occurs after the COM
of hostiites. it causes in
terruption to the military operation in
progress, unless there be an agreement
TO the contrary.
To what extent the present suspension
at Vera Cruz operates under these rules
appears. therefore. to depend largely on
the construction of the informal under
standing that it was assumed hostilities
would be suspended, except TO repel at
tack.
Opinion of Leading Authority.
Leading authorities on international law
hold that an armistice. truce or suspen-
sion of hostilities. should be definite and
exact, and not implied. One of the lead
ing authorities. Halleck. says:
such Il general suspension of hostili-
ties can only be made by the sovereignty