The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-05-14

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Washington, May 1o.-Reinforced
constitutional forces at Tampico to-
day began general assault upon the
federal garrison at that besieged port,
according to reports reaching both the
state department and constitutional
representatives here. The fall of the
besieged city is expected to take place
in this attack.
The battle is reported to be the
most desperate of the present Mexican
revolution.
II also is reported that several of
the oil wells and tanks are burning
and that portion of the town is afre.
All Americans, It is said, have been
taken aboard the United States war
ships, but other foreigners are scat
tered throughout the oil-weIl district.
BY the light of blazing oil tanks,
fired by stray shots, the rebel artillery
men hurled shot after shot from 20
heavy field guns into the strongly en-
trenched positions held by Gen. Igna-
clio MoreIos zaraeosa, the federal com.
mander, in the center of the town,
sweeping the breastworks with hail
Of shrapneI in an effort to open the
way for a dash by Gen. Pablo Con-
zales' infantry.
Seven thousand constitutionaists un-
der Gen. Pedro Gonzales and Luis Ca
baIIero, are engaged.
Vera Cruz, May 11.-A report reach
ed here early this morning that Tam
pico had fallen after hard fight and
that the federaIs losses were heavy.
ngton.-President Wilson re-
Geiyed at the white house Ambassador
De Cana, Of Brazil, ranking member
of the South American mediators.
who are trying to compose the Mexi-
can trouble.
Neither the white house nor the
ambassador would make any state
ment as to the conference, but the re-
ceipt later of dispatch from Mexico
City stating that Foreign Minister
Ruiz had protested to the mediators
that several United States torpedo
boats with a transport and tender had
landed party on Lobos Island, eight
miles off the coast, and taken the
lighthouse, was believed to have been
the purpose of the ambassadors un-
usual visit to the white house.
Hold Early Conference.
The mediators had held an early
conference previous to the Ambassa-
doris call at the White House and this
meeting, on Sunday, indicated devel-
opments of more than ordinary impor-
tance. No information was obtainable
from the mediators or the White
House concerning Minister Ruiz's tel
egram But 1t was believed that re-
ply had been made.
The navy department has not made
public anything concerning the opera
tion of vessels about Lobos Island.
Admiral Howard cabled to the navy
department, that Huerta had ordered
the lighthouses on the Pacific coast
extinguished so as to impede naviga-
ton by American ships.
The same order by Huerta is re-
ported to have been made as to light
houses on the Atlantic side, so that
the reported seizure of the lighthouses
on LObos Island might be held to be a
precautionary measure to keen the
lights burning and thus protect all
shipping along the east coast, where
many British, French, Spanish and
other foreign vessels ply.
AS Precautionary Measures.
AS such precautionary measure,
the taking of the lighthouse, it is con-
tended, would be without significance
as an occupation or territorial acquisi.
tion OF the island, and therefore would
not Justify any charge of violation of
armistice.
No war munitions were landed at
ship kronzprin2essin Cecilie.
RI Adm. Badger cabled the navy de-
partment later that the vessel, now at
Vera Cruz, still had on board the ship
ment of arms and ammunition con.
signed to the Huerta government.
Associate Justice Joseph p. Lamar.
or the United States Supreme Court,
and Frederick w. Lehman, of ST,
Louis, former Solicitor General, will
be the representatives of the United
States to confer with the mediators
This became known from an authori.
tative source. During the day Justice
Lamar had long talk with the Presi.
dent, and later he and Mr.. Lehman
conferred.
Correspondents Are Released.
A development of the day that serv-
ed to relieve anxiety was news of the
release of the four newspaper CORE
spondents arrested at Mexico City
Walter Whiffen, Richard Harding Da.
Wis, Medill Mccormick, of London, and
A. j. Sutton.
Word of the release reached the
state department through the Brazil.
ian minister at Mexico City, Senior
Oliveira, and dispatches came also to
the British. Spanish and Brazilian Am.
bassadors, each Of whom had acted
promptly and energetically in behalf
Of the American newsDsDer men.