Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1914-05-13
ne Mountainous Route From Vera Cruz to the Mexican Capital

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sisted about the capital that a8clash
had come between the American forces
at Vera Cruz and the Mexicans. The
war department declined to comment
on this report. ESgl
Although not officially announced, 1t
is known that the high officials OF the
war department are eager to place at
Vera Cruz or on transports within
striking distance a large enough force,
perhaps SO, 900 or 10000 men, to make
an expedition to Mexico City II It be-
comes necessary. 5s5tal,.3 q.
# Of1cials Of the war department be
slieve that il an advance on Mexico l
City is ordered it will be necessary to
guard every mile OF the railroad as the
army moves forward and that large
force would show the natives the fu'
tility OF resistance, whereas division vision
Of $4,000 men might be subject to at
itacks along the route.
I$75 s Fear for Vera Cruz.
The American army officers regard
the situation at Vera Cruz as likely TO
become desperate if anarchy breaks
out in Mexico City, or if the forces OF
General Mas should make an attack
on their own initiative, irrespe Give OF
the Huerta governments promise OF y I! q
suspension Of hostilities against the
United States. 4 5,s3.ss q
Free Hand for Funston.
Washington, May Orders have
gone from the war department to Cen
5eral Funston, authorizing him to ex'
tend his lines about Vera Cruz as far
as in his Judgment it Is necessary"
This, it was explained, gives the
American commando virtually free
hand in dealing with the situation at
Vera Cruz, and 1t was said the Amer
lean lines would be extended at once
and heavy Notifications thrown sup.
General Funston reported to the
war department that he had no defn-
tie information regarding movements
OF Mexican troops, and said he thought
1t probable that such conc entration as
the Mexican forces had made was
only for the purpose of defending the
lines Of railroads to Mexico City in
case the United States troops should
advance. 4 Il "a 81
Mexican natives reported that the
track OF the Interoceanic railroad was
being torn up g;s
Proceed Without carranza. AZ
: & .1.l o.
The South American ENJOYS seek
Ing to mediate In the Mexican crisis,
Ambassador de Cana OF Brazil, with
Ministers Naon \, of Argentina IL and
Suarez Of Chile, called at the state
department and went into conference
with Secretary Bryan.
$s After short sessi ion with the sec.
rotary one or the mediators announced
that they had decided to proceed with
out Carranza. The possibility that the
attitude Of the chief Of the constitu-
.tionalists was merely temporary was
considered doubtful by the media
tors. sd w NJ
The mediators are perfecting plans
for removal Of the conference to
Niagara Falls, Ont, May IS. -ele-
grams were sent to a leading hotel
there, now closed, asking If its OPEN
ing would be advanced to accommo-
date them. II this is arranged the
headquarters will be H established
there; otherwise at another hotel or
private cottage, for which negotiations
are under way
Artillery Attack 10 Feared. 5
N Vera Cruz, Mex, May The posi-
bility Of an attack on the American
outposts here by the combined federal
forces under Gen. Rubio Navarrete
and Gen. Gustavo Mas, which are
reported to be mobilizing near Jamapa
and Soledad with some field pieces, is
the chief element in the situation
which might, in the opinion Of army
officers, interrupt the period of mill
tary inactivity. 3sss4 !. \ u &
It is pointed out that an artillery at
tack directed from Jamapa to destroy
the waterworks at Ell TEAR is the
most favorable plan open to the Mex
leans, and Brigadier General Funston
is preparing to repel any such at
tempt. 3a5 II
s,.5 Two Bridges Blown Up. SIS . II
In addition to the field guns land
ed from the war vessels, "a powerful
pieces OF marine artillery have been
placed in position for defense.
The latest information received here
confirms earlier reports of the destruc-
ton Of the San Francisco bridge and
also of a smaller one nearer Vera
Cruz. The abutments were dynamit-
ed and the structure let into the river.
One Of the, bridges was destroyed by
Mexican irregulars. So far as is
known the Soledad bridge is un-
harmed, but is supposed to be mined.
Every precaution is being taken by
the military authorities here.
/ No Change at Tampico. .
The recent submission said to have
been made to Washington of the
names of prominent Mexicans to form
a council of notables, headed by. Luis
Mehdez, to take over the government
in case of the departure Of Huerta is
believed here to have been founded
on secret information regarding the
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