The Washington times., 1914-01-10
READY FOR ATTACK
ON MEXICO CITY
Wilson Gets Report Thai Gom-
bination Q: troops Will At
teEIpt to Seize Huerta.

Information reaching President Wilson
TO the effect that constitutionalist SYM
pathizers, Zapatistas, and malcOntehts
in Huertas army were planning sud
den attack on Mexico City is believed
TO have been responsible for the recent
trip of John Lind to Pass Christian
md the extraordinary activities which
have gone on in the Navy Department
during the past few days.
It is stated here today on high au-
thorftv that the information concern
ing the plot reached the ears of Charge
O'Shaughnessy in Mexico City; that he
notified Lind at Vera Cruz, and the lat
ter. after getting in touch with Pass
Christian, was ordered by President
Wilson to meet him in an immediate
conference. Subsequently, 1t is stated,
the Navy Department was ordered 10
double its force of marines at vera
Cruz and to take other steps looking
to possible action by the United States.
Three Thousands Federals.
According to the details transmitted
to the President, it is understood, the
bandit Zapata, who has been operating
independently to the south of Mexico
City, had arranged with the constitu-
tionaIists to pounce upon the capital ct
a given signal. At the present time
there are but 1900 Federal troops guard
ing the capital Many of these are dis
contented with their pay allowance and,
tempted by the prospects of pillage. had,
il is said, agreed 10. cooperate with the
plOtters go ..-.
The plan was. to make at once for the
palace and .sieze Huerta. Charge
U'Shaughnessy and other foreign diplo-
mats acquainted with some OF the de-
tis.s of the scheme are said to have
eEuresSed the fear that the soldiers and
bandits turned loose would. be free to
indulge in a saturnalia of rapine and
pilase,- beside which the 'blow-up
which occurred in the capital at the
time of Madero's sassination would
have been mild.
Foreigners In Danger.
Fear was expressed that the lives of
foreigners would be in grave jeopardy
END that even the embassies and lega-
lions would not be respected. On these
assumptions, it is stated, this Govern
ment decided to place at the disposal of
ADMIRAL Fletcher a sufficient force of
ma ines to be sent by him to Mexico
City, If necessary. as a guard for the
foreign quarters
1t was learned this morning that Sec
retary Daniels has issued orders to
Philadelphia, to be ready to put 20 sea
within forty-eight hours after the re-
ceipt of orders. This feet consists OF
ten battIeships of the second line and
one cruiser. Ammunition is said to have
been placed on board all the ships.
Five of the most powerful dread
noughtS of the first claSs-the Wyoming,
Delaware, Utah, Florida and South Car
olina-left Hampton Roads this morn
ing to engage in winter maneuvers of
the coast of Porto Rico and Cuba. All
the ships are loaded with ammunition
and will join forces with 1000 marines
now Nen route for advance base maneu-
vers at Culebra, P. r. On the east
coast of Mexico are seven other giant
dreadnoughts ell fully manned.
Acting Secretary Of State Moore de-
clared today that of his own knowledge
he knew of no documents in the
archives Of the State Department show
ing that the Waters-PierCe oil syndicate
had financed the MaderO revolution in
ISL. II there were such papers, he
said. he did not know Of their existence.