The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-20
the MEXICAN SITUATION.
CONSTITUTIONAL SUCCESS
AT TAMPlCO GIVES THEM
BETTER STANDING.
American Warships Go Into the Paru-
60. ON Which Captured City Is LO-
catcd. Hut Make No Further Ac-
tiOil-Dcmands Made That Proper
~ Rights BE Respected.

Washington. May 14.-Tampico's
fall, enlarging the constitutionalists'
sphere of control and giving them "a
seaport through which munitions Of
war may be Directly imported inject
Cd into the Mexican situation today
new phases and attracted attention
Of official Washington. The last con-
ference OF the South American media
tors was held and later it was an
nounced that one Of the ENJOYS, Am
bassador DaGama, would depart to-
morrow for Niagara Falls by way of
New York. Minister Naon will leave
tomorrow night and Minister Suarez
Saturday.
Interest today centered on Tampico
and the vigorous prosecution of the
constitutionalist campaign southwark.
The American government already
has begun representations to the con-
stitutiOnalists to secure protection for
American and other foreign opera
tives returning to the oil wells; Amer
lean warships have gone up the
Panuco rver to their old stations be-
fore the town. At the mouth of the
river are the federal gunboats with
part Of the federal garrison. The
captains Of the ships have asked for
an interview with Rear Admiral
Mayo. which was ganted. but tbs pur-
pose has not been divulged.
Discussion today centered chiefly on
the question of shipping arms and
ammunition through Tampico as the
constituencies are short and wish
to avail themselves Of the first op-
portunity to replenish their stock
Arms were prevented from reaching
the constitutionalists through the en-
barge which was replaced by Pres
ident Wilson some time ago.
At Manzanillo and other west coast
ports no efforts have been made to
prevent arms reaching Huerta and the
belief was general here today that
the constitutiOnalists would have no
difficulty In importing munitions
through Tampico any quantity.
The presence Of the Huerta gun
boats in Tampico harbor after evac-
uation by the federals has led to the
conjecture that they will be used in
blockading the port. 1t Is believed
that it was with the purpose of learn
ing wheth " Admiral Mayo would re-
spect such I. blockade that the COM
manders OF the federal gunbOats asked
for conference. Naval experts here
agree that so long as the federal com
manders are able to make this block
ade really effective, it must be re-
spected by foregn shipping. The
recognition Of an effective blockade
by a belligerent does not, it is said,
involve political recognition of either
party to the strife.
The state department regards the
Lobos Island lighthouse incident as
closed.
Secretary Bryan today acquitted of
any blame Lieut.. Commander Jeffers
OF the destroyer Fam ,g, who gave
the light keeper certificate that he
had taken possession of the light 10y
force.
1t was a Mexican and not a NOrwe-
gian vessel from which shots were
fired against Americans at Vera Cruz
for which incident five South Ameri-
cans were arrested. according to /;
report from Gen. Funston to Secre-
tary Garrison today. The case under
consideration is interesting the state
department exceedingly.
The whereabouts of John II. Sill
man. the missing American vice con-
sui ut Saltillo, and Samuel Parks, the
American orderly reported executed
by federals near Vera Cruz, has also
been taken up.
The secretary OF state is devoting
much interest to the proposed impor-
tation Of arms through Tampico by
the constitutiOnalists. Sir Cecil Spring
Rice, the British ambassador. and Mr..
Van Rappard, the Dutch Minister, af-
ter a long conference at the state de-
partment expressed satisfaction over
the outcome OF the meeting. 1t is
understood that satisfactory assur.
ances had been received as to the
safety of workmen and oil tanks at
Tampico. removing for the present
danger Of foreign complications on
this score
Although Admiral Mayo has return
ed with his fleet to the Panuco river
" was made plain that he was not to
land any marines or to assert any CON
troll whatever over Tampico. IL was
said at the department that he had