The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-05-16
Heen held by the Mexicans left for
Mexico City yesterday.
INTEREST cENTERS ON THE
REBELS WHO CONTROL TAMPICO

Washington, May 15.-While two of
the South American ENJOYS We're on
| their way today TO Niagara Falls
where they will complete arrange
mennts for peace negotiations and
with the third mediator and the
American mission preparing to leave
here tomorrow, immediate interest in
the Mexican situation centered in the
Constftutionalists' administration of
their new prize-the rort of TampiCO-
and plans for their campaign against
Saltillo and San Luis Potosi.
Reports to the navy department
early today from Rear Admiral Mayo
stated that General Gonzales, the Car
rama commander at TampiCO, had as
sured United States Consul Miller that
complete protection would be given to
American and other foreign property
about the seaport, including the i'm
mense oil interests there.
News that the federal mission was
sreeding northward today from Key
West relieved all anxiety over the
possibility that the Mexican delegates
would not reach Niagara Falls in time
for the beginning of the conference.
First intimations of the scope of
their authority were revealed in a
statement by Senior Rodriguez, spOkes-
man for the party, who declared:
I'VE have full power to act; we car
ry no formula, and we shall decide
according to our consciences, always
bearing in mind the national honor
That applied, however, to issues be-
tween the Huerta government and the
United States. The Mexican dele
gates. SeHor Rodriguez said. would
deal only with external issues of the
situation because of the attitude OF
CarraffZa that an attempt to compose
Internal affairs in Mexico would be
hevond the bounds of diplomatic ac-
tivity.
Details of the final assault on Tam
pico after months of siege, which
came through slowly today, indicated
that reinforCements of artillery en-
bled General Gonzales to drive the
Federal gunboats from their positions,
then under cover of firSg from the
large guns, the COnStitutjOnaiiSts
charged into the town. the conflict
ending with desperate fighting in the
plaza. lightning interrupted wireless
communication between Rear Admiral
Mayo at Tampico and the fleet at Vera
Cruz and delayed detailed reports Of
the end Of the siege. News that
reached northern points by an over
land wire stated General Gonzales
mentioned a "bloody engagement"
The fate Of the Federals who fed
from Tampico was in doubt today.
In some quarters belief was expressed
that they wouoId be cut to pieces by
irterCeptinE ConstitutjOnalists long
before they could reach their own
that thev might attempt reprisals by
setting fire to the huge oil tanks in
land fro mthe port were not realized.
Evidently they were moving HurriedLy
in the hope of reaching q haven.
Order rapidly is being restored In
Tampico. reports today indicate, and
Rear Admiral MAYO with the Des
NOines and Dolphin has resumed
position in the river in front Of the
town. It was known that practically
all foreigners had left TampiCo before
its evacuation by the Federals and
no reports of damage to foreign prop
erty in the final lighting had been re-
CeiVed
With practically all Northern Mex
leo in control Of the Constjtutionalists,
plans for their next movement excited
much interest today. Villa was pre-
pairing to lead the assault against Sal
tilIO. COnStitutionaliSt Strategists
were. believed to have figured that if
they took Saitillo the Federal garri-
son there would concentrate at San
Luis POtOsi. leaving that city as one
of the points where Huerta would
make a final stand against the COnStt-
tutionalist campaign aimed at Mexico
City.
Reports that a Constitutionalist Off
Cial had stated foreign owned mines
Continued on Page Three)