The Washington herald., 1914-04-23
more SHIPS ON
WAY TO mexico
Re-enforcements Ordered to
Join Fleets on East and
West Coasts.
OTHERS HAVE ARRIVED
Naval Forces at Vera Cruz, Increased
by Torpedo Flotlla. Number
Nineteen Vessels in All.

The Navy Department continues to add
| to the formidable feet OF war vessels
now gathered In Mexican waters. Sec
retary Daniels yesterday ordered four
more battleships and four torpedo de-
stroyers to proceed at once as re-en-
forcements to the American vessels al
ready on the east and west coasts OF the
southern republic.
The battleships Georgia. Virginia, and
Nebraska, now at the Boston Navy Yard.
and the West Virginia, and four torpedo
destroyers, now at Santiago. Cal. re-
ceived orders yesterday. In addition, two
reserve cruisers have been ordered TO be
commissioned Immediately for use In
Mexican waters.
situation on West Coast.
The most interesting phase of the naval
orders yesterday was the movement OF
vessels on the Pacific Coast For several
days. the Navy Department has been in
creasing the strength OF the United
States fleet on the west coast OF Mexico.
Several of the vessels have been ordered
to Salina Cruz, which is the western
terminus OF the Tehuantepec Railroad. 1t
has been said that vessels were being
rushed there for the protection of
American freight over this railroad. but
the belief is that both the eastern and
western ends Of this road will be seized
within a short time.
Another explanation OF the increasing
of the naval force on the Pacific Coast
Is that precautions are being taken to
prevent shipments of arms from the
Orient falling into the hands of Huerta.
So far as can be learned, the Navy De
partment has no information OF any
actual consignment of arms and am
munition from this quarter.
The West Virginia has been ordered
to report to Read Admiral Howard. COM
mander OF the Pacific fleet. whose flag
ship now is at Mazatlan. The depart
ment announced also that the Maryland
will leave Mare Island for the west
coast of Mexico Friday. The third divi-
sion OF the Atlantic Fleet. consisting OF
the Georgia. Virginia and Nebraska. will
sail from Boston on the 18th. under orders
10 report TO Admiral Badger.
further movement OF vessels and
marines on the Pacific Coast was an
nounced in this bulletin from the depart
ment:
The armored cruiser South Dakota.
the collier Jupiter carrying an expedi-
tIonary force OF marines. sailed from
San Francisco at S:I5 this morning to
Santiago. Cal"
A statement given out by the Navy
greater part Of Admiral Badgers feet
has Joined that Of Admiral Fletcher be-
fore Vera Cruz. These warships now are
at that Mexican port: The Arkansas,
Florida. Utah Vermont. New Jersey.
Ncw Hampshire, Sosth Carolina. Min
nesota. Hancock. with 900 marines on
board. Prairie, Chester, San Francisco.
and Orion.
Only one battIeship now is at Tampico.
10 l.. r. E.t,s 81 H. NnEV,
Dolphin. Solace. and Cyclops are still
before Tampico.
The location of other warships now In
Mexican waters is as follows:
At Guaymss. the Justin II: at MaZatlan
the California and the Raleigh; at TOPo-
bolampo the GlaZier and the Yorktown:
at Salina Cruz. the Annapolis and the
Denver.
Torpedo Fleet Sails.
The Pacific torpedo destroyer fotil!a.
consisting of the Whipple. Paul Jones.
Perry. Stewart. TruxtOn. and the tender
Iris. under command OF Lieut. Com
mander r. H. Dodd, has sailed from San
Diego for MaZatlan. where they will re-
port to Rear Admiral Howard
The Albany has sailed from BremertOn,
Wash. for the same port. The fiotilla
Is expected to arrive at its destination
In about five days
The torpedo destrOyers flaming. Beale.
Jarvis. Jenkins. Jouett. Henley, Drayton,
Mccall. Warrington. Patterson Spalding
Ammen. Burrows. and Trippe, comprising
the flotilla under the command of Capt. /
sims. which sailed from Pensacola April !
%. arrived at Vera Cruz last night and |
will be stationed at that port or at !
as Admiral Badger may decide. !
The hotlla was ACCOMPANIED by the
acting as flagship and the |
tender Dixie.
The Birmingham. the fastest scout !
cruiser Of the navy. carries two hydro |
aeroplanes aboard. The hydroplancs |
will be available to scout for the miss |
ing train which left Mexico City yester-
day and for determining conditions Of
The Mexican artillery.
Secretary Daniels said yesterday that
the navy enlistments now total the fun