Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-09
ACQU|T GEN. MAS
OF PARKS MURDER
Army Officers Do Not Think
Execution of Soldier Will
Bring on Clash.
FEDERAL FORCES GATHER
NORTH OF VERA CRUZ
Refugees Report Huerta as Threat
ening to See Capital in Ashes
Before Resigning

VERA CRU. Nav . Even Il tho re-
ported execution hv Gen Mas men NJ
Private Samuel Parks. the ORDERLY miss
ing since WcdnesGa-. prove ttTic. arm
officers are inclined not Ia regard ors
such incident as APP 10 precipitatc 4 clash
They believe such an act would proba
bly, he that OF subordinate officer with.
out authority and tina; Mas would be-
wholly ignorant of the matter until thc
Mexico City government asked for an ex
matter will be taken up by the author
ties at Washington through the Brazilial
minister at Mexico City and that the
Huerta officials will make a prompt in
vestigation.
Gen. Funston deems IL inadvisable 70
open formal communication with Gen
Mas and is. therefore leaving the case
of Private Parks to Washington
Story of Execution.
A Mexican railway man is authority for
the report OF Parks death. He said he
was told by one of Mas soldiers that
Parks had been killed lie said also that
the Mexican soldier told him that two
nights previous another man dressed Ike
an American soldier. had been executed
Col. Taggart went by train yesterday
TEAR to try to get Information concern
ing Parks. He said he had heard the
same story as that told by the railroad
man.
Gen. Funston has asked that the hrl-
gade equipment left behind at Galveston.
- f1.,t fsats h.nT a
wagons on the transports. be sent for
ward. He is also asking that recruits
for regiments here now assembled AZ
recruiting depots in the United States
be shipped.
The equipment includes n majority OF
the regmental wagon trains and horses
for the Signal Corps. Lacking these, the
Signal Corps and qu3rtermaster de-
partment are hampered' in their work
about the city and al the outposts.
Mexican Forces Sighted.
Reports from the north outposts ana
the ayiators indicate that there are more
regulars in that direction than was here
tofore thought. One party OF fifty was
seen. They made no hostile demonstra-
ton and proceeded apparently without
paying attention to the Americans, The
largest party seen northward previously
was q SD1dll SQUAD WHICH Was ol6iASh q
few days ago by an aviator.
The military officers are agreed that
some extension of the American lines Is
desirable for the protection OF the food
and water supply of Vera Cruz. They
desire the extension to embrace the dis
trict all about the city. The orders from
Washington that the lines be not extend
ed thus far have prevented any action
being taken. but 1t Is believed the army
officers are pressing the War Department
Yaaryy,iccjnn IN broaden lines 81 a =
to make the military situation complete.
If Washington approves. the troops here
will be increased for an extern
sion of the lines. thus leaving the ad
vance base marine regiments free for
any calls from coast towns.
Increase in Population.
The army estimates the population OF
Vera Cruz, including troops and Ameri-
can and Mexican refeees. at between
1000 and $1,000. This is one-third above
normal and accounts for the water short
age Efforts to limit the water consump-
ton are in progress.
Army officers report that the Mexican
police are doing satisfactory work. Under
the existing arrangement they handle
only Mexicans, While the troops take
care of the cases in which soldiers, sailors
or foreigners are involved.
MeNlcanS arriving mere from MEXICO
City say that Gen. Huerta shows no in
tention of abandoning the presidency OF
Mexico. The president, they assert, is
popularity credited with having made the
statement that he would see the capital
in ashes before he would quit.
The American forces at Vera Cruz are
violating the armistice by landing more
troops. ordnance and supplies. according
to Mexican papers under the domination
of Huerta.
a Mexican brought into the city yes
ferday report thar Gen. Gustavo
Mas has put to death nineteen con
victs released from prison just before
the Americans occupied Vera Cruz.
the prisoners he released and
armed to assist him in the defense Of
Vera Cruz We're many well-kno"n
criminals Since the Americans drove
the federals out of Vera cruz the con
vets have been robbing and killing
people in the region NOT protected hF
either the Mexicans or the Americans.
Gen. Mas is said TO have rounded up
one band of the former prisoners and
executed all of its members.
Solicitous for Foreigners.
Cen. Mas has released g. II. Coxon.
manager of the Vera Cruz Street Railway
Company. whom he had held prisoner
1t Soledad.
Americans travelling pel"seH iHf NdP-
tai and Vera cruz are IMPRESSED most
ny the solicitude of Huertas officers
or the safety Of fore'silers. cspecia
" Americans. The recent arrest or two
who subsequently were -
eased. called forth a reprimand of the
'ederal officers from President iuerta.
ravelers who have arrived here from
he capital report that normal condi-
lions exist there.
Reports Of rebel victories continue
% reach Vera cruz 1t is reported that
Enaliano Zapata has taken Cuerna-
raca capital of the state of Morelos.
which is within forty miles of Mexico
-itv. Reports of rebel successes are
still being suppressed in the capital and
'ew persons there know of Gen. Villa
steady approach from the north.
Gen. Funston Confirms Report
of the Capture of Parks
Gen Funston. in a report to the War
department. today from Vera Cruz. con
rmed unofficial reports that Private
'arks. supposed to be insane. had been
aptured by Mexican federals into
shose lines he rode with two horses
elonging to Lieut.. Col. Gilmore F. Tag