Evening star., 1914-04-25
U.S. MAY PUSH ON
TO MEXICO CITY TO
GUST GEN. HUERTA
Reports of Killing of Americans
Also Arouse Officials
in Washington.
PREPARATIONS ARE MADE
FOR AGGRESSIVE ACTION
Naval ohHssrs Instructed to Civ.
Asylum to Refugee
- Consuls /. :. ,.-,
U. S. SUBJECTS ARRESTED
Ambassador da CANA Requests That
Brazilian Minister Ask for Release
of Those Held at orizaha and
Taken OF Train. 1. !
PREPARATIONS ARE MADE
FOR 1AeGResslvE ACTION.
U. S. SUBJECTS ARRESTED


Prompt, aggressive action
against Mexico City is forecasted
in the activities of the Washing
ton government today.
The nearest approach to official
confirmation of this were state
ments by Secretary Garrison that
the troops ordered to Vera Cruz
were going there "for duty" and
by Secretary Daniels that a mill
tary officer is to, be in. command
at Vera Cruz.
Reliable sources of information
indicate that the campaign plans
contemplate that United States
troops will be sent inland to Mex
icoI City. Army engineers now
are. arranging for this movement.
The object of this expedition is
the capture or expulsion of Gen.
Huerta and his adherents and the
protection of the American col
ony reported to be in grave dan
ger of mob violence. Such an ex-
pedition undoubtedly would be
under the command of Gen. Fun
ston, now on his way to Vera
Cruz.
= Vera Cruz the Base.
SHOULD war be forced upon this govern
ment. it was pointed out. the base of
operations would be at Vera Cruz and
the plan would be to confine the advance,
il possible. to the territory controlled by
Huerta. With Mexico City as the OBJ
jecttve point of the American forces The
moyement, it was GENERALLY believed,
woy4d be an extensive one. Although it
stiN4fis the determined policy of the
President to prevent swarS TIA army and
navy are prepaned for Any emergency
and should the word come to advance TO
the frterior in order to protect life and
property it is said the War Department
is ready to send in an army of 2O,OOO to
30,0o men and to increase the forces to
a great degree along the Mexican bor-
der. ?.
: Murders Not Confirmed.
Rumors of the killing of Americans by
mobs in Mexico City haze not been con-
frmed. but are credited by some officials,
while others. including Secretary Bryan,
say Chat no official notification of the
killing of Americans has been made by.
Consal Canada. who reported nothing
more serious at Mexico City than the
pulling down of the Washington statue
andshe stoning of the American Club.
Arrest of American railway employees
at 0fizaba and the information forward
ed to Washington that American mill
tary authorities at Vera Cruz consider
the situation in Mexico City and through
out the Mexican republic grave one for
Americans there aroused administration
leaders.
Are Taken From Train.
In an official report from Consul
Canada at Vera Cruz the State Depart
ment was Informed today that several
Americans were placed under arrest in
Mexico City after being taken from
the refugee train that carried Charge
OShaughnessy and his party to Vera
Cruz. j. Starr Hunt and his family
were named among those arrested
Burton Wilson was taken from the
train at the first station out of Mexico
City
Secretary Daniels, at the request OF
Secretary Bryan. today ordered Rear
Admiral Howard. commanding the
American naval forces on the Pacific
coast. to give either asylum or passage
desiring TO leave Mexico City by way
Of the west coast. Like orders have
been given Rear Admiral Badger con-
cerning consuls who may leave through
Mexican gulf ports.
Confers With daGama.
While the authorities were exertinS
every possible effort 10 get verification of
the disquieting reports from the Mexican
capital, Secretary of State Bryan con-
ferred with the Brazilian ambassador,
Mr.. da Cana, over the arrest OF Ameri-
cans at orizaba and informed him that
he had requested the Brazilian diplo-
matte representatives in Mexico CITY to
bassador da Cana urged the Brazilian
minister in Mexico City to do all he could
for the release of the Americans.
oHicials Are Alarmed.
Oficfals here were much exercised
over the reported assassination OF
Americans in Mexico City. Serious
eventualities there. it was pointed out
might aggravate the present situation
and serve TO arouse sentiment among
the people that would demand more
aggressive action in Mexico on the
part OF this government.
IL was further emphasized, however
that mob violence could not be consid
cred as any deliberate act of Huerta
and that 1t could be claimed by his
government that it was powerless tC
control the situation owing to the
enti-American feeling aroused by the
seizure of Vera Cruz.
Bridges Are Menaced.
On5cers of both War and Navy depart
ments were concerned today over the re.
port from Vera Cruz that small Mexi-
can force was prepared to blow up the
railroad bridges between Vera Cruz and
Mexico City.
Several Of these bridges could not be
replaced. and temporary provision fol
getting trains by; then would be impos
sibls. The plans of the Navy and Wa,
Departments for possible operations oui
of Vera Cruz hinge on the possession oil
The railroad. and it was feared they
would be seriously hampered If the
bridges were destroyed.
The. Navy Department believes tina
an expeditiop out of. Vera Cruz alonf
- 4f3n1 sppue 1zg1x9 the Dazaky- q