The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-07
MEXICAN AND u S. WARSFIIPS OFF TO TAN1PICO

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May IS that copy of the order fell
= into the hands OF Huerta's agents in
Washington. Then 1t was C nveyed to
IIuerta's ENJOYS at the Niagara Falls
mediation conference. BY them 1t was
In turn forwarded to Gen. Huerta. who
has just instructed his Minister of ar.
Gen. Banquet. to issue the order fer
the blockade OF Tamplco.
II is well understood in Washington
that Interference on the part OF the
United States In tie blockade Of
Tampico by Huerta's gunboats constl-
tutes an unfriendly act In defiance OF
the existing armistice existing between
the United States and the Federal gov
ernment 1t is believed that the con
sequences OF such action have been well
weighed. hut just at what point the
United States expects to escape Us re-
spons!billty to the representatives. OF
the three South American republics now
constituting the board of mediation re-
mains undisclosed.
Wilson Gets the News.
The receipt OF the news Of the move
ment OF the gunboats caused stir
among officials in Washington cary
s. this morning. The white House was
Informed OF the news and the President
received the details OF this importan'
development. Secretary Il the Navy
Daniels also was routed from his bed
but he announced that no orders would
be sent to the American warships before
tomorrow. In the meantime they VIII
follow the previous instructions ana
trail the Federal gunboats. The United
States cruisers Sacramento and Tacoma
will follow the two Huerta gunboats
from Puerto Mexico and the United
States gunboat Paducah will steam
closely behind the armed tug Tampco
IL she attempts to leave the Alvarado
River.
There was no doubt in Washington
this morning that the movement OF the
Mexican gunboats will bring the long
expected crisis In the Mexican situa-
ton. II the United States follows its
present intention and prevents this
blockad, through the use of force II vii.
mean the end Of the mediation proceed
Ings. Ii will mark. too, the beginning
Of a programme of open assistance to
the Constltutionalists in their effort to
reach Mexico city.
No, NJ N fipna1 'aW
q blockade. in order to command the
recognition Of other Governments must
be effective. Navy Department authori-
ties say that Huoria's gunboats prob
ably could bottle up Tampico II there
was no Interference from the United
States. II this Government decides to
use force the attempted blockade will
of course he a farce and will mercy
have the effect OF disclosing the hand Of
the United States Government.
Many here expected that Huerta
would not undertake a complete block
ade, but would mercy hold up the AM
tilla on the ground that she y carrying
contra bahd OF war for the rebels. There
Is grave doubt here as to whether the
United States would have the right to
interfere with an attempt by Huerta
merely to hold up the Antilla. The
notice from the Spanish Ambassador
indicates, however, that Huerta con-
templates complete blockade.
Great Britain and Holland Will be
particularly interested with the United
State. in this attempt. They have large
oil interests at Tampico and 1t was
partly in response to their protests that
the United States issued its original
order that Tampieo should be MAIN
tanned as an open port.
The general opinion here this morn
Ing was that Huerta, inoensed at the
supplies of arms cleared for the Consti-
tutlonalists from American ports, had
determined on show down and, II
necessary, force the United States into
war rather than submit to overthrow by
the Constitutionalists.