The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-16
PEACE CONFERENCE
 IS POSTPONED AT . MEX|CANS' REQUEST
Change in Plans Without Political Significance, Say Delegates-NOte of
 Protest Sent
tContinued on Page EighD

Washington. May 15.-Postponemcnt of the Niagara Falls Mexican media tion conference from Monday to We'd nesday at the request of the Huerta delegates, changed the plans of the south American mediators and the American commissioners for depart ure today and tomorrow, and at the same time produced much speculation ans to possible sisnff,cance fu the sie- lay.
 Later the Spanish ambassador here, who lis caring for the interests of Mexico in the United States, authorized state ment that the delay merely meant that the Huerta delegates wanted brief re- spite from their long journey, and had no political importance The Spanish am- bassador will give the AIexicans a dinrer heare Saturday, after which they will pro- cede to Niagara Falls. The three South American diplomats and American com missoners will leave Sunday and Mon day and all will assemble Wednesday.
 There were many developments in the day, clearing the horizon for mediation. but one sinister aspect developed in the sending of a strong note of protest by the United States government to General Huerta through the Brazilian minister in Mexico City. declaring the reported execu- ton of Private Parks, an American infan- tryman, hostile act in view of the sus- pension of hostilities at Vera Cruz The refusal to divulge information about Parks in answer to repeated requests also was resented by the American government While there is no intimation as to what course of the United States will take, if is virtually certain that when the final reckoning is made for offenses alleged to have been committed by the Huerta ad- ministration the Parks incident will have a prominent part.
 Parks. who, according to General Fun ston, apparently was insane, voluntarily rode into the Mexican line. As he was in uniform the United States contends he should have been treated as a prisoner of war and not executed as a spy. The burning of his body, indicated in reports from General Funston as well as by stories reaching the Brazilian legation in Mexico City. is held by the United States to be contrary to the rules of civilized warfare.
 The three mediators, through the state department, today announced that the Lobos Island incident had been cleared up. They have informed General Huerta that the Mexicans were free to return to the Lobos Island lighthouse.
 The war department announced that the live alleged South American snipers under arrest at Vera Cruz for firing on Amer jeans had turned out to be Mexicans, and like the others arrested at Vera Cruz on this charge, had been discharged. This lad threatened for time to involve south American governments but 1t ap- pears now the arrested men said they were South Americans merely to escape punishment
 On the whole. President Wilson and ms cabinet today took a more hopeful view or the entire Mexican situation than they had in many weeks They are confident mediation will accom-, piish something toward the pacific set- tlement of the Mexican problem. The constitutionalists capture of Tamnico brought out the fact that there ia m prohibition against the shipment of arms into that port from the Tinted States or. any other country. Secretarv Garrison today for the first time re- vealed the nature of his recent order shutting off shipments of arms across the international border He said if was a departmental order and did not af- feet shipments through seaports. The President did not issue proclamation restoring the general embargo on arms but 1t was believed then the pro- hibition would be carried out by the navy as well as the army. Unless the President issues new proclamation or the navy department takes action similar to that of the war department the constitutionalists can get all the munitions of war they wish through Tampico.
 Not Completely Restored
 According to Secretary Garrison's ex- planation of the arms question. there never has been a complete restoration of the embargo on arms since the Pres- idcnt lifted it to all factions in Mex leo last March. When Carranza's note following the seizure of Vera Cruz ar (Centinued en Dage Eleven)