Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-02
Carranza Objects
 to Neutral Zone
BUT WILL NOT INQUEST OIL
 WELLS AT TAMPIco.
PEACE ENVOYS ACTIVE
ReoPenine of American Consulate at TamPico is Expected to Keep Oil Wells From Being Destroyed.

Washington, May General Car ranza teIegraphed Secretary Bryan from Chihuahua tonight that the con SututionalistS would not enter into any formal agreement for the estab- hshment for, a neutral zone around the oil wells at Tampico. He said, however, that as far as his forces were concerned, the oil companies could resume operations without fear of molestation.
 Assurances of peace, with a steady abatement of war talk'' was the dom inant feature in the Mexican develop ments here today. Attention was still certered on the work of the South American mediatorS who reported steady progress and the avoidance of any deadlock between the parties
 In other quarters, however, the fail ure Of CarranZa thus far to accept the mediators' proposal for a suspension of hostiliteS against Huerta caused con- tfnued doubt over the outlook for broadening the scope of the mediators' work to a settlement of the whole Mexican situation.
 While the gravity and the hopeful ness Of the situation varied from hour to hour, the envoyS of Argentina, Bra gil and Chile kept steadily at their work, holding two lengthy sessions ct the Argentine legation Their long conference last night with Secretary Bryan was followed today by a con- ference with the Spanish abbassador Senor Riano, who represents the Hu- erta government The nlediators made no announcement. It was known they were expecting another definite development today which might lead to a statement later, but its purport was mt jiScaC sed.
 There was reason to believe, how ever, that it related to the attitude of CarranZa, who, having accepted the mediators good offices, was now de- sired to suspend hostilities.
 One of the mediators likened thier work to a hard climb up a precipitious mountain, one dangerous cliff being scaled at a time until the height was reached. Fortunately ne add.d, the dangers thus Jar had been overcome and the advance was steady.
 What Envoys Have Aeeompiished.
 Summing up what the mediators had done thus far a well-posted authority said it represented more ac .uaIly &C., cnplished in 9 given time thar had ever occurred in the history of inter- mediation He specified, beginning on ATr!I 26 and continuing six days in- cIuCInE tTCsy:
 First. e. eptance of srut. oT-ts by the United States; secp1d, sc-ep. ance by Huerta: third, acceptance by Car ranza; fourth. suspension of hostili- ties by the United States; fifth, sus- pension of hostilities by Huerta-"
 This five accomplishments, within six days, were declared to be without precedent in international bodies which had previously exercised good offices. 4 sixth development, it was expected, would further emphasize what was being done.
 The conference of the Spanish am- bassador with the mediators was not to deliver any communication from Huerta but to go over the general sit- uation. As showing the directness of the mediators, they are putting aside all diplomatic circumlocution and sending cables direct to Huerta and Carran5a and receiving direct re- plies. The text of the Huerta reply, through his foreign minister, accept ing good offices, which has heretofors been given only in outline was as fol- lows.
 urgent. With reference to yester- days telegram tell the Spanish ann bassador that mediation is accepted in principal and that we are very much obliged for his good offices as well as to the representatives of the A B. of the peoples Spanish origin
 The Huerta reply to the armistice proposal, received last night, was also a direct cable to the mediators in re- sponse to their cabled inquiry.
 The regular meeting of the cabinet today was devoted largely to affairs other than Mexico, showing that much of the tension over the situation has disappeared in administration quarters. Members of the cabinet spoke hope fully of the mediation proce esdings and felt from its present aspect, that 1t would work out"
 Secretary Bryan said the point in the negotiations where it was nec- essary to submit basis for the American governments position had hl0n reached
 Secretaries Bryan and Daniels were active during the day in their en- deavors to neutralize the oil wells at Tampico It developed that the local authorities at the town would take no action until advised by their su- periors. So the British embassy con- tinued It's effors to secure an under standing with the Huerta government while the United States communicated with General Carranza- The reopen ing of the American consulate at Tam pico is expected to assist in keeping the wells from being destroyed. Gen eral Zaragoza the federal commander there. has promised American Consul Miller protection
 Army Officers to Govern Vera Cruz.
 At the war department Secretary Garrison announced his intention of removing all the civil officials at Vera Cruz, replacing them with army of l1E 1dIIlSOn SdlI HO EcuoG- tioE was intended on the men already chosen, as he did not know any of them. but that it was customary under military occupa ton for all officers to be directly responsible to the war department. He said Admiral F1etch- CT had chosen civilians because the navy did not have the machinery for a municipal government, the army having legal officers and others quail fled to handle a government such as was the case in Cuba after the Span ish-American war. According to war department officials. it is absolutely necessary to make the courts at Vera Cruz military tribunals, or damage suits against the civil government there might result in claims against the American government, martial law removing that possibility.