Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1914-05-15
TO RUSH TROOPS
TO FUNSTON'S AID
Large Force Needed For Quick
March on Mexico City.
WAR BOARD IS ACTIVE
Fear of Anarchy In Huerta's Capital
and Danger of Attack on Vera Cruz
Calls For Heavy Reinforcements.

Calls For Heavy Reinforcements.
It was learned in Washington on
high authority that the war depart
ment has under consideration Plans
for the early and adequate rei1iccce'
ment of the command of Brighter
General Funston at Vera Cruz, to car
ry out any movement that might be
necessary to Mexico City or elsewhere
into the interior of Mexico.
The question of placing a large
force of Americans in Vera Cruz that
would be strong enough to defend that
port against any attack or to under
take a possible campaign against
Mexico City, was laid before the pres
ident and his cabinet by Secretary OF
War Garrison.
This subject was discussed at long
council of Secretary Garrison and the
general staff of the army and is cas-
ed by these serious developments:
Concentration OF a large ior,c OF
Mexican Federals nearer Vera NfA'
with the possibility of an early AK
on the American position.
Fear that a condition of genera! al
archy in Mexico City soon may zee
a quick march upon Mexico Clt- ID
rescue foreigners.
Reports that two German ships are
off Vera Cruz with war munitions for
Huerta.
It is believed that at least another
brigade of 1000 men will be dispa tched
to Vera Cruz within a few days. Plans
have been discussed to mobilize there
or hold on ships nearby enough men
to make a force of $4,000 to 6O,0G0
men if a move on Mexico City becomes
necessary.
In the "war council Secretary Gar
rison and the general staff went over
the entire military situation at Vera
Cruz and other points in Mexico be-
fore reaching the decision that large
reinfcrceme2ts for General Funston
were imperative.
Among the grave dispatches receiv-
ed which stirred the war and navy de-
partments into quick action was one
from Rear Admiral Badger, which, 1t
is said, stated that two oil wells a
short distance from Tampico had been
fired and great damage was resulting.
Another dispatch said that the pro-
lection of property interests in and
around the city by an armed force was
Nni+Ior thn Enllralc
the Constituencies in the vicinity
are properly conserving foreign inter
ests, it is believed, in spite OF their
promises to do so.
Signs of great activity were mani
tested in the navy department, but
whether orders have been issued to
Admiral Badger to land sailors and
marines in Vera Cruz to support Gen
eral Funston's troops, or whether
Joint action between the army anG the
navy in shipping additional troops to
Vera Cruz is under contemplation,
could not be learned. The navy de-
partment, it is said, has options on
transports in virtually every seaport
Oh lu6 AlldullS JUL NOsAoIo, oANA
they are held in readiness for any use
desired by the government.
Plans have been made by the war
department, it is said, to throw al eX-
peditionarly force into Mexico, across
the northern border, within ten hours,
if the exigency should arise. Major
General Franklin Bell will be placed
in temporary command OF this force.
The continued absence OF informa.
ton concerning the United States vice
consul, John R. Silliman, at Saltillo,
believed to have been taken prisoner
by the Mexican Federals, has added
to the seriousness of the situation.
One high government official summed
up the state OF affairs with this re-
mark:
"Theer is going to be war in Mexico
unless Silliman is found soon."