Evening star., 1914-05-05
Railroad Between Vera Cruz
and Mexico City Is Mined,
War Department Learns.
FEDERALS STRENGTHEN
POSITION BY DEFENSES
Reinforcements Arrive at Tampico,
Where Heavy Firing Is Heard.
Mail for U. s. Forces.

Mexican federal troops have mined the
railroad tracks from Vera Cruz to Mex
leo City in preparation for the utter de-
struction of the road in the event that
the American forces attempt march on
the capital This information was given
out by the War Department today.
The mines are reported to be located
a half mile apart. and Mexican soldiers
have been detailed to touch off the fuses
as soon as the word is given.
These preparations and the throwing
up of defenses which are daily making
the position of the Mexican federal troops
stronger and stronger are known to he
source of worry to Gen. Funston. and it
is understood that he would welcome
orders to start for the Mexican capital
at once.
There is reported to be an undercur-
rent of impatience throughout bolh tne
army and navy at the delay caused by
the mediation proceedings, and lack OF
faith in their success.
The steamer Camaguey has arrived at
Vera Cruz from Tampico bringing re-
ports that the federals at Tampico were
reinforced by 1..Oo men last week f1r-
ing continues daily at Tampico, and Al
miral Mayo reports having heard neaVs
guns fired ashore yesterday morning.
Mail Service for Fighting Force.
Admiral Badger reported today that
special mail service between Galveston
and Vera Cruz would be established TOT
the benefit of the army and the meet
with torpedo boat destroyers as the mail
carriers The first destroyer would leave
Galveston at 6 pm and every fifth day
thereafter.
Admiral Badger explained that the
sending of refugees on the Henley ana
Warrington directly from Iuxpam 70
Galveston was due to the fact that when
the destroyerS reached Iampico' "Heie
il was intended to transfer the passen-
gers to one of the regular boats 1or SeM
Orleans, the sea was too roueh 10 eHecl
the transfer.
1t became known in washington iase
night that word had been conveyed 10
Brig Gen. Funston, commanding the
army at Vera Cruz, that he might inod-
ify, as the exigencies of the case de-
termine the orders under Wnch ne IL
operating.
in view of the massing of troops on MS
front by the Mexican federals the need
for the extension of his lines out from
Vera Cruz was doubtless growing daily
more important. He therefore was sneh
to understand that the force of blue
ia ckets and attached marines recently
withdrawn from Vera Cruz would be held
in readiness to assume the policing OF
Vera Cruz at once if necessity arose.
q. S. Force About 1000 Men.
1t was remarked that such an arrange
ment relieving Gen. Funston of having
TO give any thought to the internal con-
ditions at Vera Cruz would put at his
disposal at once. for operations against
any attack by the newly gathered army
of 15.ooo federals, a force of approxi-
mately 1000 men.
That the federal force outside of Vera
Cruz is becoming more and more certain
of itself is evident in the fact that
Mas has again demanded the surrender
of the waterworks Its purpose is re-
sarded as very evident suggestion of
the federals that trial of force. If
precipitated by the American defenders
welcome.
Overnight advices to the War Depart
ment from Vera Cruz were summarized
in this statement by Secretary Garrison
today:
The latest message received from
Gen. Funston came during the night
In it he reports no change in con1i-
tions He visited the Tejar pumping
station yesterday. He reports that he
is arranging for a proper defense of
the pumping station without extending
our liEes
The American wounded unde- treat
mcnt aht ard the hospital snip Solace
noG Eun.ber forty-five. and all are re-
ported ie ing we'll. l.. Benson, ordinary
seaman on the New Hampshire. is the
latest cf these - be dischl.g-L