Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-13
0'Shaughnessy Tells Pres
ident Dictator is Fast
Weakening.
LAST STAND AT PUEBLA
Has Been Shipping Gold Abroad
in Preparation for Exile
No Ammunition Landed.

San Diego, Cal, May ia wire
| less from the battleship California
says Huerta has revoked his order for
bidding carrying on trade with the
United States.
Washington, D. c., May 13.-With
plans for the Mexican situation media
tion conference at Niagara Falls, Ont.
next week rapidly maturing, tension
over the international conflict was re-
lieved somewhat today by several i'm
portant developments.
Assurances come that no ammuni-
tion was landed at Mexican ports by
German ships. There was positive in
formation that Vice Consul Silliman,
held a prisoner at Saltillo, was actually
on his way from Mexico City enroute
to Vera Cruz.
Concern was aroused, however, over
the reported execution by Mexican
federals of Samuel Parks, the Ameri-
can orderly who disappeared at Vera
Cruz several days ago while believed
deranged by excessive heat. Unoffi-
cial reports persist Parks was exc
cuted. If true 1t is pointed out by some
quarters serious complications might
arise.
Another interesting development
was a report that O'Shaughnessy has
informed President Wilson that HUI
erta, realizing his fall must come
eventually. was preparing for his last
stand against his internal enemies at
Puebla.
II was announced at the state de-
rartment that II. Percival Dodge, for
mer minister to Panama, had been Sc
lected as secretary to the American
delegates to the mediation conference.
Easy Task for Rebels.
That Huerta is preparing for crisis
in his dictatorship and has long been
planning to leave Mexico City with
troops and make "a last stand at Pueb-
midway between the capital and
Vera Cruz, was understood today to
have been told President Wilson last
night by Nelson O'Shaughnessy, who
recently left his post as charge in Mex
leo City.
O'Shaughnessey Is said to have in
formed Wilson that Huerta picked
PuebIa for his last refuge in case the
rebels get too close to Mexico City, and
that the fortifying and provisioning of
Puebla is under way. Huerta has no
intention OF resigning. but realizing his
regime could not stand long and even
tually that he would be deposed. he
desired TO acquire as much glory as
possible before the inevitable.
Has Only 5000 Men.
O'Shaughnessy is said further TO
have told the president that Huerta
has at his command only four to six
thousand men: that neither Zapata
or Villa would have any great difficult
ty in taking the city. His information
is along the line OF other reports reach
ing the government in the last few
weeks. Further information from these
sources is that Huerta has been ship
ping gold abroad in contemplation of
his exile.
Admiral Badger officially reported
that the German vessel Kron Princes
sin Cecilie landed no arms consigned
to Huerta at any Mexican port. The
vessel unloaded $50 tons of general
cargo at Vera Cruz, then departed for
Havana with the ammunition con-
signed to Huerta-
Mas Asked for information.
Secretary Garrison has directed Gen.
eral Funston TO ask General Mas,
Mexican commander. what has become
of Samuel Parks who, supposedly in
sane. rode through the Mexican lines.
Similar inquiry has been transmitted
by Secretary Bryan to president
Huerta through the Brazilian minister
in Mexico City. IL has been reported
Parks met death in the Mexican lines.
According to the French embassy
Vice Consul Silliman, held by federal
authorities at Saltillo is on his way to
Mexico City under guard. At the cap
itaI he will be turned over to the Bra
lillian minister and allowed TO proceed
TO Vera Cruz.
I'VE should be very glad TO have the
Mexican lighthouse keepers return
and take charge OF Lobos Island. said
Secretary Daniels. discussing the lat
est phase of the situation growing out
of the landing of American forces
there.
Kninht, CoIurnbus 70 Decatur.