The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1914-05-12
Huerta's Annoying Tactics
Worry Wilson in Trying to
Untangle Knot of Mexican
War Embroglio.
Bryan Issues Ultimatum De-
manding Safe Conduct of
Vice Consul Silliman From
Danger Zone to Coast.
BY w. J. MADDOX,
Staff Correspondent Of the Interna.
tional News Service at the

SIohdi news Service al tne
State Department.
WASHINGTON, May 12.-Ominous
clouds today overcast the prospects
of mediation in the Mexican embroglio
as Official Washington waited to see
whether General Huerta would keep
his promise to free John r. Silliman,
American vice consul at Saltillo. IL
Huerta does not comply with the en-
phatic demand made by Secretary of
State Bryan that the American official:
be set at liberty at once, it is be-
lieved the only recourse of the United
States would be to send troops across
the Rio Grande.
Following Secretary Bryan's implied
ultimatum, the administration was in
formed that Silliman will be placed in
the custody of the Brazilian minister
at Mexico City and safely conducted
out OF the country. But the Mexican
dictator's actions preliminary to medi-
alton thus far have been so annoying,
it is thought that the Silliman affair
is not yet closed.
Another phase of the situation
which adds to the mediation tangle is
the representations which the navy
department was prepared to make to
the mediators regarding the light
houses on the coast of Mexico.
To Hold Lighthouses.
1t is understood that the navy de-
partment will ask the mediators to
countenance the landing of marines
or bluejackets at a dozen points on
the west coast of Mexico to take pos
session of the lighthouses and main
tain the beacons which were extin-
guished by Huerta's orders in an evil
dent attempt to hamper the opera
tions of the American fleet.
Lobos Island, south of Tampico, the
subject of Huerta's most recent pro-
test to the mediators is not occupied"
by the navy, according to Acting Sec
retary Roosevelt. The navy, however,
has found it necessary to place a crew
in the lighthouse there to maintain
the light. Similar action is contem-
plated in regard to every other Mexi-
can lighthouse that has become dark.
1t is understood that the navy depart
ment will urge this action on the
mediators to prevent a nava disaster,
the occurrence of which would cause
the last vestige of hope for peace be-
tween this country and Mexico to van
ish in a flash.
Peace Grows Distant.
In view of these developments, Of
ficials say that the prospects of peace
has been growing darker daily, and
they point to the activity of the war
and navy departments to support their
views.
President Wilson at once took up
the Mexican problem on his return
from New York where he Joined in
the nations tribute to the Vera Cruz
dead.
Later in the day he will confer with
Nelson O'Shaughnessy, until recently
charge d. affaires at Mexico City. and
discuss the latest phases of the situ-
alton with his cabinet.
The reports of Constitutionalist sue
cesses in Tampico continue to come
here, although official Washington still
is without definite information regard
ing the fighting. Little more than .
dozen Americans have fled to Rear
Admiral Mayo's ships and other for
eigners have taken refuge on German
and English men-of-war. but by far the
greater number of nationals in the
danger zone are gathered under the
rebels protection in an armed camp
In the oil well districts.
General Funston has informed the
war department that the Huertistas
are making base at Puebla, midway
between Vera Cruz and Mexico City,
with the evident intention of resisting
an American advance at that point. 1t
is also rumored here that Huerta is
preparing to move his government to
that place.