Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-07
FUNSTON AUTHORIZED TO EXTEND HIS LINES
For Defensive Not to Undertake Any Aggressive Operation-No Further Achievements Have Been Ordered to Vera Cru-Admnal Badger Re ports Sharp Fighting Between Constutionasts and Federas Midway Between Vera Cruz and Tampico- Me dators Have Completed Plans for Beginning of Confer at Niagara Falls.

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 Washington. May s-WhiIe the Mex ican situation was outwardly calm to- day, pending the formal opening of the conference of South American mediators at Niagara Falls, Ont, on May IS there continued an active un-s dercurent of discussion and prepar- ation for the peace Plans. At the same time definite reports reached the Constitutiona1ists' headquarters here of sweeping victories of their forces near San Luis Potosi and other points south of Satil1o where it. was thought their next big battle would occur.
 The news of constitutionalist suc- cesses reached here in despatches from General Carranza to Raphael Zubaran, minister of the interior in the consti- tutionalists' cabinet who had a di- rect wire set up to the headquarters of General CarTanza in Chihuahua to- day.
 Series of Rebel Victories.
 Carranza's messages showed that three converg1ng campaigns were in active operation, each within three hundred miles of Mexico City.
 General Obregon. with 15,000 men, operating from the Pacific coast side, had captured all the intervening terri tory, was besieging Mazatlan, and was threatening Mexico City from the West.
 Another division, General Carranza
 
 zacos near San Luis Potos1. This is the southermost point which the con sxitutionalists have reached in Gen. tral Mexico and with the army now attacking Tampico, they declare that the general advance on the Mexican capital is to be made within a few weeks from three sides. The signif canoe of these constttnti tionalisf slc-S cesses lay in the fact that San Luis Potosi is far south of SaltiI1o,s and only 300 miles from Tanpico on the west and Mexico City on the south. perate condition of the federals at Mazatian. was cofnctdent with reports from Rear Admiral Howard who stated that a land and sea enga8exn&nt was carried on there throughout yeBterday, the constitut1onalists firing rifieS and feld guns from Pfedra Island, while the federal gunboat Morelos was SUD- ported by the federal shore batteries.
 Aside from the notable constitution alfst successes. Y the chief military de- velopment of the day was the author fzation to General Funston to extend his lines at Vera Cruz as might be re- duired for defensive purposes without, however, undertaking any aggressive operations A report also came from General Funston that he could secure movements by the federals under Gem eral Maas, but he construed what thoy were doing as being merely defensive. No further endorsements have been or6ered to Vera Cruz nor has there been any sign of General Wood moving Q fhe front to assume command.
 Reports From NaNaI Comma nders.
 The nsvaI situation was shown in repofts from Rear Admiral Badger as 10 sle Atlantic Coast points and from Rear Admiral Howard AS Co conditions cn the Pacific side. Admiral Badger stated that sharp fighting had occur red between Mexican federafs and con stitutfonalists midway between Vera Cruz and Tamp&co and hef added that runners had reached him through Ad- miral Mayo that some of fvilla's forces intended to take and burn the city of famDlco. Admiral Mayo put no faith 1n reports of . truce between federal and seonstitatfonadst clements about
 Congress again, came into the Mexi- oan. situation today when caustic dc, hate occuEred in the senate over the resolution of Senator Lippstt of Rhode Island, asking President Wilson for tnfMmafion aa-to his reported support of Paucho Villa for next ruler of Mex- ice.
 Tbesresofutfcn was finally tabled by Q viva vcce vote, but not until Sen e&Or Lsppftt had discussed reports of Tn1axnous vnlAs the fanrfnG at ERS .SuQUOfL In0 Vera Cruz and other incidents
 MeUioo aASo crept into tho debate on the repeal of the Panama Canal tol1s suemptfon act when Senator Bradley sf Kentucky declared that the repeal was ~Fo purchase immunity for . ccntimuation of watehful waiting in Mexfco." @s
 Headquarters ssosrsd Fer csHfsrsnos
 The South American mediators com neted thefr pla1s for beeinning the conference at NiaSnra Falls Head quArters viii be established at lead ins hotel there The mediators with their seesetazfee, stenogrAphsrs. etc, will make e party of about fifteen. They win leave here on the fifth, to prepare for the opening conference on tAe following Monday.
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