The Washington herald., 1914-06-08
TO keep
TAMPICO open
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

proceedings There were rumors early in
the day that the United States govern
ment would prevent a general blockade,
but might allow Huerta's gunboats to
hold up the Antilla, on the ground that
she was carrying contraband. Such an
outcome of the present situation would
relieve this governments embarrassment
as regards mediation. but would greatly
incense the constitutionalists. Any COM
promise of this character seemed, though.
| to be discredited by the last sentence In
the Navy Departments statement, which
says that II is the desire of the United
States government that "the port OF
Tampico shall be open to all commerce
1nasmuch as the statement contained a
direct reference to the Antilla, the use
of the words ''all commerce" was inter-
preted as including the Ward liner and
her cargo.
Furthermore, IL is believed that United
States officials appreciate that any COM
promise OF this character simply would
be postponing the evil day. for 1t would
not be long when another vessel would
appear at the port of Tampico, loaded
with arms for the constitutionalists.
No Explanation Given.
No official explanation has been given
as yet of the extreme Importance that
the United States attaches to the keeping
open of this port. 1t was said that the
original order was issued because of the
vast supply of oil that had been accu-
mulated there from the gushers. Great
Britain and Holland had insisted that the
port be kept open. Since then the situa-
tion as regards the oil supply has been
relieved through the sailing of many
tank steamships.
In Washington there is practically
unanimous opinion as to the purpose
that the United States government has
in mind, and that is to keep this port
open as a avenue for the constitutional
lists to obtain their war supplies.
1t is known that this government has
been informed that Villa now lacks am
munition to carry on a campaign TO
Mexico City. and that a replenishment
of his supply Is absolutely necessary II
he is to make his way to the capital.
While the United States desires to see
a peaceful settlement of the Mexican
situation through mediation. there is no
doubt that Carranza and Villa are the
aids upon which this government is de-
pending as a last resort
No OniciaI Word.
Considerable Importance seemed to be
attached by this government to the fact
that nothing had been heard officially of
a notification by Huerta to other nations
of his intended blockade Dispatches
from Mexico City, however, indicated
that formal notice had been served by
the dictator on all the foreign legations
there. This course would be necessary
to establish a blockade, and in order to
have 1t recognized Huerta also will be
Obliged to make it absolutely effective.
Huerta's notification to this govern
ment consisted merely in a dispatch to
the Spanish Ambassador asking him to
transmit the notice to the State Depart
ment 1t was not contained in a formal
note, and up to a late hour last night
there had been no reply by the United
States. This reply is likely to take the
form of a warning to the commanders of
the Mexican gunboats.
As the result of developments Of the
last twenty-four hours. it is expected
the fate Of the mediation conferences
will be decided soon. There is grave
doubt in Washington as to whether the
mediators themselves may not feel in
censed at the United States even IL
Huertas delegates do not make the Tam
pico incident the basis for a refusal to
continue the negotiations. The Antilla
is not expected of Tampico before We'd
nesday morning. and by that time it will
be settled whether the Niagara Falls con-
ferences are to go on or whether the
Tampico blockade will bring them TO an
end