Omaha daily bee., 1915-03-10
FIRST ANSWER
OF CARRANzA IS
GENERAL DENIAL
Mexican Chieftain, in Verbal Reply
to Wilson's Note, Says There
is No Crisis in the City
of Mexico.
wARsHIPs GO TO VERA CRUZ
Washington and Georgia, Which
Are Now at Guantanamo, Will
Proceed to Gulf Port.
CABINET CONSIDERS SITUATION

WASHINGTON, March 9.--Gen-
eral Carranza has made a prelimi-
nary reply to the American represen-
tstions, denying generally the exist
ence Of conditions in Mexico City
which the United States has called
upon him to improve
In statement made orally to
American Consul Silliman at Vera
Cruz, the Mexican chief denied that
General Obregon. his commander in
Mexico City, had prevented food
from reaching the Mexican capital or
that he had sent supplies away.
Meanwhile, however, orders went,
forward to Rear Admiral Fletcher.
commanding the Atlantic fleet at
Guantanamo, to send two more bat
tleships to the scene. -4..
After the cabinet meeting today it was
said that the sending OF the additional
warshlps to Vera Cruz was the only
move contemplated at the present. The
entire Mexican situation was gone over.
Washington md Georgia sent.
Admiral Fletcher selected the armoTed
cruiser Washington, now in Haitien
waters with Rear Admiral Caperton, and
the battleship Georgia, commanded by
Captain Robert G. Coontz, now at Guam
tanamo, TO proceed to Vera Cruz.
The selection of ships was left to Ad-
miral Fletcher, and shortly after noon
today he reported what orders he had
given, The Washington is the flagship OF
the cruiser squadron OF the Atlantic
fleet II carries H officers and 90a men
aud ls commanded by Commander Ed
ward l.. Beach The Georgt Is one of
the first line battleships OF the third
division II carries 20 officers and S64
men. The Washington Is a little faster
than the Georgia. aud both ships. start
ing today. should be at Vera Cruz by
Thursday might. --
Secretary Daniels said that the Wash
lngton and Georgia had no orders other
than to proceed to that port at once.
Secretary Garrison said no army move
ments were in contemplation. II was de-
clared generally that the course OF the
United States depended upon the atti-
tude OF Carranza. Secretary Daniels said
the ships at Guantanamo had plenty of
marines on board.
Note - Nor U1timRtum.
President Wilson today said CaTranza
had been called upon by the United
states to protect foreigners in Mexico
city. The president reiterated that the
government had represented it's views on
what appeared to be the situation in
Mexico City. He added that in all such
situations II was necessary TO discount
reports n great deal, because, he said,
certain persons would like to have the
United States intervene in Mexico, even
If they had to manufacture the facts on
which to base the Intervention.
When the president was asked II the
latest note to Carranza was an ultima
tum he replied, that the administration
did not issue ultimatums. but expressed
its views and acted accordingly.
President Wilson referred to the fear
OF outrages In Mexico City as being more
pressing at present than anything that
had already occurred. The fear was, he
said that the city would be left without
protection,
No Request for InterventtOn.
No request had come from any foreign
government, the president said. for action
by the United States III Mexico although
diplomatic representatives OF two for
eign countries had expressed their anx-
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