The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1915-08-12
AMERICAN COMMANDER :
ASKS FOR MORE VESSELS
PAN.AMER|CAN CONFERENCE
On Affairs In Mexico Thought to BE
RespOnsible-Villa Crosses BOr-
der Into Texas-WarshipS
Await Word.

washington, D. C.-Secretary Lam
sing announced late today that only
one warship would be sent to Vera
Cruz and that it was going to relieve
whatever ship is used for transporta-
ton of the Brazilian and Guatemalan
ministers. He denied flatly that mil
itary or naval expeditions were being
prepared and declared such reports
only interfered with the success OF
efforts to settle Mexican affairs peace
fully.
Secretary Lansing said the increas-
ing number of acts of brigandage on
the border might necessitate the
of the army forces
there, but he insisted such an addi-
ton to the troops had no connection
with internal Mexican affairs.
Asks For More Vessels.
Commander McNamee, the senior
American naval officer at Vera Cruz,
has asked the navy department to
send a battleship squadron to guard
against anti-foreign demonstrations
which he fears,
Commander McNamee's report did
not give details, but officials here be-
lieve the anti-American feeling which
he reported is direct outgrowth of
the Pan-American negotiations held
in Washington for the adjustment of
differences between the factions. 9th
er developments in Mexico, such as
General Carranza's expulsion of the
Guatemalan minister and his differ
ences with the Brazilian ambassador
are taken as evidence of Carranza's
displeasure with the stand the United
States has taken. The gunboat Sac
ramento is the only American naval
vessel at Vera Cruz. With the arri-
val of the Louisiana, the flagship oi
the fourth division of the Atlantic
fleet, Commander McNamee will be
superseded in command of the Amer
lean forces by Rear Admiral Mclean
Anti-foreign demonstrations in We
ra Cruz were the subject of a lone
cablegram received at the navy de
partment today. Acting Secretary
Benson said the dispatch told Of
speeches being made in front of pub
lie buildings and on street corners ir
an endeavor to incite the people
against all foreigners, especially the
Americans. No acts of violence were
reported.
Rear Admiral Benson and Leor
Canova, head Of the Latin-Americar
division of the state department, con
ferred concerning the reports thai
foreigners were in danger at Vera
Cruz and then went to the office o
Secretary Lansing. Admiral Benson
1
said:
mo additional naval force has beer
ordered to Vera Cruz
It was inferred that Commander
McNamee had urged the dispatch O
vessels without loss of time.
The conference with the secretary
Of state was brief. When Admira
Benson came out he said: II repeal
that no additional forces have beer
ordered to Vera Cruz or to Mexico.
The gunboat Marietta has been or
dered to proceed from Progresso tt
Vera Cruz in order to have ship a.
the disposal of the Brazilian anC
Guatemalan ministers, who are leav
ing Mexico. 1t is assumed that the
Louisiana and the New Hampshire
will be held at Newport for further
orders.
Further reports are awaited before
any battIeships are dispatched tt
Vera Cruz, there being a genuine de-
sire ON the part of administration OF
ficials to do nothing to stirsup feeling
that might be embarrassing to th'
Pan-American conferences.
Secretary Lansing would not dis
cuss the situation today prior to hi
departure for New York to resume
deliberations whit he Latin-AmericaI
diplomats tomorrow. He asserted h
lhad talked considerably yesterda.
about confidential conference"
The Gautemalan minister reaches