The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-11
The Louisiana and the New Hampshire Sent to Re inforce Commander Nc Namee's Little Fleet
PAN-AMERICAN PLAN
 TO PACIFY MEXICO TO
 BE PUT IN OPERATION
Appeal to Mexican Leaders to Stop Strife Will Be the First Step-No Threats Will Be Made

Corpus Christi, Tex, August l0.--A United States infantryman was killed by Mexican bandits al Palm Gardens. about two miles of Mercedes, Tex. shortly after 9 o'clock tonight. The dead man was one of four soldiers guarding Palm Gardens. The bandits appeared suddenly in the darkness and fired upon the guards. Their shots were replied to, but the result is un- known here.
 Washington, August 10.-Two American battIeships, the Louisiana and the New Hampshire, sailed to- night from Newport for Vera Cruz in response to an urgent request from Commander McNamee that his little fleet of gunboats be reinforced in view of anti-foreign demonstrations at General Carranza's capital.
 It was understood here that Pres ident Wilson himself ordered the warships sent, although no official would admit even they had sailed. Care had been taken during the day to point out that any naval or military activ- ity now only would he precautionary I 10 safeguard foreign interests and could not be construed as connected with the Pan- American conference to DC resumed in New York tomorrow to complete programme for bringing about peace In Mexico,
 Ofheal retieepee coneerning Inc movements of the battleships is due largely to fear that news of their coming, reaching Vera Cruz ahead of the ships, might accentuate the al- ready serious situation there. Com rnander McNamee cabed his request last night. and the two battleships im- l idediately were ordered held in readi ness 10 proceed
 Today, after conference between Secretary Lansing and Rear Admiral | benson, acting Secretary of the Navy, 1t was understood the sailing of the ships would be delayed pending fuller reports from Vera Cruz, and that if possible. the sending of any consider able additional force would be avoided because of its possible effect on work of the Pan-American conference.
 President Wilson. in New Hampshire was advised of Commander McNamce' report and several hours later a long code dispa tch reached the navy depart ment from Cornish Then II became known that the ships had been in structed to start immediately for Vera Cruz.
 Secretary Lansing. who left for New York tonight. to attend the Pan-Amcr- icau conference. would not discuss na' val movements, further than to admil that ship would be sent to replacs one which would bring the Brazilian and Guatemalan ministers to th' United States. He said that on ac' count of continued bandit raids on tn, border orders soon would be issued t' increase the American military forces . thore but at the same time declared emphatica1ly that neither this actiof nor any ship movements had any bear ing whatever on the plans of the Pan American conference.
 As he left the state department, MT Lansing said he expected to be bacl at his desk Thursday morning If W. have good luck"
 President Wilson will be back II Washington in time to attend a cabine meeting Friday, at which both the pro gramme of the Pan-American confer ence and the situation at Vera Cru , will be discussed. Secretary of thu Navy Daniels started for Washington tonight from Asheville. N. C.
 New York. August 1O--With the reas | sembling here tomorrow of the ambassa dors and ministers of six Latin-Ameri , can governments and the Secretary Q State of the United States. a defnit inter- American effort will be put into on crati to re-estabish peace in Mexico by friendly means and to restore tn , country to its accustomed place In tn , American family of nations.
 The conference will be concerned witt final details of the first step in a plan , (Continued Page TweIve)