Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-04-03
MEXICO CITY To
BEMADE ENEUTRAL
Negotiations Between the
Fighting Factions Are
Conducted By U. S.
MEANS SAFETY AND
FOOD FOR FOREIGNERS
American Ship Being Held
BY Carranza Is Made
Subject Of Protest

Washington, d. c., April 2.-Gener
al Carranza depends today on success
of negotiations between the American
government and warning factions in
Mexico for taking Mexico City out OF
the zone of military operations and
for the naturalization OF the railway
between that city and Vera Cruz.
These steps are designed to give
permanent security for the $4,000 for
eigners in the Mexican capital.
A declaration of neutrality Of the
Mexican capital would not only allay
apprehension for the security Of for
eigners there, but would eliminate the
famine menace and reduce the possi-
bility Of foreign complications.
American Ship Seized.
San Francisco, April 2.-The United
States authorities at Vera Cruz, Mex,
have been instructed by Secretary of
State Bryan to take steps looking to
the release Of the steamer Benito
Juarez, Of American registry, which
has been held by Carranza forces at
Acapulco, Mexico, since March 16.
This announcement was made here
last night by George w. Beermaker
vice president of the American-Mexi-
can Steamship & Trading Co., owners
of the vessel, who stated further that
the plight of the vessel had been
brought to the attention of Secretary
Bryan by Congressman Julius Kahn.
Mr.. Beerrnaker said he had been In
formed that.in response to a request
from the state department to Secre-
taTy Of the Navy Daniels that vigorous
action, If necessary, be taken for the
vessels release, instructions were for.
warded to Admiral Thomas B. Howard,
commanding the Pacific feet, who is
at San Diego, CAL, bearing on the case.
The Benito Juarez, 1t is alleged, was
detained by CarranZa officials on the
pretext that she never had been trans
ferred from Mexican to American reg
istry and because she had been en-
ployed in carrying munitions of war to
one of the belligerent factions Of
Mexico.
Need An Aviator.
Brownsville, Texas, April LACK
of an aviator today delayed operators
against Matamoros by the Villa aero
plane which came here from Monterey.
The Villa officers looked for an Amer
lean aviator in this section, but they
baked at the rate Of 500 per day on
"a 80 day contract, which one Ameri-
can with flying expenses asked for his
services. They said an aviator would
come from Monterey.
There was no news today Of three
other aeroplanes Villa officers said
were due to leave Monterey yesterday
While part of the biplane at the Villa
camp outside Matamoros was held up
In Brownsville after making repairs
here, awaiting adjustment of the Gus
toms situation, this delay was not ex-
pected to be serious.
Information reaching American
army officers here today indicated that
operations to reduce Matamoros are
likely to be slow These reports say
Villa has no means Of speedy COM
with his troops opposite
here, and that railroads are so torn up
that, except for cavalry, military
bodies can make only few miles pro-
gress per day.
Villa has been using aeroplanes to
help overcome the handicap of this
slow communication and lack of wires. |