Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-08-12
DATTLESHIPS START
MEXICAN TROUBLE CALLS
Louisiana and New Hampshire De-
part Hurriedly From New
REFUSE TO TELL DESTINATION.
Appeal for Warships Sent to the Presi-
dent for Decision.

strations at Vera Cruz, the battleships
Louisiana and New Hampshire sailed
Tuesday night from Newport. r. L..
presumably for theMexican port.which
is the seat of the Carranza government
Commander Luke McNamee senior
| officer in charge of the gunboat squad
ron on the east coast OF Mexico. has
reported to the Navy Department that
anti-foreign sentiment was rapidly in
creasing and directed particularly
against the United States.
lie advised that two or more battle
ships be sent TO Vera Cruz at once TO
impress the Mexicans with the pur-
pose of the Washington Government
to afford due protection TO the life and
property OF its citizens and foreigners
generally at the Mexican port.
The Navy Department promptly or
dered the New Hampshire and Louis
ian to held themselves in readiness to
leave for Vera Cruz, but. owing TO a
reluctance on the part of the State De-
partment to make any show of force
in Mexican waters at this time. sailing
orders were withheld until yesterday.
The matter was eventually referred
to President Wilson, and II is upon his
direction. il is believed, that the yes
sells have started south. Despite all
that was publicly known regarding
the plan to send the battleships to
Vera Cruz, Rear Admiral Benson, the
Acting Secretary refused to discuss
their destination.
The necessity of sending two large
ships TO Vera Cruz just at this time Is
regarded by the State Department as
peculiarly unfortunate The incident
comes OH the very eve of the reassem-
bling of the Pan-American confen-
ence in New York today, at which il is
expected that final APPROVAL will be
given to the first move proposed In the
Administration plan for the regen-
GRAFTON of Mexico
Apprehension is felt lest the des-
patch of the two battleships be mis-
understood by the Latin-Americans
and interpreted as meaning that the
United States intends to use force to-
ward Mexico, without any real regard
for the joint deliberations instituted
last week. The fear was also enter
tanned lest the announcement of the
despatch of two battleships to Vera
Cruz provoke the Carranzistas TO fur.
ther manifestations of hostility to-
ward Americans there.
II may be said positively that at the
present juncture the Administration
has no intentions of using force any
where in Mexico. Only the most ex-
traordinafy occurrences will move the
Administration to swerve from its
comprehensive plan for restoring
peace in Mexico. Officers of the state
Department experienced i'm dealing
with the Mexican people, have ex.
pressed the firm belief that the hostile
demonstrations at VeraCruz would not
result in any overt act which would
require the United States Govern
ment to resort TO drastic action.
If the anti-American feeling contin-
ues to grow. further additions will
be made to the American naval forces
in Mexican waters. II has become
known that the Administration is de-
lighted with the progress made thus
far in its plan for working out the sal
vation of Mexico in consultation with
the representatives of six Latin-Amer-
ican governments. Secretary of State
Lansing went to New York TO attend
this conference.
Officials are hopeful that one meet
ing will suffice to place the final ap-
| proyal OF the conference on the first
move OF the plan worked out. IL is
likely that definite announcement will
be made in New York today regard
ing the appeal which the United States
and six other governments are to send
to the Mexican people, urging them.
FOR the last time. to get together of
their own accord and establish a sim
gle government in Mexico which can
receive proper recognition.
II this appeal is sent promptly after
the conference, it is expected the as
sembly will again disperse to await
such responses as the Mexican leaders
may make to it. A report has been
received at the War Department from
Major-General Scott, who is on the
border talking over the situation with
General villa. II is understood that
General villa is agreeable to eyerv-
thing that General Scott has had ~
propose thus far.
1 O