Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-21
MEXICAN: FORCE
PERMITTED TO
ENTER ARIZONA
CRUISER RICHMOND
MENACES REBELS
OFF VERA CRUZ

Washington. Jan. 20.-The United
States cruiser Richmond lay off Vera
Cruz tonight in silent but emphatic
warning that Mexican revolutionists
must not interfere with American ves-
sells in the attempted blockade of Tam
pico harbor.
The cruiser Omaha and six destroy
ers. accompanied by the repair ship
Promethcus. are hurrying northward
from Canal Zone waters to add by
strength of numbers to the determina-
ton that American commerce is to be
protected in southern waters.
Arrival of the Richmond Off Vera
Cruz was reported during the night.
She is to take aboard first of all 27S
men of the cruiser Tacoma which ran
aground on BlanQuillas Reef last week
and who were landed on Mexican soil.
There was no break in Washington
during the day in the official silence
that has marked the attitude of the
American government with the Tam
pico blockade. At no time has any ad-
ministration official gone further than
to say that vessels had been ordered TO
Vera Cruz. In the case of the Rich
mond it has been added that she would
who were put ashore Immediately after
the wreck. 1t has also been said infor-
mally that no orders had, been given
for any of the eight warships now as
sembling at Vera Cruz to proceed to
Tampico or any other port.
Unquestionably administration off,
Gals feel considerable relief in having
received word of the arrival of Ad-
miral Magruder aboard the Richmond
at Vera Cruz. Not only has the predic-
ament of the men of the Tacoma in
volved some embarrassment in dealing
with the blockade problem, but the
navy department has had occasion to
feel anxiety in regard to the plight of
Captain Sparrow and the small detach-
ment of his crew which remained with
him aboard the Tacoma. With the
Richmond standing by. there Is no
longer great reason for uneasiness as
to the men either ashore or aboard the
wreck.
The Richmond also represents a
very definite change in the situation
relating to the blockade at Tampico.
The Washington government now has
available in Mexican waters fast
and powerful warship which can be re-
lied upon at need to protect American
merchant shipping from any violence.
CHouiu Tebel NeSSelS actually intercept
and attempt to employ force against
any commercial ship flying the Ameri
can flag there is every reason to be-
lieve that Admiral Magyuder is in pos
session of instructions from Wash
ington which give him wide discretion
airy powers to deal with the situation.
1t. would take him only a brief time
to reach Tampico.
There is still much hope here that
events will not eliminate in any ne
cessity for the employment of force or
even for the sending of armed vessels
to Tampico. The action of the Wash
ington administration in ordering the
naval demonstration at Vera Cruz in
stead of directing the ships to proceed
directly to Tampico is significant of
the lengths to which President Cool
idge and his cabinet advisers are will
ing to go in seeking to avoid any clash
with the Mexican revolutionar forces.
They are extremely hopeful that Adolfo
De La Hucrta and his associates will
see the wisdom of maintaining friendly
relations with the American govern
ment despite the fact that it must give
its support to the recognized constitu-
ional government in Mexico so far as
such questions as sale of arms and
similar matters are concerned.