Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-16

Washington, Jan. 15.-The De La
Huerta revolutionary blockade of Tam
pico harbor prompted the state depart
ment today to take steps to inform De
La Huerta personally that American
commerce in and out of Tampico was
not subject to any restrictions in its
! legitimate operations.
At the same time it became known
that representations had been sent to
! the Obregon government calling atten-
| ton to the embarra ssment occaSioned
American nationals through the clos
ure by Mexico City of the cable serv-
ice between the United States and Vera
| Gals will find a way to permit the
| reopening of cable service and at the
same time safeguard it's interests in
the matter.
| At the navy department it was an
nounced that steps to open radio tele-
graph communication with Vera Cruz
| for the aid of American business and
| other interests had been taken with the
| despatch from Galveston of the old
| light cruiser Tacoma to the Mexican
| port. The Tacoma was due at Vera
Cruz today.
The vessels wireless equipment will
permit her to keep in touch with naval
radio stations in the United States and
| army radio stations along the border,
affording a continuous channel of COM
munication regardless of the cable. 1t
| is understood that commercial mes
/ sages will be handled by the naval ra-
| dio service when the Tacoma reports
her arrival al Vera Cruz
| The Tampico blockade by the resolu-
| tionary faction had been called to the
attention of the state department by
American commercial interests affect
| ed. An emphatic statement of the
American viewpoint will be commune
Gated to De La Huerta. The channel of
| communication was not disclosed, but
it was stated there was no difficulty
in reaching the revolutionary chicftain
with such a communication.
In effect De La Huerta will be noti-
! fled that the Washington government
cannot permit the legitimate commerce
of its nationals to be interfered with
when that commerce has no connec-
ton with political developments in
| Mexico. Officials are of the opinion
that the De La Huerta leaders will find
it inexpedient to attempt enforcement
| VI tue plOShduc III tie case VI SuCn All
expression on the part of Washington.
| The question of the blockade came
| up during the cabinet meeting today
but was touched upon only briefly.
| 1t is regarded as significant of the
| policy of the administration in dealing
with the present Mexican situation
that it's communication is to be to De
La Huerta in person, and not as head
of n revolutionary or provisional gov
eminent. The United States does not
recognize the present movement in
Mexico as within the scope Of legiti-
mate revolutionary upheavals. but
| looks upon it more as mutiny in
the ranks of the army of a friendly
government
| 1t was that policy which dictated
! the action in selling surplus United
| States army rifles. ammunition and air.
| planes to the Obregon government in
| order that the outbreak might be
crushed and order restored. The at
tempt to blockade Tampico to Ameri-
| can commerce and to other foreign
commerce is looked upon merely as a
further unjustifiable act on the part
of mutincers and will not be dignified
| by the United States as n governmental
| measure.