Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 116, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1914 — REBELS IN WILD SEARCH FOR ARMS [ARTICLE]

REBELS IN WILD SEARCH FOR ARMS

Attitude of U. S. Regarding Embargo Causes Constitutionalist Agent to Act Quickly. V- -l V* . ’' • El Paso, Tex., May 15.—The attitude of the American administration with regard to the embargo on aims, caused tmmecyate activity along this section of the border, today. The shortage of ammunition has been recognized by those in close touch with constitutionalist affairs* t» be the greatest problem the government of northern Mexico had to face. i When the announcement came over the wires tonight that there was no prohibition against shipping arms and ammunition into Tampico, from the U. S., or elsewhere* there was an immediate exodus eastward of constitutionalists’ purchasing agents, and arms and ammunition salesmen, who hurried away to reach the point where they could come into closest touch with arms shipment. tfhe constitutionalist agents, according to well informed men along the border, were uncertain as to whether American arms companies -would sell their products to them. Although Tampico is open, it was said the most logical way to obtain ammunition for Villa, from foreign ports, was to transship the product to American manufacturers. It ha% been freely stated by the arms agents that a silent and tacit prohibition from the state department would prevent the sale of a single cartridge from the big makers, and would present a more effective embargo than the guards along the border. With the announcement tonight the problem of the constitutionalists is .solved, according to R/oberto V. Pesqueria, personal representative of (General Carranza. “We have understood from the first,” he said, “that the embargo was an order only of the war department. This makes it possible for us to enter vfaiat munitions of war we wish, through sea or gulf port as the navy has not placed an embaigo on Tampico. “I can say that the constitutionalist officials have little or nor fear of a blockade by the federal gunboats Bravo and Zaragoza. The vessels have not sufficient ammunition and could not establish a complete 'blockade, and I feel confident the commanders of the vessels wdll not attempt such a move.” Mr. Pasqueria said the constitutionalists had a large shipment oi French artillfery waiting to be moved into Tampico, which he thought would be landed. within a few days.