Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1914 — U. S. TROOPS CLASH WITH MEXICANS, REPORT AT CAPITAL [ARTICLE]

U. S. TROOPS CLASH WITH MEXICANS, REPORT AT CAPITAL

War Department Refuses to Verify Rumor. GARRISON AND AIDS CONFER Army Officers Are Eager to Place 50,000 to 60,000 Men at Vera Cruz to Be Within Striking Distance If March on Capital Is Ordered. Washington, May 8. —A report persisted about the capital tbit a clash had come between the American forces at Vera Cruz and the Mexicans. The war department declined to comment on tliis report On receiving a long cipher cablegram from General Funston at Vera Cruz Secretary Garrison called into conference at the war department Major General Wotherspoon, chief of staff, and the entire general staff of the army. It was understood that refugees from Mexico City had Informed General Funston of a critical aspect of affairs in the Huerta regime, that a collapse might be expected momentarily and that conditions of anarchy ensue. The purpose of General Funston in making known these reports to the war department was believed to be to advise the Washington administration of what might develop from a fall of Huerta, so that if the American army were compelled to rescue foreigners or restore order it might be fully equippel for such an expedition. May Move 60,000 Troops. Although not officially announced, it is known that the high officials of the war department ar* eager to place at Vera Cruz or on transports within striking distance a large enough force, perhaps 50,000 or 60,000 men, to make an expedition to Mexico City if it becomes necessary.

Officials of the war department Relieve that if an advance on Mexico City is ordered it will be necessary to guard every mile of the railroad as the army moves forward and that a large force would show the natives the futility of resistance, whereas a division of 15,000 nlen might be subject to attacks along the route. The Amerfcan army officers regard the situation at Vera Cruz as likely to become desperate if anarchy breaks out in Mexico City, or the forces of General Maas should make an attack on their own initiative, irrespective of the Huerta government’s promise of a suspension of hostllties against tlje United States. A large number of bluejackets could be landed from the warships to reinforce Funston’s 7,00.0 troops and the marines in Vera Cruz, but to hold the position outside of Vera Cruz up to the waterworks, more infantry is believed to be required by General Funston. There were persistent reports that he had asked for more men, but the war department did not make any announcement on the subject. Secretary Garrison said after the conference that General Funston had transmitted information which refugees had brought from Mexico City as to conditions in the Mexican capita). He added, however, that no aggressive movement of any kind by the American forces has been ordered. •Plan for Eventualities. The conference lasted until nearly midnight. When Secretary Garrison and the army officers started home for the night all wore grave faces. The army officers are anxious not to make any move that might mediation negotiations, yet are desirous of being prepared for any eventuality. It is considered likely that at today's cabinet meeting the situation will be discussed, though the president and Secretary Bryan are believed to be finally set against any military activity at present unless a crisis develops in Mexico City beyond control of the authorities and foreigners endangered. A change of plans may be necessary if the reet of the second army division Is ordered to Mexico. Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood was expected to accompany this expedition If ordered and to take supreme command of the Amerjcan forces in Mexico. Gen. J. Franklin Bell, however, has hurried from San Francisco for Texas City and will arrive Saturday to take command of the second division. To Increase U. S. Army. One of the significant actions of the day took place in the senate. Mr. Chamberlain, chairman of the senate committee on military affairs, introduced a resolution authorizing the president to increase the regular army above the present statutory limitation of 100,000 men “in time of war or when war is imminent, or on other occasions of grave national emergency requiring the use of the regular armv.”

The resolution recited that “at thel present time there exists a condition, which may at any moment require the, fullest and most effective use of the, regular army of the United States.” Senator Chamberlain said that the, bill was not the result of any'conference with the president or the secretary of war. Refugees Make Protest. A delegation of refugees from the, 'oil properties at Tampico, headed by W. E. Lucas, called on Secretary of the Navy Daniels to protest against the withdarwal of American war vessels under Rear Admiral Henry T. Mayo from that port, leaving the refugees to be brought out on German and British war vessels/ Mr. Lucas, who acted as spokesman for the delegation, declared that they did not desire to leave the oil wells, but expected to ba put back on shore in a few days. They declared that the United States should! furnish protection to them and if nee-, essary send the army and navy to* police Mexico. Secretary Daniels told the refugees they should be glad that they escaped with their lives. He informed them, that Admiral Mayo withdrew his vessels at the suggestion of the command-, Ing officers of the British and German veseste, who advised him not to enter the city of Tampico because of th© strong anti-American sentiment there. The oil men are arranging to return to the Tampico district in view of thetassurances from both constitutionalists and federate that the oil wells will be respetced. Charge Reports to Bryan. Nelson O’Shaughnessy, charge, d’affaires of the American embassy at Mexico City, arrived from New Orleans and made a brief report to Secretary Bryan. Arrangements were made to present Mr. O'Shaughnessy to President Wilson today or Saturday. Mr. O’Shaughnessy refused to com, ment publicly on the situation in Mex-, , ico. The American representatives to "t-t tend the mediation conference have! not yet been named. Frederick W.i Lehmann of St. Louts, former solicitor! general of the United States, is a prob-! able appointee, as told previously. One of the delegates is likely to be a mom-< ber of the United States Supreme! court. Justice Lamar is mentioned as] the one under consideration. John W. Foster, former secretary of] state and former minister to also is being considered. Justice Mablon Pitney, though a Republican, is a close friend of the president and may be chosen. Justice Day was a member of the Paris peace conference and is a former secretary of state. Circuit Court Judge Georg» Gray of Delaware, also personally intimate with the president and an American delegate to The Hague, is another* who may be chosen. Henry D. White* former ambassador to France, is another.