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Show I REBELS OPEN A NEW CHAPTER If Government Officials Discuss Possibilities That May Grow i Out of Tampico Victory. REPRISALS ARE FEARED, Fleeing Federals May Do Tremendous Damage Extreme Ex-treme Acts Expected by Military Men. Washington; May 14 The reported Capture of Tampico by const Itutlon-alists Itutlon-alists alter a prolonged stubborn ' siege that ended with fierce fighting in the heart of the seaport, added a new chapter today to the exciting his tory of the Mexican Situation. While the South Ameriran onvoys and members mem-bers of the American mission prepared pre-pared for the Niagara Falls conference confer-ence that is to bp begun next Monday, Mon-day, officials in diplomatic and government gov-ernment circles discussed the possl-bilit possl-bilit of eventualities that might I grow out of the rebel victory It was believed the constitutionalists constitutional-ists immediately would move to im pert arras and ammunition through Tampico for use in their southern campaign If that were permitted some officials suggested today that Huerta probably would protest that the halting of shipments of arms for him at Vera Cruz was unjust International Situation. Despite the possibility of such a development the viw was token in many quarters that the capture oT Tampico would dissipate embarrassing embarrass-ing circumstances created by the menace to big foreign interpsts In the territory President Wilson was expected to make representations to rebel leaders aimed at resumption of operations in the oil field Constitutionalist Consti-tutionalist agents asserted the victory on the ea?t coast would Immediately relieve the international situation. They declare General Gonzales would protect all foreign property thereby eliminating any necessity for intervention inter-vention Carranza's -agents claimed Gonzales' Gon-zales' victory gave the constitutionalists constitutional-ists absolute control of northern Mexico Mex-ico and assured the resumption of commercial relations between interior cities and the markets ot the world. Extremc Reprisals Expected. That General Zaragoas federals might .ittpmpt extreme reprisals in their reported x treat from Tampico was a fear unofficially expressed here today it was suggested that as they fled back from the coast through the rich oii lerritory they might ignite tanks of petroleum, directing its flow into the river and threatening a dis astrous lire in Tampico Military ob servers here stated that such a move was not to be unexpected General Gonzales, it was believed, would send a force of rebels in pursuit to check any such attack. However with a few hours' start it was pointed out that the retreating Huertfl soldiers could do tremendous damage. further advices from Rear Admiral Mayo were awaited with anxiety. Unofficial Un-official reports that Huerta had re j moved General Maas. commander of the troops, who were driven out of Vera Cruz during the American occupation, oc-cupation, and named as his successor succes-sor General Pena. were received with varying Interpretations here. Fear was exprest-ed in some quarters that It might forecast an aggressive movement move-ment on Funston's troops. The opln ion was suggested elsewhere, however, how-ever, that the change in commanders might have been caused by military expediency, or that Maas might have incurred Huerta's displeasure Vera Cruz reports indicate that General Funston Is in fear of no serious attack. Huerta Delegates on Way. While the military operations, as the spectacular side of the international interna-tional drama excited absorbing interest in-terest today, the South American envoys en-voys and the American mission pro-ce pro-ce d( d with plans for their departure for Niagara Falls All fear that the Huerta delegation would not arme In time for the beginning of the conference confer-ence was dispelled by the announcement announce-ment that they were to proceed direct di-rect from Havana to Key West. They should reach Florida not later than Friday That would give them ample am-ple time to reach the Canadian bor der town for the beginning of the negotiations It became evident today to-day that the extent to which the dele gates would accept courtesies of the American government while traveling through the United States would de volve in part upon the discretion of the Soutli American envoys The Huerta agents had firmly declined to accept anything but most perfunctory attention while passing through General Gen-eral Funston s lines at Vera Cruz, and It had been assumed they would pursue that policy after landing at Key West from Havana. However this dispatch received by the envoys todav from Esteva Ruiz. Huerta's foreign minister, indicated the attitude of the federal mission might be changed: I am informed of the wish of the United States government to offer to our representatives to the mediation media-tion conference every safeguard or protection In American territory, I beg your excellencies to present our thanks for this courtesy with the un derstanding that your excellencies. In accord with the delegates on their arrival will determine the expediency in accepting such offer " Tho "occupation 1 of Lobos Island, which threatened complex developments develop-ments earlier in the week, appeared to have simmered down today to the point where it would cause no hitch in the program for mediation preliminaries. The fart that the Lobos Lo-bos lighthouse immediately would be turned over tr the Mexicans If they agreed to maintain the great beacon, j so important to shipping, was re- garded as ample assurance that the incident could not be construed as an I act of aggression, despite Huerta's ; protest to the envoys Tt seemed I possible that the Lobos incident, cou-: cou-: pled wirli the report that Huerta had ordered the suspension of lights on the Pacific coast to hamper American Amer-ican shipping would not be finally acted upon before the conference got ; under way. Disposition or the fie South Amcr-l Amcr-l icans under arrest t Vera Cruz for sniping operations, still was held lu abeyance pending a complete inquiry bj Secretary Bryan and the possi bllity that there might be a protest from Huerta over the prospect that the constitutionalists would import arms at Tampico did not appear to be i an immediate developments Tt was pointed out today in con-nection con-nection with the suggest'on that Huerta might charge discrimination if the Carransiatas attempted to land munitions of war at Tampico. that the position of the American government govern-ment has been that if held the cus toms house at era Cruz ns an act of reprisal When a shipment of arms recently was enroute to Puerto Mex Ice controlled by Huerta no attempt at-tempt was mide to prevent its landing, land-ing, although, m a manner that has not vet been explained, the Kronprin-:essin Kronprin-:essin Cecilie carrying the munitions decided not to put them ashore. Carranza's Next Move. With the capture of Tampico. attention at-tention to Carranza's next move was excited todav. Reports from Torreon stated the rebel soldiers were anxious to hurry the campaign against Rat'l lo and San Luis Potosi gateways to Huerta's capital. In some quartern the opinion was suggested that Car-ranza Car-ranza and Villa had been withholding withhold-ing aggressive action during the last ten days with the aim of capturing Tampico and thereby opening the way to replenishment of their ammunition ammu-nition supplies The constitutionalists constitutional-ists have asserted they would have plenty of ammunition for their hard southern campaign, but the renewal of the embargo along the Rio Grande embarrassed them, it is believed. The navy department today received re-ceived a letter of thanks from refugees refu-gees taken aboard the Dixie at Tampico Tam-pico The note expressed gratitude' for the ' kind and generous consideration" considera-tion" extended by officers and crew of the ship to the Americans who fled from the threatened territory. |