The Washington times., 1904-09-25


the officers of the Conservative forces
with whom 1 must come in contact, but
my passport served TO satisfy all an,
quiries although in the towns we suf-
fered some little annoyance from being
questioned by the people we met
gardiug our business and who we were.
At last ! hit upon the happy expedi-
ent Of replying in English TO such in
quiries As my answers were. generally
unintelligible to my questioners, they
usually would turn away from me in
disgust. Pedro. however, would some
times explain that I was an Englishmau
and surgeon. This answer. though not
true. they would often accept
We proceeded the first day as far as
Porote. a distance of eighty miles. going
on to Jalapa the next day, thirty-five
miles and reached Vera Cruz on the
third day.
A few miles out from Vera Cruz we
had managed to draw away from the
troops, and then rode boldly into the
besicged city.
OF course. we were challenged. but we
Immediately gave ourselves up and were
placed us.der guard after first being
searched and relieved Of our arms. Al
| terward, as the account we gave Of
ourselves appeared plausible. at my re-
quest. / was permitted to see the Amer
lean consul
1 found this official an obliging per-
son. He promised 70 make IL easy for
me to see the President, and said that
he would speak a word for me himself
couple of soldiers had accompanied
me to the American consulate, and that
night / was kept under guard. but my
treatment was most courteous.
L gathered from what I saw, and
chance word now and then which /
overheard, that every precaution was
/ being taken TO guard against surprises,
and that active preparations were being
made to withstand the siege
/ There was little fear that the city
would be blockaded by water Neither
side had ships enough to carry on much
/ Of a navel warfare. or TO make the
blockade of any port effective II was
/ mysteriOUsly intimated to me, though.
/ that something was going TO happen by
! sen.
Something did happen. true enough.
The captain Of United States warship
/ in the harbor proved a valuable ally 20
/ the Liberals. though under what princi-
pie OF international law he had a right
10 interfere is not quite clear
/ While waiting at the palace the next
| day, where I was 70 have an audience
with the President, ! made the ac-
quaintance OF one Of the guard. an
American. James Moore. He came for
ward and spoke 20 me when ne saw
that was one Of his own countrymen
You have come to offer your serv-
/ ices in behalf of constitutional govern
ment in Mexico, have you?" he said.
] I rpu1fa1 that had 49,.
promised a personal interview with
I President Juarez. and that ] hoped shat
/ might at least be permitted 10 enlist
as a private.
/ You have seen service?' he asked.
NO, I replied, though 1 have had
some military training"
I thought so. You can depend upon
] II, you will receive something better
than the ranks. From what 1 have
heard-fhis between Us-you viii receive
a commission There are a number Of
Americans in the army They make
I good officers; they are good fghterns.
cool in action, and never lose their
/ heads One Yankee is worth n dozen
I Mexicans in a hot encounter"
/ An orderly informed me that the Pres
/ ident would see me. I was shown into
a room where were gathered a number
I Of officers. The President was writing
/ at a table. An officer introduced me.
'Senor Harvey" said the President.
1 laying down his pen. you have come to
I offer your services for Mexican liberty.
I / am informed.
Il have, your excellency." I replied,
bowling. 81 trust that my services may
( be accepted
They certainly will be-" he said.
You have been well spoken OF. and
! commended to me in the highest terms.
1t surprised me. for 1 was an entire
| stranger in the city, and brought no
I letters.
/ In some way, probably through secret
| emissaries. it appeared that ne had been
I advised concerning me 1t might have
/ been that Don CortInia had sent him
word This seemed to be the only rea-
/ sonable explanation I could arrive at.
L was about TO reply when some one
/ spoke 10 the President.
I While waiting I had a good opportunity
OF observing this remarkable man, who,
/ though a fun blooded Indian. command
/ ed the admiration and respect of many
of the first men Of the Republic. He
was square built. a little under medium
/ height. had a large mouth. and the
piercing black eyes of his race. I noticed
/ that a large scar extended across his
face. but not so as to noticeably dis
/ figure him.
He had a frank. kind countenance; and
I a pleasing and congeniaI way Of talk
/ ing. He appeared 10 be rather more
communicative than reserved. He had
none of the haughtiuess Of the Spanish
+ race.
/ As if nothing had interrupted him, he
again continued.
Ell have" he said. speaking quietly.
and with elaboration. under advice
/ of the American consul, consented to
receive cid from American volunteers.
f They have proven good soldiers so far.
and I appreciate the service they are
/ rendering us"
/ An officer brought in message. and
/ handing IL to the President. waited with
! folded arms for him 10 read it,
This is important" said the Presi-
| dent handing the dispatch TO another
/ officer. eve must strengthen our
guard mt the threatened points"
Turning 10 the table, he wrote an
order. and handed It to the officer who
/ had brought the dispatch. AS the officer
T GFuartaG he again turned TO me