The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-05-27
RIOT IN MEXICO CITY.
THOUSANDS DEMONSTRATE IN
FAVOR OF REBEL LEADER.
Diaz's Delay in Resiening Causes
Fierce Disturbance. i'm Which a
Number Arc Killed.

Mexico City, May "a Gnraged by
the announcement that President
Diaz and Vice President Corral would
not resign before tomorrow, specta-
tors in the gallery Of the chamber of
deputies this afternoon precipitated
q riot that has resulted in numbers
being shot down by police and troops.
President Diaz has had fever for
| five days taking liquid nourishment
| only
Until 9 o'clock tonight the mob en-
countered practically no opposition
by the authorities and apparently lit
tie restriction was necessary. Shout
ing vivas for Madero, they paraded
the streets Of the capital, but always
in an orderly fashion, except FOR the
noise and occasional instances of
vandalism which was Immediately
condemned by thousands IF march
ing men who joined in shouts of
Order! Order"
AT $3.50 o'clock it appeared that the
crowd was dispensing. The main
body had been broken into smaller
detachmonts, but at that time some Of
these had grown more demonstrative
in the big plaza in front IL the palace.
end the police determined that the
time had come for drastic measures
to be taken. The shouting, gesticula-
ting mass Of humanity was warned
to move on, but confidence born Of
better treatment earlier in the even
ing caused them to receive with de-
they were told TO dispense and again
no attention was paid to the order
Quickly their shouts Of ridicu!e were
turned into cries of anguish, for the
guns Of the police and the soldiers
We're firing into their midst hail Of
bullets. The living stumbled in a mad
rush over the bodies of the dead and
wounded.
The narrow streets leading from
the socalo were jammed with fleeing
men and many women. For few
minutes the guns of the government
We're stilled, but continued lingering
about the street corners Of the now
Thoroughly enraged as well as fright
ened partizans Of Madero resulted in
another order to fire at will. Sharper
and longer came the shooting. The
mob He'd, but contrary to all tradi-
tions Of Mexica. The troops Ind not
Vet in,imidated the rioters TO the
point where they were willing to sub
NIT. The force Of the iron hand was
felt, but despite the death it wrought
the mob refused to do more than
scatter into miniature mobs. Police
and soldiers began an active patrol
Of the streets, but the lawless bands
merely moved onward to another
street when the soldiers were sighted.
In the midst Of it all President Diaz
lay on a sick bed. 1t was learned on
authority this afternoon that despite
recent optimistic reports of his con-
dition the president has shown sew
eral degrees Of fever for the last five
days He declines to see all visitors,
including members of the diplomatic
corps, and takes nothing but LIQUID
nourishment. Mad9me Diaz told a
visitor this afternoon that the presi-
dents principal diet was warm milk.
His condition is considered serious by
members Of his family.
The presidential palace was crowd
ed with visitors, mostly personal
friends, who had called to pay their
respects and to show their loyalty
in the hour Of the decline Of his
power. There were not chairs enough
in the palace for them and they stood
on the stairways, in the parlors and
lined the corridors.
Almost at the moment of the be-
t.nning Of the demonstration the
American ambassador, Henry Lane
Wilson, drove up in his limousine and
entered the palace. His visit was for
me purpose of paying his respects to
the president. He chatted for some
time with Madame Diaz. the latter
expressing her regrets that the presi-
dent was too sick to receive any Wis
! itors. When the ambassador emerged
he found troops lined up in front of
the palace and mounted police at
either end Of the block.
The troops which did the shooting
! reinforced the police later.
/ The shouts Of the mob crying, "NiVa