Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-21
MAY SEND CRUISER
TO MEXICO TO AID
AMERICAN CITIZENS
Taft Likely to Order Warship
to West Coast to Rescue
Isolated Residents.
MOVE HELD NECESSARY
BY STATE Department
Only Way to Learn Of Their Safety.
Action to Set Precedent.
NO NEWS OF TWO CAPTIVES
Rebels Ordered, Through Consul
Ietcher at Chihuahua, to
Immediately Release
Them.
Only Way to Learn Of Their Safety.
Action to Set Precedent.
NO NEWS OF TWO CAPTIvES

President Taft will probably send
10 enable Americans isolated in Sinaloa
and other states to leave the disturbed
districts. \ State Department announce
ment last night declared this action likely
in view of the general anxiety for Ameri-
cans in those localities
State Department officials pointed out
last n ght that with the suspension of
railroad communicatig@,an and the Interrupt
tion of the telegraph1service American
citizens on the west coast of Mexico, es-
pecially at Los Mochis, in Sinaloa, where
there are many Americans, as we'll as in
the vicinity of Mazatlan, are isolated.
This fact. together with many reports
of increased lawlessness on the west
coast, is causing much anxiety to Amer
leans in the region affected and their
friends in the United States.
Will Set a Precedent.
1t is because of the many requests
and expressions Of anxiety that have
reached the State Department, and in
order TO obtain news of the Americans
in the afflicted localities that President
within few days to afford an on
portunity to leave the disturbed dis
tricts TO those who may wish to do
State Department officials declared
thls action necessary because other
wise there is no way to learn of the
safety OF those Americans who are AT
present not only entirely cut OF from
communication with the outside world,
but entirely deprived by the Cessation
OF railroad traffic of any means Of leav-
ing"
The sending of an American vessel
10 the coast OF Mexico sets q precedent
In the present revolutionary disturb
ances as heretofore the United States
Navy has refrained from Cruising in
Mexlcan waters. A British vessel last
lear, however. landed marines on the
western coast Of Mexico to enable
foreigners to escape the e6ects Of a
threatened attack by rebels.
Fhe armored cruiser Maryland ia at
San Diego. Cal The gunboat York
town is en- route north from Guatemala
10 san Diego The gunboat Vicksbure
Is at Panama. 1t is likely the Mary
iand VIII be the vessel selected
No News of .Captives.
Up to the close of business Yesterday
the State Department had heard nothing
from American Consul Letcher at Chi
huahua. concerning the two Americans
VINO have been held in confinement bS the
rebels there since March 16 Imme-
oiateiy upon receipt Of report from the
consul that the Americans were being
neid, the State Department instructed
MT Letcher to present firm demands to
tne lnsurrecto government for the imme.
Nate release of the men,
vi course, until something f,,rther 10
heard from Mr.. Letcher about the might
OF these Americans the State Department
can only mark time. That, it is said
VIII Iurnlsh opportunity for Orozco to
show his friendship for the United states
The Department of State is nttorIv
Without details surrounding the arrest
ana detention of these men, Mr.. Letcher
shavins merely reported that he had dis
fouered s their plight. How the consul
round out that the men were being held
Is not known, but Assistant Secretar ~
Huntington Wilson said that il probah
was through the closer relations estah.
nsned between the consul and the rebel
euthorities as the result of his recent
note spread broadcast through Mexico
Ships on East Coast Ready.
KEY WEST, Fla. April aO-The battle
ship New Hampshire will arrive off the
Key West bar tonight or early tomorrow
and await the battleship Nebraska. Both
viii proceed to New Orleans according
to advfces received today by Rear Admit
raj Young. in commands here. but the SUBJ
sequent destination of. the Nebraska is
unknown.
1t was stated that-'tjrc battleships are
en- route to the gulf to be in Immediate
readiness should the situation in Mexico
demand intervention for the protection
OF american lives and property.
MEXICO CITY. April 2O-Federal
troops today evacuated Huitzilac. in the
state OF Morelos. where a series OF
skirmishes have been in progress for
a h.tx
erals and more than 100 Zapatistas The
federals retreated TO Cares with con-
siderable losses. Parres Is a small town
between Hutzilac and Cuernavaca. the
capital Of Morelos. Reinforcements left
Mexico City Immediately on receipt Of
the news or the evacuation, and will aid
in an attempt to retake the town
The minister Of the interior today said
there had been no fighting in the north
yesterday or today reported He as
serted that President Madero had received
a telegram from Gen. Trucy Aubert TO
that effect