The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-10-23
BIG BATTLE rs
HOURLY EXPECTED
Over Thirty-Two Americans
Remain in the City, the
Foreign Consu1s Leaving
the Place and Taking
Refuge on Boats in the
Harbor-No Shots Yet
Exchanged.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.


Vera Cruz, Mexico, Oct. 22.-Mex-
ican federal forces commenced to ad-
vance on Vera Cruz at noon today,
and the rebels under General Felix
Diaz. who occupy the city, awaited
their approach calmly. No shots have
yet been exchanged.
Only thirty two Americans remain
in the city. The foreign consuls hay g
gone aboard boats in the harbor.
William Canada, United States consul,
has assumed leadership in the move
ment to protect foreigners and Amer
leans.
DEMANDS SURRENDER.
A demand for the surrender of the
city was sent yesterday by General
Beltran, the commander of the federal
troops. The letter was brought to the
rebel lines by Captain Limon and
was couched in most polite terms,
concluding with the intimation t'aat
If the rebels did not surrender duty
would oblige the federal commander
10 Use force.
When the local emissary entered
the city he embraced the revolution
ary cornet, who met him They had
been school. mates
80 eraf six AZ. epiyirs; 20 the
note. thanked s1neral Re1tran for the
polite form of the communication and
said he was sorry the situation would
compel him to offer a forcible de-
fense. At the same time he asked
General Beltran to fix the longest
possible time for the evacuation of
the city by the nom combatants.
General Dfaz then sent copies of
both communications to the foreign
consuls, asking that foreigners in the
city should make an inventory of the
effects left behind when they moved
out and promising to indemnify them
as soon as possible for the damage
that might be entailed by the battle.
General Diaz also addressed com
munication to Captain Charles r.
Hughes, commander of the United
States cruiser iDes Moines, saying
that he would conduct the situation
according to International law and
specifically saying sit is unnecessary
to disembarlx American marines on
my account"
SHOULD SEEK SAFETY.
The federal commander also ad-
dressed the American consul, saying:
II shall not attack the city before
the lapse of twenty four hours. and
during that time Americans should
seek safety"
General Diaz has since asked Cen
eral Beltran to name the time and
place at which non combatants could
pass both lines.
Captain Hughes has conferred with
Commodore Azueta- the federal naval
commander. as to what would be his
attitude during the fighting. Com
modore Azueta promised not to parti-
cipate nor to fire in the direction of
the city. Captain Hughes then warn
ed the commodore that any breach of
his promise would be considered a
hostile act toward the United States
Commodore Azueta will keep the
guns of his vessel trained on the is
land of Uluba in order to prevent
prisoners escaping from the jail.
Wharf No. 4 is to be a neutral zone
for the shelter of foreigners. The
warehouses are to be placed under
command Of Captain Hughes. The
Des Moines is to be moved to this
wharf and such measures as are con-
sidered necessary will be taken for
the protection of foreign interests.
Admission to the neutral zone will be
n. ~