El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-12-15
This was accepted by the refugees with
gratitude.
snnniards Drnft Protest.

chamber OF commerce SATURDAY d4LE4-
noon TO frame a formal protest against
their treatment by Villas rebels TO eX-
press their appreciation of the treat
ment they had received in FL PasO and
to make plans for tbs future
The Spanish merchants, business
men and manufacturers made a good
impression upon the FL PasO business
men who attended the meeting at their
I invitation. The session was dlgnlIIed;
devoid of class or race hatred and
serious consideration given by the
Spaniards of the situation in which
they have been placed by the fortunes
Of war in Mexico
Appreciate Aid by FL PasOans.
Eduardo Angoitia, recognized leader
of the Spanish colony made the prin-
cipal address at the opening of the
meeting. It was delivered in perfect
Castilian and was delivered IN perfect
of the affairs Of the colony, spoken
appreciation of the friendliness Of the
Americans and an appeal to all the
members of the colony to do nothing
while in FL PasO that would bring dis
credit upon their country or their col
Ony- BenltO Martinez presided at the
meeting and introduced Mr. Angoitia- In
sUbdUed tones, the speaker told hiS
cOuntrymen briefly what had happened
and what was to be done They lis
tened in silence, smoking their clgarets
and paying the closest attention to
every word their leader told them.
Cheers for Officials.
It was not until he proposed a cheer
for Gen. Hugh /, Scott, immigration
chief F. W. Berkshire and collector Of
customs T. L Cobb that the SpaniardS
threw off their depression They rose
to their feet in answer to the question,
in Spanish from the speaker, and an
sWered ''si-sI' and stood for more than
q minute when they cheered the army
officers, the immigration and customs
officials for their cOurtesies- This was
repeated later in the meeting when the
names Of consul Marion Letcher, Capt
SCObel, the British vice CONSUL, the
chamber of commerce and the business
men of FL PasO who had aided them in
their time of trouble, were mentioned. /
Villas Act @BarbarOls.,
Villas act in driving them from the
country, and confiScation Of their prop
erty was dismissed with a dignified
statement that it was Savage and bar
barOus"
Senior Angoitia said that Capt Scobeu
had been appealed to and that he had
interceded for them with Villa, but was
leave the country and their goods be
cOnfiScated- If any remained they would
be put 10 death, he told the British
vice consul, who was acting as the
Spanish consul. He said that all of the
cOnsuls had done everything possible
for them and that it was deeply ap-
preciated-
AT another meeting Villa said. in the
presence of more than % Spaniards, !
that they had always exploited the Door
people and robbed them and in penalty
Of this he was going to order them out
Of the country The Spaniards present l
had 10 stand for words and insults ad-
dressed TO them while he was talking
The stores and factories were occupied
, that same day by Villas men and money
demanded Of many merchants" said
AngOitia-
Guarantees Promised.
vincent T. DE La Retuera, speaking
In English, gave brief outline of
events in Chihuahua. for the benefit of
the Americans present, including the
directors Of the chamber of commerce
we were told when Villa came that
we would be given all guarantees he
SAID We took the advice of the for
eiSn colonies, Of the cOnSuls and others
and remained. When Villa arrived in
Chihuahua, acting governor FREDERICK /
Moye asked US to so TO a reception for /
NlLa- which many of Us did. We were /
ready to give money to his cause If it 4
was needed, but we, with others, asked !
that the fiat money be not put into
clrculatlon as IL meant bankruptcy for 7
every business man in Chihuahua
Stores are Looted.
After this meeting Villa gave a /
written statement in which he said he |
would give guarantees to all, even the I
Cnlnese, but excepting only the Span
ISL residents. He gave US five days to 1
get CUT or be shot like dogs That
happened last Tuesday. The dav after
"a
the first store to be robbed. The con- |
suls tried to protect the property, but 4
everything was taken that was wanted /
IN spite Of their protests. Had it not !
peen Tor the cOnSuls and the Americans /
IN Chihuahua L believe we would have !
lost our lives
He proposed q rising vote Of thanks /
10 the chamber Of commerce for its
FL PaSO.
Eduardo Angoitia read copies Of te1e-
grams and cablegrams sent to the min I
lsuer OF foreign affairs in Madrid and
Mexico City, the state department in /
" washington, and to wealthy American,
spanish and French business men
Relief Committees Named
committees were appointed to call /
on Cen Scott and thank him in person. /
and to care for the needy of the COLONY \
me members Of these committees are. |
10 thank Gen Scott: BenitO Martinez.
president Spanish Benefic in Chihua- /
nua; Francisco Villar president Span !
5Sn ciuD; vincent F. De La Retuera, |
Eduardo AngOitia !
To imDart help to the needy: Jose
Sahcnez Mlers Jose Sanchez MuseIra.
MaurlzIo Michelena, Iginio Gomez.
Press committee Vincent F De To 1
Alfonso. w
At the conclusion Of the regular |
meeting V. r Stiles, president Of the
chamber Of commerce, made a brief ad-
dress 10 the Spaniards, telling them
tnat they were welcome to anything
that the chamber Of commerce had, and !
invited them to use the chamber of 4
commerce rooms at any time for their |
Iiteellnss- rms was received with more 4
cheers while the men stood.
$1,000 Fund is Raised.
card catalOg was made of all the
refugees, their locations and financial /
condition in order that they might be |
cared for by their own people. 1t was /
announced at the meeting that fund |
or $4,000 had been raised for relief 4
"ork among the poorer refugees
VI the 400 trunks and pieces of bag
gage belonging to the Spanish refugees
stored Saturday in the chamber of COM ]
nefce basement only 20 remain. The |
refugees are all located in the hotels /
and rooming houses of the city and it 1
IS expected that by tonight the remains !
lhS baggage viii have bee taken awaT /
by Its owners.
Answers Are Received.
answers TO kilograms sent Saturday
oy the chamber Of commerce asking the |
aio OF the state department for the !
protection Of the refugees property in |
Mexico, have been received from rem /