The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-02-15
SHIPS TO MEXICO
Situation IN Mexico May De-
mand Drastic Action
BLOODY WAR IN MEXICO CITY

fui Enough 10 Guarantee Safety OF
Americana and other Foreigner
Embassies and Colonies Guarded by
Volunteer Bands.
When President Taft returned to
the White House at a late hour
from the wickersham dinner. the
news from Mexico was OF such grave
import that he summoned the secre-
tary OF state. secretary OF war and
secretary of the navy to midnight
conference.
II was decided. In view OF the num-
Der OF Americans wounded In Mexico
City and OF the damage to the embas-
sy property during the recent bat
ties, that two warships be ordered to
Vera Cruz, thus making four United
States fighting boats on, the gulf side
of Mexico.
President Taft issued statement
later. saying that the navy depart
ment had been instructed 10 place
two transports at Newport News. Va.
In commission. No further action is
to be taken unless the situation be
comes more grave. Should this hap
pen the transports will be used 10
carry troops TO Mexico.
The president expresses the hope
that actual Intervention may not be-
come necessary.
Madero Forces Are Repuised.
Madero's forces were repulsed with
heavy loss In attempts to capture the
Ciudadela Citadel and arsenal, In
which General Felix Diaz had fortified
himself. Four times General Victor
iano Heurta and General Angels. the
Madero commanders, assaulted the
Ciudadela and four times they were
driven back by the deadly fire OF the
Diaz machine guns.
Terrific Fighting Around Arsenal.
There was terrific fighting from 10
a. m. until after nlghtfal west and
southwest OF the Alameda. the great
city park, the battle centerlng around
the arsenal. The American consul
ate was In the line OF artillery fire
and half dozen shells penetrated
the walls OF the building. Shrapnel
fire slaughtered seventy Madero ru-
rales who were In position In front of
the consulate. Several Americans,
whose desire TO see the fighting took
them TO the housetops. were injured.
The following Americans are known
70 have been wounded:
DR.. n. II. McGresson. Lincoln, Neb.,
finger shot of.
Mark Johnson. negro. Madison, Ill,
shot In shoulder
Lloyd Osborne. serious flesh wound
in side. Mr.. Osborne Is stepson OF
Robert Louis Stevenson, the author.
Two other Americans, who were
watching the battle from the roof OF
the Berry hotel, but whose names
had not been learned. were also
wounded.
While neither side gained de-
cisive victory, the advantage rests
with General Diaz. who. attacked on
all sides, succeeded in holding his
position and in hurting back great
| ly superior force. II is impossible
at this time to give an accurate esti-
mate OF the dead and wounded, but
the reports are that the federal
troops lost twice as many as Diaz I'm
killed and injured. One estimate has
Il that $50 of Diaz's troops were killed
dero's loss was at least 800 killed and
500 injured.
Terror Reisns In City.
The city is In an absolute state Of
terror. Law and order do not exist.
AZ each others throats. neither Diaz
nor Madero can adequately protect
the American or other foreign resi-
dents. The American colony was
swept by the battle and hundreds OF
lives were endangered. The Ameri-
can ambassador, Henry Lane Wilson.
and the representatives OF other for
eign nations have counselled their
countrymen TO keep off the streets
and have organized volunteer guards
for the protection OF the embassies.
The lighting was President Ma.
dero's answer to the ultimatum that
Senior Cologan delivered from the
self-proclaimed provisional president,
General Felix Diaz.
| Ambassadors Make Protest.
Ambassador Wilson and Baron Paul
Won Hintze were stirred TO emphatic
protests after they learned OF the
death OF two American citizens. the
fatal injury OF another and the Sc.
we're injury OF German subject. The
Americans who were victims OF the
fighting were:
Mrs. Percy Griffith. an employee OF
the Street Railway company; both
legs shot on by a shell which explod,
ed In her apartment
Mrs. II. w. Holmes, an employe OF
the Dun agency; killed by the side o.
Mrs. Griffith.
- Wise, nm American. who was
blown TO pieces by an exploding shell
at tho gate OF the arsenal while NJ
tempting 10 deliver n MESSAGE 10 Cen