Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-28
4. :. GrNBoAT A. RErrCr.

Washington. ID. c., Oct. 2S.-The
sunboat Wheeling is held at Vera
Jruz for the particular purpose of af-
fording refuge 20 All political fugitives
as well as Americans and other for
eigners who might be in distress.
Because OF her light draft tie Wheel
inc Is able 10 approad shore, whereas
big batueships are obliged 10 anchor
si1 miles out from The SitFEz..s...a..
oricisls here say there Is no ques-
ton whatever of the right Of a naval
commander TO extend asylum TO such
fugitive as Diaz. as there are many
precedents to support such action.
Il is believed the Washington gov
ernment is prepared TO 90 further, if
necessary, and will furnish a marine
guard for Diaz. basing such assertion
Of extra territorial authority on the
general allegation of the existence of
state of practical anarchy reeogniz-
ed by international law as sufficient
warrant for the exercise of such pre-
cautions. II is presumed Diaz will be
soon transported 10 battleship In the
lower harbor and remain until trans
ferred to one Of the merchant steam
ers bound for another port
DIAZ ASKS PROTECTION.
Vera Cruz. Oct. 2S.-General Felix
Diaz. Jose Sandoval and Cecilio Coon.
MeXicans, and Alexander Williams,
an American newspaper correspond
ent, applied to the American consulate
during the night for protection. All
we're taken aboard the United States
gunboat Wheeling.
Coon and Sandoval have played
prominent parts in Mexican politics.
Coon was charged May "a, 1913, in
tn, chamber Of deputies by Querida
Mohena, now minister of foreign al.
fairs. with being the actual murderer
OF Gustavo Madero. The denunciation
was made in connection with a de.
mand fer appropriation OF $4,000 10
be paid Coon for service rendered the
government
FOLLOWER OF REYES.
Sandoval was an attorney at Mexico
City and adherent OF the late General
Reyes. one time secretary OF war.
who was shot while leading rebels to-
ward the national palace during an
attack by Felix Diaz in February this
year. Sandoval was arrested March
=. 1912. in Mexico City charged with
rebellion when he came there with
what purported TO be an autograph
.etter to President Madero from MsjCS
Magadoru Of the United States army
stating the bearer and many followers
OF Reyes in the United States and
Cuba desired to return to Mexico
City 10 resume their vocatiOns.
~ MIDNIGHT FLIGHT.
The fact that Diaz and two support
ers we're refugees aboard the Wheel
ing was no. discovered by the Mex
icau authorities until this morning
The flight took place after midnight
= IN. three len taking the risk over
roof tops. which were guarded by
armed men. into the American con
sulate. The three men dropped over
low wall and made their wy infC
one Of the rear rooms OF the consulate
When inside they asked that Consul
Canada be called. Apparently suffer
ing great excitement they assures
him when ne came that their lives
were in imminent danger. They de
clsred they had knowledge that al
order for their arrest had been issueS
and begged for his protection. Point
ing to the waterfront zoo yards. dis
tant. Canada said. There's a launch
YOU better make a run for" Th'
fuRitfves heistated as the street II
frcnt = the consulate vas patTolleG
BY detcptiyes. When they finally lef