New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-12
TAMPIC0 FOREIGNERS =
PUT IN SAFETY ZONE
Rebels and Federals Warned by
Rear Admiral Fletcher Not to
Fight in Restricted Area.


Washington, Dec. 11.-Rear Admiral
Fletcher, commanding the American
naval forces in Mexican waters. has
marked off a certain section of the city
of Tampico, adjacent to the water
front, stationed the cruisers chester
and Tacoma so that their guns protect
that area, and informed the leaders OF
the rebel and federal forces that there
must be no fighting in that vicinity,
or near valuable foreign property. He
threatens that if this warning is Vio-
lated the armed strength of the United
States will be employed to afford pro-
lection for all foreigners.
At a late hour all dispatches received
here indicate that no foreigners are in
danger and that foreign property is
being respected by the combatants.
Following is a paraphrase of de-
spatch from Rear Admiral Fletcher, as
made public by Secretary Daniels this
afternoon:
"A place of safety for Americans and
other foreign subjects has been as
signed under the guns of the ships
THE steamer Logician has been char
tered by the British Admiral and
manned by British sailors and is taking
on board British refugees. All British
residents were aboard at ) a. m.
Wednesday.
"AH German subjects have gone
aboard the German steamer Cecilie.
"A number of refugees are on the
Tacoma and Chester. Others are
ashore in buildings near by.
Driven Into the City.
THE Federal outposts have been
driven within the city limits. The Con-
stitutionalists control the left bank or
the river from the mouth up to Tampi-
CO."
Concerning his warning to the two
sides Rear Admiral Fletcher says:
81 have warned the leaders of both
sides that fighting will not be allowed
near the neutral territory assigned to
non-combatants or near valuable for
eign property"
The rear admiral added that no
steamer was available for American
refugees.
The Constitutionalist agents in Wash
ington say that it is the intention of
their commanders TO afford every pro-
lection to foreigners and not to modest
foreign property. They say that am
pie warning was given TO all foreigners
that the fighting was about to start,
and that any of them get hurt 1t
will be their own fault.
The State Department estimates that
the rebel force attacking Tampico num-
bcrs four thousand men, while the Fed
eral force holding the city is only half
that number. An important considera-
ton is whether the Federals have occu-
pied their time in constructing forti-
fications. on this point the State De-
partment has no information.
Tampico Important to Rebels.
A rebel victory at Tampico would be
of the utmost Importance, primarily
for the reason that il would give TO the
Constitutionalists a port into which
arms and ammunition could be i'm
ported from foreign countries other
than the United States without diff
Guilty. The American embargo on arms
would apply to Tampico. just as it does
on the border. Cuba has not recog-
nzed the Huerta government and
therefore would be under no obligation
TO restrict the expectation of arms
from Havana to Tampico.
1t In also believed that If Tampico
is captured the Constitutionalists will
be in a position to threaten Vera Cruz.
This might mean the beginning of the
end Of the Huerta regime, for If Vera
Cruz should be taken it is difficult to
see how the Huerta regime could last.
Another important result of victory
at Tampico would be that a consider
able amount of Huerta's revenue OBJ
tanned from import and export taxes
would be cut off
The report from Mexico City that
Huerta has made overtures for peace
and free election 10 General Car
rama, chief of the reyolutionists, has
been received with much interest, but
it is not confirmed from official sources.
Constitutionalists who make their
headquarters i'm Washington declare
that General Carranza will enter into
no negotiations with Huerta.