The Washington herald., 1913-12-14
DISPATCHES FROM ADMIRAL
FLETCHER TELL OF SERIOUS
CONDITIONS IN TAMPIC0

Dispatches received at the Navy De-
partment yesterday revealed a condi-
ton Of affairs at Tampico more serious
and menacing to Americans and other
foreigners than had previously been
appreciated by even administration on
cials. Admiral Fletcher frankly stated
that the situation seemed DO be grow
ing worse, and reported such emer-
gency measures as he had taken for
the protection Of life and property.
Admiral Fletcher reported that he
had moved all the refugees who had
been gathered In the confines of the
neutral zone he established on the
beach. from the shore to the battle
ships lying outside the harbor, and he
has ordered all Americans tp leave the
city. All the women and children of
the foreign colony have be&n removed
to places of safety on the ships, though
a few of the men insisted on taking
their chances and remainin 3 in Tam
pico.
From 4 o'clock Friday afternoon the
gunboats Tacoma and Wheeling wereNe
gagged in taking the 500 REFUGEES gathered
on shore out to the battle lships New
Jersey. Rhode Island. and Virginia, lying
outside This work was accomplished By
inc COnQlNlO0t
favorable. In view OF the fact that the
ships OF the American squadron were al
ready supposed to have on bdsrd all the
refugees to whom accommodations could
conveniently be given. II is ASSUMED here
that the situation must have become
much more threatening to indtce the ad-
miral to pack hundreds OF other refugees
on the three battle ships. The battle
ships have practically no liabilities for
r. a
in addition to their regular cotnplements
Of officers and crew.
No Foreigners Hurt.
Admiral Fletcher, in reporting what
he had done for the safety OF the Amer
leans and other foreigners at Tampico,
asked that public announcement be made
that no foreigners have been injured dur
ing the fighting at Tampico.
He also has Informed the Navy Depart
ment that no foreign property has been
injured or destroyed by either side The
admiral requested the department to an
nounce for him that it was quite impos-
sible for him to undertake to answer
private messages regarding the safety
or whereabouts of individuals believed to
be at Tampico.
The situation, so far as the comfort Of
the refugees is concerned, will be greatly
relieved late today, II is believed, when
the army transport Sumner and the Ward
liner Moro Castle are due to arrive there.
The transport was ordered from Calves
ton Friday night, and sailed for Tampico
while the liner has been char
tered by the Navy Department to pro-
coed at once to Tampico from Vera Cruz.
Upon these two vessels are abundant &C
and also plenty of food
for all the refugees at Tampico not cared
for on the ships chartered for the purpose
by the British and German naval COM
manders.
Soldiers Are Hanged.
Admiral Fletcher stated that in the
name of humanity he had protested to
the commanders Of the rebel and federal
forces against their practice of killing
prisoners. About sixty-five, the admiral
stated, have already been put to death
by hanging or shooting, both sides be-
ing about equally guilty in this respect
The federals Friday morning hanged
three revolutionists in full view of the
and water front
The latest dispatch received from the
admiral was dated at / o'clock yester-
day morning. At that hour, he said
fighting was still going on, with Skin
mishing between the land forces, while
the federal gunboat Bravo is Smelling the
position of the constitutionalists FEEDER
al re-enforcements are reported to be
on the way from Vera Cruz in the gun
boats Progreso and Vera Cruz. The in
dications are, 1t is reported, that the
are likely to succeed event.
ually In their attempt to take the city.
Appeal from spaniards.
Appeals for help were received at the
State Department yesterday on behalf
Of the Spanish residents Of the city of
recently occupied by the
leader, Villa Villa has is
sued a proclamation declaring that all
Spaniards remaining in Chihuahua af- |
Ter ten days will be executed. They are
not to be permitted to take their prop |
srty with them, It Is reported. In |
answer to the appeal for protection, for
warded through Consul Edwards at
Juarez, Secretary Bryan replied that
.ffort would be made to secure for the |
spaniards the same degree Of protec-
ion as for all other foreigners, and in
structed that representations be made
o Villa, demanding proper treatment Of |