The Washington herald., 1913-11-27
Americans Are Safe
In Oil Fields, Says
Report Of Admiral

The anxiety of the administration re-
garding the international situation on
the oil coast of Mexico was considerably
allayed yesterday on the receipt of re-
assuring reports from Rear Admiral
Fletcher, commanding the American
squadron in Mexican waters.
Because of the pressure brought to bear
in favor of landing American forces at
Tuxpan and Tampico for the purpose
Of guarding the oil properties, and re-
ports brought to their attention by the
British authorities, the administration
sent Admiral Fletcher to make a per-
sonal investigation of the situation in the
oil fields. John Lind. the Presidents spa-
cial agent in Mexico, accompanied the
admiral on his flagship, the Rhode Is
land.
Admiral Fletcher reported that no
American had lost his life. been injured.
or thrown out of employment in the oil
fields because of the revolutionary dis
turbances. The only specific injury. he
said, was due to unrest among the labor
ing element, and a somewhat reduced
output.
mo pipe lines, no storage tanks. and
no oil wells have been destroyed or in
jured," said Admiral Fletcher in his ca
bled report yesterday.
Admiral Fletcher considers Tuxpan
eral soldiers, and a gunboat. He prob
ably will go on to Tampico in a day or
two.
This report Is regarded, of course. as
furnishing ample evidence that the land
ing of armed forces asked for by the
oil interests is entirely unnecessary. 1t
is counted upon to put a stop, for the
present, to the numerous appeals from
at home and abroad that the United
States take drastic action on behalf OF
the oil interests. 1t is admitted, how
ever, that an overt act upon the part
of the rebels controlling the oil district
may, at any time, convert the situation
into a really dangerous one.
So far as relations with the Huerta
government are concerned. the Mexican
Nothing of consequence Is passing be-
tween Washington and Mexico City. and
officials have ceased for a time to think
about Huerta and his progress. 1t is in
sisted that no action with respect to
affairs in Mexico is expected or contem-
plated at this time.
Only meager reports have been received
at the State Department regarding the
fighting south of Juarez, though it Is
generally accepted that the federals were
badly defeated by Villa and his forces.
Constitutionalists here declare the fed
erals are in full retreat.
1t was reported yesterday that Victoria,
capital of the State of Tamaulipas, has
been taken by the rebels.
Consultation between officers of the
State and War Departments yesterday re-
quilted in authorization to Gen. Bliss,
the border forces, to per-
nit wounded soldiers to be brought over
rom Juarez to FL Paso. Only those seri-
ously wounded as to require hospital
reatment will be permitted to come over.
The Red Cross is making all preparations
o take care of the wounded. The rebels
lsked the State Department to agree to
,ermit the wounded to come back as soon
is they had recovered, but were informed
n reply that the United States govern
nent is making no promises as to their
uture disposition. and that they must
lecide for themselves whether they want
o come to the Texas city without con-
Iitions.
Orders went out yesterday for the send |
ng of the Twentieth Infantry. now sta |
ioned at Fort Douglas, Utah, to FL Paso |
This was practically decided upon last |
week, and is due to the anxiety of the |
eople OF El Paso as reported through the |
rexas Congressional delegation.