The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-02-21

leave the building and go 10 her
home. on the outskirts OF the city.
McFau, serving in the centre OF the
city as correspondent was unable
10 reach his home during the first
seven days OF almost incessant fight
ling that preceded brief armistice. lie
frequently called up his wife on the
/ telephone during lulls in the battle,
but the game little woman never told
him Of her dire peril II was not I'M
iii the armistice came and McFall
went home that he learned the truth
Mrs. McFall's cheerful telephone mes.
lsages. meant 10 deter her husband
from risking his life TO reach her
side. had been sent In the face OF the
I fact that the upper stories OF her
house were riddled with bullets and
battered by exploding shells aimed
10 rout the group OF federal soldiers
who had seized II as fghting posi-
ton.
Victoria Hastings Wins Admiration.
Mrs. McFall took refuge in the base
lment There she remained with her
children during the bombardment.
coming mp stairs during lulls IN the ,
hghting, 10 prepare scanty meals and /
answer cheerfully her husbands eager
| inquiries over the telephone.
| Victoria Hastings won the unquar-
fed admiration of every man who was /
| IN a position 10 observe her bravery
Speaking six languages, she was
OF inestimable value in getting news
IN the foreign quarters. through which
she circulated chatting with Mexicans,
French, Germans. Italians and half
breed Indians, penetrating the most
DANGEROUS sections OF the battle zone,
alert and daring To a degree OF hero
ism. she passed through the lines
when the battle was at its fercest,
seeking news where no man would go.
Equally at ease with diplomats and
lpilados, deputies. begsars, generals
and privates, she gathered informa-
ton and ran risks enough TO make
a novel OF adventure. And throughout
II all she called II jolly good sport.
There were countless instances Of
feminine heroism OF the kind that is
not spectacular, but the homely, solid
sort shown by the women who cared
for the wounded. who visited the
homes OF the poor TO aid and soothe
and cheer. These women. the ma
jority OF them Americans, were as
brave as any soldiers who fought in
this already historic battle OF the
City OF Mexico.
How imminent was the danger OF a
| general massacre was known only 10
those in Official circles and the news
paper correspondents. During the
early days OF the bombardment there
was a menace in every movement OF
excitement The word had been
spread by firebrand politicians thar
80 w. a
| troops toward the capital and the half
craZed populace was stirring with
hatred against the jingoes.
False Alarm Of Intervention.
These reports. engendered by the
news that American battleships had
started for Vera Cruz, grew with the
telling until the movement took on
the aspect OF an actual invasion OF
United States troops. One old Mex
lean senator drove about In car
rage, stopping 10 harangue the peo-
pie telling them American troops had
been landed and Intervention was sure
TO follow with the loss forever OF
their beloved fatherland.
The agitator was promptly muzzled
by an American newspaper cores
pondent. who told him and his audi
lOIs ludl AIHeIlCdu intervention WOulu
come only 10 Americans we're shot
down Intentionally, and that the sen
ator. by his fiery Grafton, was try
ing TO encourage just such a massa-
ere. The newspaper man advised the
senator TO go home and keep his
mouth shut, which advice the orator
hastily adopted.
The attitude of this correspondent
was typical OF the manner In which
Americans in general tried to min
imize the danger OF Intervention when |
talking with Mexicans. Knowing that
the spread OF such infiammatory Ideas |
would result in terrible uprising |
against all foreigners, the Americans |
assumed a cool nonchalance in talking |
with the excited natives, assuring |
them that all talk OF Intervention VAS
pure foolishness, but at the same |
time always ready TO put up the best |
fight possible should the native popu. |
lace rise in a war OF determination.
The United States has reason 70
feel proud Of her sons and daughters
IN ell nonifal