New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-13
Rear Admiral Fletcher
Commands Both Sides
to Cease Firing.
THREATENS TO USE
HIS OWN BIG GUNS
Rebels and Federals Obey,
and the Battle Stops
on Third Day.
ENEMY HOLDING
PORTS SUBURBS
Insurgent Shells Falling in the
Heart of the City Before
Fletcher Acts.

Mexico Cty, Mexico, Dec. 12.-Rear
Admiral Fletcher, commander OF tho
American naval forces in Mexican wa
ters, ordered the rebels and Federals
fichtinq at Tampico to cease firing to-
day, threatening to open on them with
the guns Of the gunboat Wheeling-If II
his order was not obeyed.
Both sides complied with the order.
This information is contained in
dispatch received to might by Sir Lionel
Garden, tho British Minister, from Hear
Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock, OF
the British cruiser Berwick, which -
lying off 1'ampco.
The FederaIs hold the centre Of the
town Of Tampico and the waterfront.
Rear Admiral Fletcher has ordered for
eianers to take refuge on board ships
OF to consregate on the waterfront
where they will be under the protec-
ton Of his guns.
How many rebels are engaged in ina
attack on Tampico is not known, but
1t is estimated that their number is at
least twice that of the Federals, and
their operations indicate that they eN-
pect more men from Victoria, capital
OF the State Of Tamaulipas. which liea
( half way between Tampico and Mon
terey TO the north.
The rebels, who are in possession *
the railroad yards and shops and large
stores of material and equipment have
actually detached from their lines
enough men to undertake repairing the
railroad north and west from Tampico
toward Victoria. The damage that has
been done to this line, while enough to
prevent the operation of trains, is not
so great that it will long delay Ie-
sumption of traffic. Most of the de-
stroyed bridges, being small, can he
easily replaced.
Repairs to the road southwark from
Victoria also are being rushed, and II
is not improbable that the rebels will
be able to transport fresh troops and
additional artillery supplies in time to
use them at Tampico before the gov
ernment can get reinforcements to tho
port.
Occasional shells fell in the heart OF
the city of Tampico during the day,
and bullets from rifles and machine
guns were numerous enough 10 make 1t
advisabl for all residents not engaged
! in the operations to seek cover For
the most part the firing was limited 10
the artillery Of the rebels and the guns
Of the Bravo.
| The rebels hold the area between
Tampico proper and the coast, includ-
ing Dona Cecilia and Arbol Grande.
suburbs, where are located the storage
! oil tanks of the Waters-Pierce Com
pany, the Cowdray interests and the
| Huasrea Company. The Waters Pierce
refinery is at Arbol Grande. The
| Cowdrays also have a refinery there.
! but IL is not yet in operation.
According to reports received here,
| the rebels have not damaged any prop-
erty. but the firing, especially that from
the Bravo and a few Federal cannon,
endangered the tanks and the refinery
of the Waters-Pierce company.
The Federals have their positions in
that part of the city, behind a triangle
formed by the Panuco River, which is
really the city's harbor. and the canal
running into it between the city and
the coast Just below the mouth of the
canal and above Dona Cecilia lies the
Bravo.
To the west or rear of the city the
Federals have a defence in the Tanesi
River. which also flows into the Panu-
co. stream not easily crossed.
Trains entering Tampico from the
| west do so over a drawbridge, which
the Federals are keeping open. No
rebels haye yet appeared on that side
OF the city. to the astonishment Of the
government observers. The track OF
this railroad has been repaired. and
two trainloads OF refugees were taken
out of the town to-day. Failure OF the
rel els TO throw out of commission this
| line, which extends 10 San LUIS fotOSl,
before the Inauguration of their attack
enabled the government to materially
strengthen the garrison at Tampico.
| Three trainloads> of troops were run
into the town from the west.
IL is not believed likely here that the
500 men the War Office says left Vera
Cruz to-day for Tampico will be able
to enter the town, as the rebels hold
the banks of the river from the coast
| further in than Dona Cecilia.
The loss of life in the fighting proba-
bly, has not been great.
That the rebels appear confident
enough Of their strength TO consider an
attack on Monterey. even after using