Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-12-13
FLETCHER MAKES A PROTEST
AMERICAN ADMIRAL ASKS THAT
THE PRACTICE BE STOPPED
FOR HUMANITYs SAKE
HUERTA'S men FIGHTING
UP TO / O'CLOCK TODAY THEY
STILL ARE HOLDING POSSES
SION OF THE PLACE


Washington, Dec. 13.-Rear Admi-
raj Fletcher cabled from Tampico un-
der date Of a. m. today, that at 4
p m. yesterday he had ordered all
Americans out Of the city and that
before midnight he had transferred
about 500, who were aboard the
Wheeling and Tacoma, to the battle
ships Virginia, Rhode Island and New
Jersey.
All Foreigners Are Safe
The admiral reported that all for
eign women and children were out
of the city at 1 o'clock this morning,
but that some men preferred to re
main. He also stated that the situa-
tion was getting worse" and that
skirmishing continued, with the Mex
lean gunboat Bravo shelling the posi-
ton of the constitutionalists
Admiral Fletcher asked the navy
department to make public announce
ment that all foreigners were safe
and that it was impossible to send
personal messages to all who have
relatives on the ships. The navy de-
partment has engaged the Ward liner
MORO Castle, which wiil arrive at
Tampico early tomorrow, to receive.
such refugees as may wish to leave.
Dispatches from Rear Admiral
Fletcher at Tampico, received here
early today and sent late last night,
say the American admiral had pc
remptorily ordered the fighting to
stop.
Admiral Fletcher's dispatches were
withheld from publication until after
they had been submitted to Secretary
Bryan and Secretary Daniels, who
was late in getting back from Balti-
more. The battleship New Jersey
has been ordered from Tuxpam to
Tampico to join the American fleet
in the fighting.
TO Protect spaniards
Secretary Bryan today instructed
Consul Letcher at Chihuahua to pro-
test to General Francisco Villa, the
constitutionalist commander, against
the expulsion of Spanish subjects from
that city. Secretary Bryans action
was taken on representations made
by the Spanish ambassador. No off
ciaI word has reached the depart
ment concerning the threatened con
fiscation Of the property Of the Span
Iards.
The navy department later issued
this statement:
"a cablegram has been received
from Rear Admiral Fletcher, sent
from Tampico, Mexico, 2 p. m. Fri
day, which conveys the information
that there has been no cessation of
fighting, but that the nghting is not
serious.
"Aguilar was reported to have just
arrived with 5000 men and taken a
position on the right bank Of the
river. He said the Mexican gunboats
Vera Cruz and Progrezo were en-
route to Tampico.
admiral Fletcher has received re-
ports that both federals and consti-
tutionalists have shot or hanged all
prisoners taken, numbering about 65.
Three of these men we're hanged in
the forenoon from within the federal
lines in full view of the shipping and
city. Admiral Fletcher xade formal
protest in the name of humanity
against the practice. He reports that
no foreigners or property have been
injured and that the New Jersey is
en- route to Tampico
"The army transport Sumner leaves
Galveston today for Tampico Ar
rangements have been made to care
for all Americans at Tampico. They
number about 500."
Officials did not attach any sig
nificance to the fact that Admiral
Fletcher made no mention in his dis