The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-27
FEAR FOR THE OIL
Admiral Fletcher Is Fastening
to Tampico on Orders
To Protect Property Of Ameri-
cans and Foreigners.

Washington, Nov. N.-Whilo Rear
Admiral Fletcher has obtained formal
pledges from the constitutionalist gem
eral Aguilar, that there shall be no
interference with foreign property IN
the oil fields about Tuxpam. there 10
some concern as to whether that In
broad enough to cover the rather crit
ical situation at Tampico. State de-
partment oflhcials viii feel eesier when
they hear of the arrival OF the admiral
on his temporary flagship Rhode Island,
at Tampico where he is expected some
time today. The battleships Nebraska
and Michigan. and the gunboat Wheel
ing already are at Tampico and their
commanders have been instructed to
look after not only American but Brit
ish and other foreign interests In that
vicinity.
It is thought at the navy depart
ment that there il little danger Of
any action by the constitutionalists in
the neighborhood Of Tampico that
would threaten destruction of the
great oil tanks at that port. Though
no specific instructions have been CIV
en- to. the American naval command
ers, they are expected to act on their
own discretion in protecting the prop
critics. The real danger, If any AK
listed, would lie in interference with
the pipe lines running as far as 16
miles to the interior from Tampico.
Naval odlcers estimate that 1t would
require small army to protect the
wells and the pipe lines from interfer-
ence. The lifting of one cap from one
Of the gushers and the ignition OF the
rushing streams Of oil might carry
widespread disaster down to the coast.
Rear Admiral Fletcher il expected to
first undertake to get into communi-
cation with insurgent leaders near
Tampio and induce them to respect
the pledges given by General Aguilar
to observe the rights OF foreign pro-
perty.
Federals Retreat ON Chihuahua
Ell Paso, Nov. 27.-Incumbered
with wounded, lacking provisions and
left of the 1000 government soldiers
who for two days fought to regain
Juarez for Huerta continued their
struggle today to reach chihuahua
City, where they hope to entrench in
the federal garrison. In Juarez to-
day General Villa continued prepara-
tions to move actively against Chi
huahua City. which even now may be
In possession of constftutionalists un-
der Manuel Chao who was known to
have been in the vicinity of the capi-
tai when the fighting south Of Juarez
began.
For another day at least the COM
mander Of the rebels will permit his
men to rest while he assemblies pro-
visions and arms for an attack upon
chihuahua.
Desultory firing continued until after
dark when Villa with reinforcements
attacked the main column Of the fed
erals. Here the fiercest engagement Of
the revolution was fought. The main
body Of rebels traversing q direct line
to the south, had arrived at the des-
ignated point Of meeting just few
minutes before the flank reinforcements
appeared.
Hearing the sound Of conflict the
troopers from left and right wings.
obeyed the "adelant redoblao'' cry OF
their leaders and hastened into the
fight. The cavalry was ordered to make
flank charges upon the enemy. both
left and right and the infantry ran to
the aid of the main column threw
their weight on the scale Of battle and
turned what might have been a federal
victory into an utter rout