Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-12-18
REBELS CAPTURE
TAMPICO, MEX.
Huerta'S Troops Defeated as u.
S. Guards Refugees.
BRITISH CONSULATE INVADED
Villas Men Seize Son of Wealthy Luis
Terrazas While He Is Under the
Protection of King Georges
Flag.

Mexico City, Dec. 13.-Despite gov
eminent deniaIs the rebels captured
Tampico Thursday 1t is reported
that the United States warships for
babe the Mexican gunboats to fire,
The government officially announced
that Tampico has not been captured.
Juarez, Dec. 13.-AmeTicans who ar
rived on Thursday from Chihuahua re-
ported that since their occupation of
that city the rebels had entered the
British vice-cOnsulate and forcibly
seized Luis TerraZas, Jr., a son of the
wealthiest land owner in Mexico, and
after carrying him through the streets,
placed him in Jail. The rebels also
served notice on 100 Spanish residents
of Chihuahua that they must leave
the city within ten hours.
The invasion of the British consul
ate and the seizure of Terrazas, who
had gone there for protection after
hearing that his life was in danger,
were reported to have occurred dur
ing the absence Of the British. vice
consul, Mr.. Scobell.
1t was said that Scobell, enraged at
the action Of Gen. Francisco Villas
army, was denied facilities to protest
to the British minister at Mexico City
or to the British ambassador at Wash
ington and that he then appealed to
the United States consul, Marion
Letcher.
All the foreign ministers are said
to have joined in a protest in what
was regarded as a violation of the
rights of asylum under foreign flag.
The story told by the Americans
was that Terrazas, who had been in
charge of much of his fathers vast es-
tate, including great cattle ranges, had
been left in Chihuahua after the evac-
uation by the federals to LOOK after
women and children members Of his
family.
1t was said that a remand for $780,
900 which young Torranzas failed 20
pay was the chief motive for his ar
rest. Luis TerraZas, aged father OF
the prisoner, recently arrived at
Ojinaga with the federal troops. His
great wealth has been a special mark
for discussion in the propaganda of
the revolution, while thousands Of his
cattle have served to feed both rebels
and federals.
Washington, Dec. 13.-While Next
can federals and rebels were continu-
ing their battle at Tampico Rear Ad-
miral Fletcher, commander of the
American warships in and near the
harbor there, cabled the navy depart
ment as follows:
81 have warned the leaders of both
sides that fighting will not be allowed
near the neutral territory assigned to
noncombatants Or near valuable for
eign property"
Admiral Fletcher reported earlier
in the day that the fighting continued
all night without change, but that the
Observation-Disclosures were making prog
ress in their attack on Tampjco. He
added that Americans and all other
foreigners had been taken to a neu-
trail zone for protection under Amer
lean guns.
City of Mexico, Dec 13.-Knowl
edge that Tampico was in danger Of
falling into rebel hands did not ap-
pear to disturb President Huerta. He
was the guest of honor at a banquet
at Tacubaya, suburb, to celebrate
the Inauguration of the interurban
railroad
General Velasco reported he retook
Torreon December after eight en-
gagements. He gave the rebel losses
as 400 men killed.
Preside, Tex, Dec. 13.-Luis Ter
razas, who owns millions of acres OF
Mexican land and is one of the rich
est men in the republic, crossed the
river with his family and went to
Maria, Tex. He was met by a dele
cation from Oklahoma City, Okla,
where he was invited to make his
future home.