The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-14

Washington, December 13.-With
practically all foreigners out OF Tam
pico and given temporary places Of
safety aboard wnrships in the harbor,
tension over possible international
complications during the fighting there
was relieved to-day.
Latest dispatches received by the
Navy Department reported the battle
continuing with increasing vigor. These
advices say the American gunboats
Wheeling and Tacoma have proceeded
some distance UP the river Mt Tam
pico. ilnd are directly opposite tho
town. Not far behind is stationed
the scout cruiser Chester Several
miles away just outside the harbor
the battleships Rhode Island. New Jer-
-sey and Virginia are lying at anchor.
The latter two ships arrived to-day to
afford additional refuge for foreigners.
Rear Admiral Fletcher has authors
t. to charter any vessels he can get to
care for refugees, but most OF them
have hoen transported to the three
battleships outside the harbor. Tho
American passenger liner MORO Castle
will arrive Tomorrow to take away
refugees who care TO go.
According to official dispatches Com
stitutionalist forces now are on both
sides of the river for some distance
inland, and approaching the city from
west few miles. but bends southwark
around Tamplco. Beyond this bend
and in close proximity to the city It.
self. officers on the gunboats Wheeling
and Tacoma can view the fighting.
Close Watch on Situation.
Only few male foreigners and no
women remain ashore in the neutral
zone. and these can be taken aboard
at a moments notice. American Of
iicers are keeping close watch on the
situation. however, because of possible
danger TO foreign property. Warnings
have been given both sides not to in
1ure valuable foreign property" which
is presumed to include the oil tanks
and properties in that vicinity
Rear Admiral Fletcher has the
widest latitude in his instructions.
The protest he mado yesterday to the
federals against the inhumantty of
hanging Constitutionalist prisoners in
full view OF the town. was on the rear
admirafs own initiative. but he was
commended for il by Secretary Daniels.
NO mention was made in any of the
reports OF Admiral Fletcher Of an al
legged threat OF the American officers
to open fire unless both sides stopped
firing Yesterday. Officials were disin-
cllned to believe the report MANY of
them suggested that it may have
been confused with the rear-admirars
order TO all Americans to leave Tam
pico. The origina! dispatch vas
credited to Rear-Admiral Cradock. the
British commander, who is NOT 40
close 10 the scene OF fighting no ara
the American officers. according to ad-
vices here.
Federals Ready for Attack.
ojinaga. Mexico. December ia.
ferched on the hill OF Oiinaea which
commands sweeping view OF the
nearby desert and canyons the Mexi-
can rtdcral army to-day had it's guns
! aineu IN expectation OF an attack
ny The 1000 or 5000 rebels who ara
raRiuiy surrounding the town.
erals. with trenches and forts fixed for
resistance: will make it impossibis
for the rebels TO storm the piace witi,
out heavy loss OF life The rebels win
nave to climb almost straight I'M r.
me town and be constantly exposed to
hre except for slight shelter afforded
by mesquite bushes ou
AFTER their retreat from Chihuahua
haze resigned themselves to the at
tack, and the rebels, under GeneraI
Herrera. have announced their intnn
non OF attacking from three sides 70
force surrender or To drive the enen,S
across the river into tho United States.
Four more troops OF United States
cavalry reinforced the border patrol
al Preside to-day. The American milf.
tary authorities have notified hn.h
sides that no shots must be fred aeroes
the river.
Complete Rout OF Rebels
Mexico city, December I3.-Heavo
BON bardment by two eunboats md thn ~