The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-12-13
TRANSPORT GOES TO TAMPICo
TO TAKE ABOARD REFUGEES
REPORTED TO BE IN DANGER

For the relief of 500 Americans and
other foreigners in danger because OF
the fighting at Tampico, Secretary OF
State Bryan yesterday called upon the
War Department to send an army trans
port to the Mexican port at once. In
accordance with Mr.. Bryan's request,
the TRANSPORT Summer, now at Galveston
Tex, will leave at once for Tanpico'
and should arrive there WITHIN iorIS-
eight hours at the outside.
Mr. Bryan's request was based upon
the reports of conditions at Tampico
furnished the Navy Department by Rear
Admiral Fletcher, commanding the Amer
lean squadron in Mexican waters IL
was learned that Admiral Fletcher went
so far as to say that either a snip must
be sent for the relief of the refugees on
shore Or he would have to land American
forces if proper protection was 10 De
afforded the foreign noncombatants. Ihe
admiral recommended that the ward Line
steamer due at Vera Cruz, be requlsl-
TONED into the service of the United
states and ordered at once TO Tampico.
The sending of the army transport was
decided upon instead, however.
The British and the German naval
commanders at Tampico haye already
chartered vessels upon which they have
placed refugees from the city OF their
respective nationalities- One hundred ana
fifty British refugees are on board the
Logician. while $50 Germans are on the
Kron Princessin CeciIie, of the Hamburg
American line Admiral Fletcher has
put $50 Americans on board the ships in
his squadron at Tampico, but has no
room for any of the 500 additional Amer
leans and other foreigners gathered on
shore in the neutral zone he has estao-
Iished near the water. The admiral stated
that while the guns of the American
Eunboats Wheeling and Tacoma ana the
cruiser Chester cover this neutral terri
tory, adequate protection could not De
afforded the refugees If they continue
tn remain on shore without the landing
of armed forces. As an alternative TO
this drastic action, which the United
States has carefully avoided thus far, the
admiral asked that a ship be placed at
his disposal with sufficient accommoda-
tions and food for the refugees.
Sumner Now Mt Galveston.
The transport Sumner is one Of a num-
her of such vessels held by the War De-
partment at Galveston since last Feoru-
airy, in readiness to convey to Mexico
the troops of the Second Division mobil-
lied at that port at that time. Inc SUM
ner is under orders to be ready to sail on
shorS notice, and Is presumed 10 De Iuily
coaled and provisioned at all times. 1t is
estimated that If no serious delay is en-
countered in getting her away, she should
reach Tampico, distant about 400 miles,
some time on Sunday.
According to the latest advices re-
ceived at the Navy Department. fighting
continues at Tampico between federais
and revolutionists, without definite result
Because of the Typographical situation.
the cit: being nearly surrounded by water,
many officers here believe that the fight
4 ing for possession of Tampico may be
prolonged, despite the fact that the fed
eraI garrison is outnumbered by the
rebels, two to one. According to reports
received here, the federals have between
two and three thousand men in the city.
and the revolutionists between five thou
sand and six thousand.
Representatives of the constitutionalists
here assert that the attacking force at
Tampico are about to be REINFORCED by
5000 men coming down from Victoria.
They predict the ultimate capture of the
city by the revolutionists.