The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-12-24
VILLA Is LOOIINlI
REFUGEES TELL STORY OF SACK
ing OF CHIHUAHUA
FOREIGNERS In DANGER

American and German ConsulS Are
Disresarded by Rebel Commander
in His Seizures-Spaniards Are the
Worst Sufferers Although All For
eirners Have to Contribute.
Americans, Germans and Spaniards
who arrived at El Paso, Texas, Sun
dav from Chihuahua, Mexico, report
that Francisco Villa. the rebel leader.
virtually has constituted himself die
tator there and that he refused to
heed the request Of representatives OF
foreign governments.
The refugees asserted that the
rebel leader had seized s5,O0O,oOo
worth of property belonging to for
eigners. had put to death about 20
Mexican civilians, including Sergeic
Sanchez, a lawyer and former State
official. and had commanded the
American, German and British con-
suls to obey rebel orders. The hap
penings in chihuahua since Villa oc-
cupied the city on its evacuation by
the federal troops were told by the
refugees who numbered 1000.
Villa seized a large department
store valued at Sl,500,000 and owned
by French, German, English and
Spanish interests, but chiefly by Span
ish and placed in command OF the
store Cen. Chao. a rebel leader. He
also seized brewery, clothing fac
tory and all the grocery and other
stores owned by Spaniards valued at
s3,50o.oOo.
He called meeting Of merchants
Of all nationalities and told them they
must pay him large sums Of money
aggregating several millions dollars
to support the revolution. He gave
orders that the so-called Constitution
alist money should be accepted as
currency.
Marion Letcher, United States con-
sui, was asked by the foreigners tc
protect them. Mr.. Letcher attempt
ed to send a cipher message to the
state department but was Informed
by villa that no cipher messages
would be permitted on the rebel tele'
graph. Villa then informed the for,
eign consuls in body that they
would have to obey rebel orders.
Otto Kueck, the German consul
protested to villa against the eXac
ton Of tribute from Germans. Will
threatened Kueck, saying the latte!
would be escorted to the border is he
persisted IN his protest. A store II
which Xueck was interested was re
quired to pay 100000. All home:
and property Of the expelled Span
iards were appropriated to the per
sonal use of the rebels.
The expulsion of Spanish nuns ane
priests were complete except that the
bishop, Spaniard, was allowed Il
remain. Villas attitude toward the
consals was hostile" German cloth
ing merchant said. "The German
colony went to Mr.. Kueck for protec
ton. Mr.. Kueck went to Villa witt
protest. Villa said: I can no
shoot you. but can escort you to The
border Kueek replied he would re
main in Chihuahua as long as there
was German citizen there"
The situation resulted in confer
ence Of rebel leaders at Juarez, a
which it was explained that villa, be
ing a military commander, ratae1
than the head Of civil government
had acted without sufficient advice
1t was decided that Gen. Carranz:
should be asked to Immediately star
for Chihuahua, where hereafter h'
might determine the future policie!
Of the revolution. after personal con
ferences with Villa.
The meeting decided that villa, b.
his acts toward foreigners, had pre-
eipitated 2 serious situation. From
Gen. Benavades. rebel commander a
Juarez, came the explanation tha
while the rebels regarded Spaniard
as supporters Of Huerta and. there
fore, enemies Of the revolution, al
other foreigners would be given fu1
protection. Gen. Villas order, how
ever, was explicit, that he would no
guarantee protection to Spaniards
and that they would have to leave ths
country within ten days on pain O
serious consequences.
AS indicating their fear Of Villa
47S citizens of Spain, most of then
wealthy merchants Of Chihuahua
Sunday arrived on special train a
Juarez and Immediately sought safe
ty on the United States side Of tht
river. They were accompanied b.
Federico Moye, who was civil govern
5. or after the Federal evacuation O
Chihuahua.
Some Of the refugees, reputed to b.
miilionaires, were without money
They reported that technically the.
had left their property in the hand:
Of Henry Scobell, British vice con
sui, but that really Villa had taker
possession Of it.
Forty-seven Federal soldiers, whc
had been left on police duty in CHI;
huahua after the evacuation and whi
were allowed to accompany the SPIN
ish refugees, were arrested by Gen
Hugh L. Scott, of the United States
army, as they crossed the border.