The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-24
HOW SEIZURE OF VERA CRUZ WAS
 RECEIVED IN THE
 MEXICAN CAPITAL
First Reported Gen. Huerta Would Accede to Demands of the U. S.-Reported
 Americans Killed

Washington, April 23.-The first story Of conditions in Mexico city to reach Wash ington through official sources was for warded To Socvtary Daniels by Rear Ad- miral Fletcher who obtained the state ments from American refugees arriving in Vera Cruz today from the Mexican capital. This is the statement:
 First news of landing received about noon, Tuesday. and there was much alarm followed by extra reports in the El Inn partial. Reports not confirmed until 1 D. m. In the afternoon news was cir culated that General Huerta would ac- cede to the demands of the United States Later General Huerta received the local reporters and correspondents and stated that he had announced he had definitely refused the demands of the United States In spite of this, general opinion was that sometime would elapse before any defi mite break in diplomatic relations would occur
 Alarming Demonstrations
 Tuesday afternoon, after the receipt of the news of the landing. demonstra- tions were made largely by students and clerks in the streets. Upon the receipt of further news of an alarming character 
 ous Rocks were thrown at some of the buildings. It was reported that two Americans had been killed on the streets but no confirmation was obtained The American colony largely gathered around the embassy watching for particulars from Vera Cruz, but little was forthcom- ing.
 Early Wednesday morning the cable office was taken over by the Mexican government. There were manifestations throughout the night. one of which was an attempt to pull down the statue of Washington. The procession proceeded to the American embassy where speeches were made, but apparently of a pacific or patriotic nature.
 General Huerta promised Mr. O'Shaughnessy protection to all for eigners, particularly Americans. and the same evening sent his chief of staff. General Corona, to the embassy build ing. At the request of MT O'Shaugh- messy about 20 federal soldiers guarded the embassy with a force of eight po- lice. The American consulate, which had suffered some damage was guard ed by a corresponding number of fed eral soldiers. The following morning it was announced that the Mexican gov ernment had taken over the manage ment of the railroad and that no trains would be allowed to leave Mexico City without special permission.
 To Send Out Refugees
 'lt was further announced that all roll ing stock on the Mexican railroad would be concentrated at Apizaco and the Vera uz-lsthmus railroad at Pueba. Rumors were fioated that the British and German ministers were making efforts to send down a train with refugees from their colonies and, finally, Wednesday after would leave at O clock, but it was not would leave a t6 o'clock, out it was not known until late in the afternoon wheth- CT Americans would be allowed to travel on it. However, at the station tickets were sold apparently to all who present. ed themselves without question of na- tionality. The approximate number on this train were as follows:
 Americans. 150; Brihsh under 30: Ger man, about 75; Mexicans. 300
 First day warm, great but gradually subsided. Americans preferred remaining in the city rather than take chances of coming down on this train. General Maas at Soledad. about i9 kilometres distant with about 5000 troops.
 FLETCHER"