Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-04-25
Four Americans Reported as
Killed by Infuriated HUI
ertaists in Riot.
PRISONERS MAY BE
EXECUTED BY MODS
All Dispatches From Interior
Are Censored and Reports
Are Unreliable.

Washington, April 25-F0ur Amerl-
cans were reported killed in Mexico
City today.
This news was unconfirmed 1t ap-
peared in Ell Dictamon, Vera Cruz
newspaper. If true, it was deemed
certain it meant an immediate move
ment against the Mexican capital.
The situation there was terrifying
at best.
Secretary of State Bryan admitted
he had received telegram from Consul
Canada at Vera Cruz saying 10 Ameri-
cans and Englishmen has been arrested
at the capital and that "they may be
executed.
Bryan said he had no official con-
firmation of the news that j. Starr
Hunt and his family were arrested and
taken from the train on which Charge
d Affaires 'Shaughnessy, Consul
General Shanklin, their families, and
staffs were leaving Mexico City at
midnight Thursday, or of the story that
Burton Wilson was taken from the
same train in the Mexico City suburb
of Lavilla. There are other informa-
tion, however, bearing out this news.
Refugee Trains i'll Danger.
There was no question, however, that
those on the refugee trains were in
danger until they actually got within
the American lines at Vera Cruz. The
'Shaughnessy party was delivered
eafely but many other were stopped or
the road.
Bryan had received word that q
railroad men were arrested on a train
running from TERRA Blanca as they
were on their way to the coast and
taken to Orizaba.
From train running between Yri-
pataand San Juan Del Rio 1875 men,
women and children were taken and
detained despite their pleas that they
be allowed to 90 on to Vera Cruz.
The state department notified British
Ambassador Sir Cecil Spring Rice Of
the reported arrest of an Englishman,
and the Brazilian embassy in Mexico
City, acting for the United States, was
asked to investigate and make all
necessary representations to President
Huerta concerning steps for the pro-
lection of foreigners.
No Means of Defense.
1t was feared, however, that not
much would be accomplished. Ameri-
cans in Mexico City had been dis
armed and had no means Of defending
themselves if attacked. Even the
stores of arms at the United States
embassy were seized by the dictator
before Charge d Affaires O'Shaugh-
nessy's departure.
That foreigners of all nationalities
in Mexico City were concentrated in
a single zone to make combined re-
sistance if attacked by the Mexicans
was the news brought to Vera Cruz by
arriving refugees, according to a dis
patch the state department received
this. afternoon from Consul Canada.
Canada's message was confusing in
some respects. 1t did not explain how
moro refugees reached the coast but it
was thought possible they were not
Americans and therefore no objection
was raised to their departure from the
capital. 1t was not specifically stated,
either, that the Americans had ioine /
other nationalities to make a Joint
defense but it was taken for granted
here that this was the case.
May Have Secured Arms.
Canada's version was too that the
foreign colonists were well armed.
which puzzled state department Of
fieials, inasmuch as they had it on the
highest authority that President Huerta
had deprived the Americans of their
weapons. Still, it was thought possible
they had been supplied afresh from
some of the other embassies.
These conflicts and contributions
were not considered surprising, how
ever, in view of the fact that tele-
graphic communication with the Mexi-
can capital was cut off and that the
news of all sorts was mixed with humor
and surmise.
All accounts agreed that Mexico City
is in the grip of "a veritable reign Of
terror Washington's statue there. IL
was stated, was dragged through the
city after it had been knocked from
its pedestal and dragged through the
streets followed by a hoOting, jeering
mob.
The rioters also entered Porters
hotel, where Americans eongregate,
smashing the windows, insulting the
guests and threatening all sorts of