The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-18
AMERICAN VESSEL TAKEN
BY MEXICAN GUNBOAT
Seized nv Prize OF War and PnsscnEers
Aboard Held ns Prison
of wur.
LATER ALLOWED no PUT TO SEA
Murder of Americans and Imprison-
mcnt of Consul Edwards Told OF in
Detail ny Refugees.

san Francisco, Cal. May 17.--Dctails
Of the murder or Americans. the cap
turo by n Mexican transport of tho
American steamer Brigade Geneva, tho
imprisonment of United States Consul
Clement L. Edwards. OF Acapulco. and
many atrocities on the Mexican west
coast. were brought In to-day by ON
GERS and l5o refugees on the British
steamer Ceiiiann, which arrived from
Manzanillo.
Tho story OF the taking OF tho Geneva
was toid by Captain h tESusun, OF the
Geneva. TO Lieutenant }. Edward Min
ister. Royal Naval l;cScrvc. COMMANDER
OF tho Cctriana. According 10 icfu-
gees, whcn news Of the Npturo oil Nor;t
cruz b. tho United states reached tho
west coast, IL WAS taken by the Mexi-
cans as tn" beginning Of war. The
MeNicans were iniioncd to u high
pitch, they say, and the Americans
abandoned their homes and fled. All
believed they would have been killed
II they stayed.
AS the Cctriaun got away from tho
dock at ManzaBiilo. manUeuvrlug
adroiuy out OF what IS reported to be
an attempt 10 hem 1t IN by four MexI-
can steamers. riilc fire was directed
against IT, Aiauy bullets struck the
steamer.
Upwards OF a scoro OF murders, most
~ OF Americans, were reported by tho
Cctriant crew, but II was difficult to
trace any OF them to ar authoritative
source. ON April II, after dischaiging
It's cargo at Guayamus, Aiuzatlan ana
| san Bias. the Brigade Geneva was
ready 10 sail 10 thu north except that
II needed water and provisions. was the
story told Lieutenant Minister by Cap
tain Ferguson.
That night tho news OF the taking
Of Vera cruz was received, and the
san Bias port officials notified the
Geneva that war had been declared
between the United states and Mexico.
They would give Captn!n Ferguson no
water or provisions but told him to
sail. He took on four American refu-
gees Including woman with Il baby,
and sailed.
NOT SUFFICIENT WATER
no REACH AMERICAN PORT
There was not sufficient water aboard
Tor the Geneva To reach an American
port, and ferguson decided TO proceed
to point Oft Man2auillo, where he ar
rived April 70. Nv. miles from the har-
Dor. There was no American wnrsh!n
In sight. and the Geneva headed out
to sea on April - She was twelve
miles or Manzanillo in HAT calm
Ihc McN!Can transport IiorriEau
with an armed crew. steamed out OF
Manzanillo and approached her. Fer
guson hoiStcd tn" American ensign on
their order. The Mexican commander
hailed Ferguson. told him war Was on.
and said he had ordcra to seize Tho
Geneva as prize OF war and all Amer
leans aboard as prisoners OF war
There was no escape and the Eor-
riedn towed the Geneva TO Manzanilio
Port officials came aboard ana got a
statement from Captain Ferguson.
They were courteous. but ordered no
~. 70, f.st
the 21th the Cctr!ana arrived
Il exchanged signals with Com.
'nander Ferguson" said lieutenant
Minister. II was then Informed thai
! could not communicate with Fer.
guson as Tho Gcneva's people were
prisoners OF war.
"A man aboard tho Geneva knew
the German consul. Fritz Wager. and
got in touch with him. Through him
| sent word 10 Captain Ferguson that
| would not leave until they were re-
leased. arranged to steam away
ana picked them UP after they had
esca ped in small boats
The Geneva's people were ready 20
escape In the small boats when the
steamer Raleigh arrived The Cetriana
started to leave Captain Ferguson
raised the stars and Stripes on the
Geneva. a roar OF cheers broke from
the refugees on the Cetriana.
The people OF the Geneva got Into
tho small boats and rowed to The
Cetriana, United States Consul Ed
the bow OF the Mexican steamer Pes
qri' n but no one was hurt.
when the refugees got aboard the
Cetriana steamed close to the Ralcis,h.
Mines were exploded at the end or
brca iIwat"r and IAN attempt was made
TO ram tho Cetr!ana by the Mexican
Stea mer Ncrrerics The Hcrrerics is n
convict ship. and some OF the couvicts
in tho excitement tried to swim nsh ore,
and were fred on.
"On APRIL 30 the Geneva was re-
I"2s"d and water and provisions were