The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-20
Exodus Began This Morning
When Two Trains
Started for Vera
Cruz.
Minister PortiiIo Was Really Affected
1885, by the Refusal Of
Huerta to
Salute.
[By stan correspondent of the United
Press

lBy STAN corr eSpondent OF the Unlteo
Press.]
MEXICO CITY, April 2o-Two
trains loaded with American refugees
left Mexico City early today for Vera
Cruz. Extra trains have been arrang-
ed for and a general exodus Of Amer
leans from tbs capital soon will be
In progress.
General Huerta is endeavoring to
protect foreigners. Foreign Minister
Portillo warn Mexicans to contain
themselves and refrain from any dem:
onstration, in statement In the
morning papers. The departure OF
Americans from the capital will be or
derly. Arrangements are in the hands
of the American transportation COM
mission.
Dramatic in the extreme were the
scenes which followed the news OF
General Huerta's refusal to accede to
the demands OF the United States
last night Two hundred Americans
danced at the American club until
EnlIdHigh. but others learning qf the
the club and went to their homes to
pack their belongings for the exodus
today.
There are 500 men and 200 women
and childr en- in the American colony
In the capital. In Guadalajara there
are 400 Americans who were notified
of the situation by Consul General
Shanklin at midnight. Foreign Minis
ter Port!llo was deeply affected by
prospects OF war for his government
with the United States. At midnight
he received the United Press cores
pondent in his Office. ~ Yesterday l told
you I had great hopes Of psace with
America" the minister began, but
tonight I have very, very bad news
for YOU. I have lost all hope OF a
settlement. We cannot come to terms
with ths United States
With this, Portillo sank Into d
chair. His face was drawn and care
worn. Later the foreign minister re-
ceived all Of the American newspaper
men and was visibly affected at the
parting. In bidding the corr sspon-
dents goodbye, he said: Il have
tried to be as nice to you newspaper
boys as I could. I hope we Will all
be friends no matter what happens.
The reporters expressed regret at
the prospective termination Of the
daily visits with Portillo. In his for
nal statement declaring that 1t was
impossible for Mexico to agree to the
demands of the United States for an
unconditional salute because the flag
was not insulted, the foreign minister
said: "Mexico has yielded as much as
her dignity will permit and trusts to
the fair mindedn ess and spirit of JUS
tice of the American people,
Referring to this statement the
United Press correspondent asked
portillo: do you feel that the Amer
ican people and the American govern
ment are two different things?"
Yes" he replied. 1.-THE governed
and sovernm ent are always two sepa-
rate elements Of all nations. Some
times people do not agree with their
governments. T believe the people OF
the Unitea States will treat Mexico
fairly IN that they know the facts
It Is the contention OF Mexico as
set forth in Portillo's formal state
m snt that the flag was not insulted
because 1t was not In the boat from
which the marines were arrested IN
Tampico It is also declared that the
Americans were freed before tnvesti'
cation and officers making the arrests
were taken into custody and held for
trial.
In a statement given the loca!
newspap srs for publication this morn
/ ing. the government sought to ais
count the danger of conflict with
United States by expressing hope that
the issue might yet be settled peace
ably and ended
Charge O'Shaughnessy. under IN
structions from Washington, retuseS
! tn comment in any way.