The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-09
REIGN OF TERROR
Real Story of American
Refugees From Tampico.
Statement of Facts Arranged
by Persons Driven Away.
NAVY WAS IN WR0N6, IT'S SAID
Loss Of Admiration and Pride
for American Flag.
Protection Under COlOrs Of Ger.
many and England.

many and England.
A fascinating story. dealing with the
facts Of the flight Of American refu-
friend OF the ''Gringos." This circular
, a printed circular received today by a
the steamship Esperanza, lying in
J was arranged by the refugees aboard
the steamship '.Esperanza" lying in
quarantine at Galveston harbor and
criticizes severely the action OF the
American naval authorities in ordering
the battleships out of Tampico harbor
when the lives Of countrymen were at
stake.
The circular was submitted to news
papers in Galveston which refused to
print the story as told by the refugees.
according to the letter written to To-
peka The statement tells the entire
story Of the flight and il reproduced
herewith:
American Protection in Mexico.
During the battle between federals
and rebels. which ragged in the suburbs
Of Tampico from April to II, during
which much American property was
destroyed and Americans driven from
their homes and occupations, bitter
feeling on the part OF the Mexicans to-
ward Americans, whom they curiously
blame for all OF Mexico's troubles dur
|
tense after the battle that many Amer.
leans with all kinds Of business in the
surrounding country considered it un-
safe to move beyond the outskirts Of
Tampico and could only do SO on spe-
ciaI passes issued by Governor lara
gosa, which allowed them to pass tho
three federal gunboats anchored in the
Paunce river, as most OF the traffic
for one hundred miles in the vicinity
Of Tampico is handled on rivers. The
railroads have been abandoned for
months.
general and nearly to the extent of
viciousness, the Americans keeping as
closely as possible to their homes and
places of business with self-reliance
and confidence In themselves and that
Of their flag to protect their lives and
property wherever they might be.
Left Americans Behind.
AT nearly the height Of this dan
gerous crisis and through somebody's
stupidity the flagship Dolphin. cruiser
Chester and gunbOat DeS MOines in
the harbor and already stripped for ac-
ton, raised anchor at a. m. April q,
and sailed TRANQUILITY out to sea. with
drawing the last vestige Of American
protection in Tampico,. and with them
went from the breasts of 1000 Ameri-
cans, men, women and children who
witnessed It. the last hope. admiration
and pride in their American citizenship
and the American flag.
THE removal of these vessels and
this protection at this crisis OF extreme
danger and exposure to the mercy Of
a population who have only a thin
crust Of civilization. little reason and
no morals. was little short of an adj
ministrative and naval crime. On the
Americans who were left behind 1t had
the effect of a funeral procession, which
I&wwv <~At1 ~
fore the day was done.
mo explanation for the withdrawal
Of the fleet was offered, more as to
whether it would ever return. 1t was
still lying TRANQUILITY at anchor on high
seas on April "a, apparently waiting
for the fragile Mexican gunboats to
come out.
while Americans, at about 400 p.
m, April 81, were anxiously discuss
ing the misfortune caused by the re-
moval Of the fleet and now that every
man must be the protector of his own
life and that of his family. his little
interests having been already aban-
doned, the news Of the battle Of Vera
Cruz reached Tampico.
Howling Mobs.
Brown, bowling mobs. armed with
clubs, stones and pistols, Immediately
congregated all over the city. parading
the streets and bowling for. 'gringo'
blood.
$40 a Mexican everything with a
white face is a hated 'gringo.'
Americans Immediately rushed to
their homes or places Of imaginary
safety. Englishmen and Germans E p
Iealed to their consuls and were hur-
ried aboard their cruisers and mer-
chant ships near the custom house.
There was but one small American
ship in the harbor, prtva-e yacht,
which did not dare, to display her
American flag.
''The American consul. Miller.
working like a Trojan, with a serious
and almost hopeless situation to pre-
serve the lives Of his countrynen, was
in CONSERVATION. Hundreds Of Amer
leans could not reach him through the
mobs to ascertain his plans for their
protection, if he had any.
Poor Miller. the United States con-
sui, deserted by the American fleet,
like the rest left Tampico on a British
ship, under the British flag, with the
last OF the American refugees. Amer
lean women were refused asylum on
British ships until British women
were all aboard.
Some $50 Americans, men, women
and children, assembled at the South
ern and Imperial hotels, locked them
selves in, and made the best hurried
preparations they could to sell their
lives as dearly as possible.
Smashed Windows.
"A mob Of approximately 500 infur-