The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-16
Invasion Of Country Is Only
Solution, He Says.
HuERTA THE STRONGEST MAN
Thomas Smith Formerly Was
With Santa Fe Shops Here.
Interesting Report Concerning
Troubles in Republic.

heaped upon the American residents in
Mexico. was told today by Thomas
Smith, who has just arrived in Topeka
after living eighteen years in that
country. Smith is well known in To-
peka and lived here for many years.
He was located here as machine fore
man. general foreman and gang fore
man of the Santa Fe. From here he
was tranferred to Ration, N. NJ as gen.
eral foreman. Smith left New Mexico
in 1896 and has lived in San Luis
Potosi since that time. He was en-
ployed with the Mexican Central rail-
road for several years as master me-
chanic For the last five years ne mas
been retired from active life. although
he has an interest in a 1000 acre ranch
near San Luis Potosi.
When asked Of his opinion OF rev
of the noted Mexican LEADERS. WI
Smith said:. "Huerta is the strongest
man in Mexico. Carranza. the leader
of the rebels and popular with a Ger
tain class Of people, does not work IN
harmony with his chief lieutenant;
Villa. Panfelo Netera Is another noteo
rebel general who has quite follow
ing in the country Zapata is the only
rebel chieftain who has been on the
field continuously for the last four
years. Zapata is working for good
cause, the land question.
Trying to Get Out of Country.
Mr.. Smith is thoroughly acquainted
with Mexican affairs and can tell some
interesting facts about the trouble
there. on August Z, 1913. President
Wilson ordered all Americans to leave
Mexico as quickly as possible. those In
the interior to go Immediately to the
ports where transports would be wait
ing to carry them to the States. Hun
dreds Of people left their farms. plan
tations and homes and many of them
went to San Luis POtosi When they
arrived there, with little money and
leaving all Of their possessions to the
mercy of The soldiers. they found no
accommodations from the United
States government to take them to an
American port They were forced to
remain for several days. Prices began
to soar and most of the refugees could
not afford to pay them. After days OF
struggling for existence, they succeeded
in getting a freighter to take them to
New Orleans. Upon their arrival
there, they found no arrangements I'D
been made to receive them and were
forced to go ragged and even hungry
on the streets until word could be sent
from Washington for their relief. When
those who had remained at San Luis
Potosi including Mr.. Smith, heard of
the trouble that the refugees had in
reaching port and their reception there,
they decided to remain in Mexico. Most
of those who left at that time were
from the plantations or small villages.
Toward the latter part of April Of this
year, the residents Of San Luis POtosf
were advised that Huerta had refused
to salute the Amerio flag and that
the matter had been turned over to
congress by President Wilson. The
residents Of San Luis Potosi. along
with other americans living in Mexico.
were again notified by this govern
ment to leave the country as soon as
possible. The Americans at first did
not take the message seriously. natur-
ally supposing that the United States
would not declare war on such a
trifling matter. When still further in
formed at San Luis that the MA~icans
at Tampico had apologized for their re-
fusal in saluting the flag and that the
American sailors had been released
upon request Of Admiral Mayo they be-
lieved the trouble was over.
Stories of Murder.
The next day bulletins appeared on
the streets Of Vera Cruz were flowing
with Mexican blood and that the
American battleships were Smelling
the city. A later message said that
the city had been occupied by an
armed force of marines and a third
message, said to have come from
Texas. stated that the people of Tex
as were numbering Mexicans there by
the scores. At the same time, a.
though no message was placed upon
the palace blackboard. it was under
stood that General Olea had been
given orders to kill all Americans.
The Mexicans in the capital city
were reused to a high state of ten
sion. A mob, headed by the better
class Of people. headed for the home
Of the American consul. They en-
tered the house and found that the
consul was absent. The mob entered
his private Office and broke the fur