Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-30

Vera Cruz. Mexico. April 3O.-Vera
Cruz went back to civil government
today, under the laws of Mexico. with
administration by American officials.
The civil government, however. re-
NAMED subordinate 10 martial law.
while the work Of restoring the munic-
ipal organization went forward.
General Funston's brigade trooped
OF transports to reIIev0 admiral
FIetcher's bIuejackets. who went back
20 the men-Of-war. Funston estab-
lished headquarters in the barracks
deserted by General Mas
Refugees continue 20 arrive Col-sul
Canada's advices indicated General
Mas was far inland close to Mexico
City.
Release OF prisoners from water
soaked dungeons at Fort San Juan de
UIlua. where many came forth blinded
from years spent in darkness. was
of the character and atti-
tuds OF the United States. Shops
Scared by rife balls are busy again
rsaping a harvest of foreign invasion
gains. Women walk again safely
abroad
Tales Of Horror Verified.
Rear Admiral Fletcher decided to
remove all prisoners from the fortress
Of san Juan de Ullua, after an inspec-,
ton OF the place ii been made by
Commander II. c Stickney, inspector
Of the port and the customs and by
officers especially detailed for that /
work.
The inspection by the American au-
thorities verified the tales that had /
been written and told for generations !
OF the terrible conditions prevailing
there. Many dungeons were below the .
water line when the tide was run
ming In. az which time the inmates.
many Of whom were half blind on /
account OF their long Incarceration in
semi-dsrkness. we're drenched. Other
dungeons we're so constructed that II
was impossible for the victims TO lie
down Ancient devices OF torture were
discovered and there was evidence
that these recently had been in use
Among those held IN confinement
were men once OF prominence but
whose names now have been almost
men who had been there
50 long that their minds were blank
and men so enfeebled by the treat
men they had received as TO insure
their transfer TO hospitals instead OF
70 prisons.
Introduced BY Spanisrds-
Each succeeding administration per-
petuated the use Of the ancient Tort
ress as a prisOn-a use TO which II
vas put by the Spaniards. The late
Francisco l. Madero. inspected the
prison Just prior to his taking charge
Df the government at Mexico City. He
rss horrffed by what he saw and
,eclared his first Official act would
be the removal OF the prisoners ana
he conversion of the fortress into an
'rsenal He did go so far as partially
o prepare military prisons at a point
short distance from Vera Cruz 10 {
Ehich he talked OF removing the g
'risoners. but his promise TO clean out 4
he prison was one OF his promises Z
Thich he found impossible TO keep a
Commander Stickney was ordered a
o take over the prison with Its shops 4
nd everything else pertaining 70 II c
uch ship work as required oy mex o
,o's navy had been done there n
The handling of and providing Tor c
be Door Of Vera Cruz also was taken n
hand. The poor were beglnhihs u b
1ner for want OF food when the amer q
an naval forces undertook the tAsA e
providing for them Not oesirous'
owever. Of pauperizing them NoIA (
Z a public character has been Pro \
Ided for the majority of the needy