The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-13
LIEUT.. A. B. COOK IS
SLIGHTLY WOUNDED
/. BY UNKNOWN MAN
Upon While Driving
in Carriage in Vera Cruz.
John Lind Is Given
Strong Guard

Vera Cruz, February 12.-An attempt
WAS mnde late last night to assassin
nfe Lieut.. Arthur II. Cook. flag lieu
tenant to Rear Admiral Mayo of the
L lieutenant Cook was struck by bull
let and slightly wounded. His assail-
mt was not seen.
The lieutenant. accompanied by his
wife and Miss Ethel Mckenzie of Phil
adelphia had been dining with Ad-
miral Mayo aboard the flagship Re-
turning to the landing place the party
took an open carriage to drive to the
steamer Moro Castle. on which Mrs
Cook and Miss Mckenzie We're to sail
today The two women occupied the
rear seat. Lieutenant Cook, conspic-
uous in full dress white uniform, sat
facing them. AS the party was pro-
oeedng down Avenida De La 1nde-
pendencia, a sharp, but loud, detona-
tion was heard and Lieutenant Cook
felt a shock on the left hip, which at
the time he did not associate with what
appeared to be a shot.
On alighting at the wharf Lieu
tenant Cook found small object on
the carriage seat which proved to be a
bullet of the type used in pocket au-
omatie pistols. invests igation showed
the bullet had inflicted bruise on his
hip.
Women Agitated
Both Mrs. Cook and Miss Mckenzie
were greatly excited by the discovery
-.f ha h111l LOT How
their stateroom, Lieutenant Cook re-
turned aboard the flagship and re-
Xported the attack to the admiral, who
this morning communicated with John
Lind and the American consul, w. W.
Canada. They notified General Mas,
military commandant at Vera Cruz,
without, however, making any formal
Xoemand
Mr. Lind later will inform General
Mas that the arrest of persons as
sauting American officers or civilians
lis q matter of small consequence COM
pared with the personal responsibility
of the general for such outrages.
It is not believed the attack WAS a
deliberate plot. but the sudden act Of
sone desperate. Recently quiet ar
rangements were made TO secure the
personal safety of Mr.. Lind. Until a
few days ago he took long walks alone
IA the outlying country At the CONSUL
hto no guard was maintained, but sig
hal boys were brought from the fleet
to act as messengers. In consequence
bf secret information reaching the
consulate the signal boys We're re-
plaoed by eight stalwart picked blue
Jackets, four of whom are on duty day
bnd night.
Opposes PrecautiOn
Mr. Lind whenever he leaves the
tonsolate now, is followed by a big
bluejacket who. although unarmed, is
Within immediate striking distance. Mr..
Lind was opposed to these precaution-
ry measures, but finally was per-
Euaded that conditions demanded them.
The United States battleships Con
hecticut, Ohio and Minnesota We're to
1ave sailed for Tampico today, but the
brder was rescinded, and they will
avsait the return of Admiral Fletchers
Ehip from Tampico, and the arrival of
he first division of dreadnaughts, prob
hbly February IS.
Mrs Cook and Miss Mckenzie sailed
oday on the Moro Castle. Among the
bther passengers were Miss Henderson
nd two other American women, refu-
gees from Zacatecas, who said they
were compelled to flee because the
Governor of Zacatecas declared he was
Unable to guarantee them further pro-
lection because the removal of embargo
bn arms, as a result of which the re-
zion is filled with armed insurgents.