The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-04-28
four AMERICANS
MURDERED BY MOB
IN MEXICO CITY
Mexican Newspaper Prints in
Detail Story of Massacre of
U. S. Citizens.
70 SAVE CAPTURED REFUSES
Marines and Bluejackets Prepare to
Rescue Women and Children Held
Prisoners at Huerta Order BY
Mas Near Vera Cruz.

Vera Cruz, April 27.-Four Ameri-
cans were killed in Mexico City, ac-
cording to story printed-by Ell Die
tamen, Mexican newspaper. The
paper gives circumstantial details,
stating that three Americans were
taken from street cars and one was
killed in the Y NJ C. A. building.
American marines and bluejackets
will surround General Mas at Cor
doba and rescue American men, wo1n-
en- and children held prisoners at
Huerta's order and who are threat
ened with slaughter.
Preparations to demand the release
of the nineteen American prisoners
and to back it up were under way inn
mediately after Rear Admiral Fletcher
received information of the seizure OF
the refugees.
The threatened butchery within
stirred up the fighting spirit of the
bluejackets and marines occupying the
| approaches to the city.
The refugees are being held at
some point between Cordoba and
| Terra Blanco. Cordoba is forty miles
! from Vera Cruz.
American "Frlend" sniper, Dies.
Cristabol Martinez, a wealthy Mexi-
can, who always had declared his
great friendship for Americans and
whose wife was an American, escaped
perhaps more humiliating finish
when he died as the result of wound
received during the fighting Wednes-
day.
Three "Snipers" Are Killed.
Two Mexicans and a Spaniard snip
ing" at American marines from the
top of house south of Plaza Des
Ar-,- we're killed when the marines
attacked the building. There was
sharp fight, but none of the attack
ing marines was hurt. Occupants OF
nearby buildings were driven out and
several prisoners we're taken. but
they were soon released. A quantity
of arms, ammunition and uniforms
were found in the house from which
the sharpshooters we're firing.
Shift in Mexican Situation.
A sudden shift in the Mexican situa-
ton caused excitement here. 1t was
announced that Portillo y Rojan, min
lister of foreign relations in Presi-
dent Herta's cabinet, is on his way to
Vera Cruz. 1t is understood that he
holds the key to the situation and
possibly has been given full power to
deal with the American officials here.
This may be an attempt on Huerta' g
part to reopen negotiations.
Scores of Americans at interior
! points are known to be in great dan
ger of execution. Consul Canada is
making desperate efforts to reach the
places where American men, women
I and children are threatened. He has
alrady opened negotiations for the
release of the Americans arrested by
Huertas troops and taken to Orizaba
British Consul General Hutchinson
has sent a demand to General Mas
at Soledad, calling for the release OF
q any British subjects who may be
n taken prisoners.
;. Smallpox in Vera Cruz
= Several cases of smallpox were dis
q covered here by the United States
4 medical corps, but DR.. Spratling de
clares there was no danger of an ep
!, idemic. All business houses are now
n open and conducting their affairs as
y usual, though hundreds Of Americans
!, gathered at the railroad station today
a and clamored for railroad trains tha
would take them into the interior
The battleship Mississippi is plan
: ming to land the hydro-aeroplanes thai
I she brought here from Pensacola tc
| scout out General Mas position anG
carry dispatches to the American in
| trenchments back of the city.
Throughout the day hundreds oi
Mexicans approached the American
headquarters begging food.