The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-09

ants-American speeches by prominent
Mexican lawyers and doctors at the
Plaza Libertad. These speeches were
continued in front of the Southern Hotel
for fully half an hour. when the mob
made an attack and attempted to bat
ter down the front doors of the hotel.
In which we're assembled more than a
, hundred American men, women and chill
dren. only thirty Of whom had arms
There were Mexican soldiers In the
outskirts of the crowds. with their
guns pointed toward the upper stories
OF the hotel. and they made no effort
whatever to stop the marauders. An
insistent demand was made that the
American nag be taken down from the
building. which was refused. Then
their shouts tof Death to the Grin
goes and Down with the flag be-
came more and more vociferous. The
police chief had been notified by tele-
phone of the gathering of the mob. but
the police detachment that came to
dispense the crowd and preserve order
arrived after all the damage was done.
Similar hostile demonstrations were
made at other places where Americans
were congregated.
American Women lnsulted.
ION the following morning. realizing
the gravity of the situation and our
utter helplessness, we appealed to the
American consul to know what was to
be done. He informed US that at the
request Of Admiral Mayo the German
and English gunboats in the harbor
would receive all the Americans and
transport them to the American war
ships at anchor in the Gulf, a distance
of nine miles from Tampico, while 60
ing through the streets to the docks
to take refuge on board these foreign
ships Americans were Missed and their
women insulted by unspeakable names,
and epithets by all classes of Mexicans.
I'VE were informed by the captains Of
the German and English boats that We
could only be taken under their flag and
the protection OF their governments and
in that way we were placed in safety
aboard the American warships. The out
ying districts where Americans were
were notified as soon as possible.
Some could not be reached. Some local
Americans at their risk went up the river |
Is far as Panuco and brought down near |
" 400 Americans. |
in all from the Tampfco district there |
we're over $500 American men. women.
and children. who have been forced to |
ack of adequate protection from our gov |
been allowed to remain 1t is believed there |
would not have been any active demon
'tration or attempt to destroy American |
property. notwithstanding the bitter feel
ng toward Americans.
There are fully 800 American women
and children and men still in the terri
DRY tributary to Tampico. We fear |
.reatly that IL they have not been muir
Tered already their lives are in gravest
q g. nj
'alue of business and property which
ave been abandoned by the $500 Ameri-
ans who were forced to leave this part
# Mexico to be concentrated in Texas
orts
Thanks to Foreigner.
"Since Tampico and the adjacent vi
which has been practically undisturbed
n the republic during the thre years
evolution, We cannot help but feel that
onditions making our exodus compul-
DRY were brought about solely by the
act that our government failed to give
Is adequate protection at the critical
loment."
The petitioners said they feared their
roperty would be destroyed. |,
We desire" they added, ito extend
UT heartfelt gratitude TO the German ,
nd English captains of the war vessels ,
the port of Tampico for their invalu- :
BILE services to us in time of dire need
nd we trust that their governments 4;
ill give them merited recognition for ,
leir praiseworthy and humanitarian :
cts. !
We likewise express to Admiral Mayo :
nd his command, both officer and men, s
IT gratitude for their unfailing court +
~ and the able and courteous manner
which the multitude of refugees were n
andled without friction. After having +
cen thrown in intimate relationship | fl
18th the boys of our navy We admire il
ore than ever before their patriotic \
brit and loyal devotion to our country. ! 4
Te know that IL our government places (
Ir future in their hands we can feel {
lie greatest confidence in the manner in n
hich they will carry out their trust" a