The Detroit times., 1914-05-18

p miles west OF Vera Cruz. has been
blown up by the Huertista troops has
stirred the war department. This was
the CHIEF bridge the United States
wanted for It's strategic position
SHOULD an advance on Mexico City bs
ordered II is admitted it's destru,
tion will greatly hamper forward
movement from Vera Cruz should one
become necessary
Admiral Mayo has been asked to
mako a report on conditions in and
about Tampico. The Dutch govern
ment has called the attention OF the
state department 10 a report that the
revolutionists now in control OF the
Talapico district have levied demands
upon all oil well owners
The state department has question
ed the accuracy OF these allegations
because OF assurances given by the
constltutionalist junta here that for
eign property rights were 10 be- scrup-
ulously protected
IL is expected that foreign complica-
lions seriously embarrassing the adj
ministrstion might easily arise at
Tompico. The entire oil field Is in
possession OF the constitutionalists
The valuable properties are held IN.
der leases negotiated with the gov
City. Should Carranza desire, he has
the power 10 repudiate these leases.
The administrations influence is be.
Ing eNerted TO prevent any such &C.
ton
HEADQUARTERS C ONSTITU-
TIoNALIST ARMY, RIO CoAHUILA,
Nav Nav 10 Chan sLfrrnfohfpg N
point eight miles east OF Saltillo
early today, when federal field guns
bombarded the advancing rebels was
reported TO Francisco Villa before he
rode cut at dawn on accommodating
expedition.
Encounters between rebels and fed
erals have occurred almost hourly
since early last night. and IL is eN.
pected lighting will be in progress
along the whole constitutionalist line
and the general assault on Saltill0
will be on by tonight or tomorrow
En- route here from Hipolito last
night, the main body OF General Villas
forces encountered vigorous opposi-
ton at Flora. A large force OF fed
erals, well equipped with artillery,
poured hot fire into the rebel ranks.
Circling a low range OF hills, consti-
nationalist cavalry men attempted 70
reach the federal rear The enemy's
scouts detected the movement. and
the federals retired towards the beieg-
ed city
The engagement at Flora was at
first suspected to be checking move
ment Ia enable the main body OF 12-
coo federals to evacuate Saltilo and
attempt to reach San Luis Potosi.
Couiiers reported today. however,
that there were no indications OF a
general federal movement south.
Villa established temporary base
here, 10 miles north OF Saltillo. Ii Is
believed he will direct his final as
sault from the water works east OF
Saltillo reported to be already in
rebel hands.
The brush at Flora fred the spirits
Of The rebel troops who have seen no
real lighting since Torreon and San
Pedro. The camp was astir early to-
day, horsemen riding out to the south
ward ever the sand and infantry
marching towards the foothills to the
east General Villas personal head
quarters are in small abode hut
here.
WASHINGTON, May lS.-Admit-
ting that he is in fear of his life, Dr.
e. w. Ryan, recently held captive for
two weeks by Mexican federals, de-
clined today upon his arrival here to
give more than mere outline OF his
capture.
RYAN told his story today to Sec.
rotary Bryan, his personal friend He
viii repeat IL TO President Wilson.
The outcome OF these conferences,
the doctor admitted, might have the
effect Of lifting the ban OF silence.
which the federals placed upon him
under penalty OF death.
The doctor said after his interview
with Bryan:
81 am afraid Of my life II ! break
this promise now | hope to go back
to Mexico. but | do not know just
when
"All can say is that was captured
a. Fresnillo, April %. on the charge
of being a spy. The federals disre-
garded my Red Cross arm band and
claimed ii was only a pretext under
whicl | enlisted myself. | had only
my passport and no code books.
There was nothing to show that wac
a spy"
The Doctors mind was not clear as
70 the time he was held in various
places. He said that he was taken
10 Zacarecas from Fresnillo and later
TO the Mexican capital He declined
positively to make any statement OF
his treatment in any OF these places,
but limited that Secretary Bryan might
later allow him TO break his pledge.
The doctor planned to visit hrs
home in Scranton. Pa, for few days.
OFFICERS FIRES THRICE,