Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-30
REFUGEES MOVING
STEADILY TOWARD
MEXICAN COAST

Vera Cruz, April 29.-AnXiety in
Vera. Cruz as to friends and relatives
in the interior has been greatly relieV-
ed by the occurrences of yesterday,
which show that the Mexican au-
thorities are permitting Americans to
come down the coast
Roundabout Route
The route from the capital to Puer-
TO Mexico is long and roundabout and
ii is not expected that the trains will
reach the coast before next Friday.
Rear Admiral Badger will have yes
sci at Puerto Mevico to meet the ref
ugees.
If the refugee trains are filled to
capacity as they probably will be, 1t
is estimated that 500 people will be
conveyed to Puerto Mexieco. 1t is i'm
possible in Vera Cruz to determine
how many Americans this would leave
in the capital. William w. Canada,
the American consul here, is endeaV-
oring to obtain information along this
line from the Brazilian minister at
Mexico City to whom the affairs of the
United States were entrusted when
Charged d'Affaires O'Shaughnessy left,
Mr.. O'Shaughnessy and Arnold
Shanklin, the American consul gen.
eral at Mexico City, who came out
with him, are still here waiting orders
The release by General Mas. the
Federal commander outside of Vera
Cruz. of the hundred refugees who
were brought in from Soledad yester-
day by Commander Tweedie, clears
the territory between Vera Cruz and
Mexico City, on the direct line or
communication of all Americans with
the exception of a few scattered fam
lilies whose whereabouts are not
known. Some may have made their
way to the capital; others TO coast
ports and some are supposed to be in
hiding with friendly Mexican ranchers.
kilograms from Anxious
Consul Canada's Office is flooded
with cablegrams inquiring for the
safety of this or that person.
AS fast as the names of those who
reach the coast and start for Galveston
are received they are cabled to the
State Department at Washington.
The Soledad refugees are enthusi-
astic in praise of Commander Twee-
die, whose determined stand. they be-
lieve, alone saved them from probable
death or at least prolonged suffering.
On being released from the penitenti-
airy at Soledad, where they had been
confined as a protection against the
mob, the refugees We're taken to the
railroad track and handed over to
Mexican major who had no instruc-
tons as TO what to do With them. a
train bound for Mexico City passed
but they were not permitted to board
il.
After waiting hours in the blazing
sun, Commander Tweedie's train
steamed in sight, bound for Vera Cruz
Several refugees approached the Brit
ish officer and to him related their
plight.
You need not worry" Commander
Tweedie answered. This train will
not leave this place without YOU
Permission to Depart
Commander Tweedie insisted to the
Mexican officer that he be permitted
to take the Americans with him to
Vera Cruz, and he refused to listen to
the officers protest that he had no
authority in the matter. The Federal
officer finally capitulated and hasten
ed back to the city for instructions,
returning in an hour with permission
for the Americans TO depart
The refugees told also of the gal
liant conduct of the Mexican military
commander at Soledad and of the
mayor, who made every effort to pro-
tect the refugees from the mob in the
street.
Hostility Is Stopped
On the night when the situation was
especially serious the mayor addressed
the citizens, urging them to be calm. The
most effective work, however, was done
by the commandment, who seized seyeral
hundred Of the most aggressive rioters
and sent them away to the capital to +
the ranke of General Huerta's forces
There was no further open display of hos.
tilhties by the townspeople
Rear Admiral Fletcher's experiment
last night in granting the population o.
Vera Cruz the fullest measure of libert,
to move about the streets apparent,
proved completely successful. Outside c
one or two shots fred in the outlying dis
triets, which did no damage, the city
was perfectly tranquil.
Brig. Gen. Funston's officers contin
ued today their study of the city, which
they will undertake to police and protec
after the general assumes the title O
military governor.
With the troops already here and o,
the way and with the marines, other thar
the ships guards. General Funston vii
have close to 5000 men ashore when h
force is complete.
The men of the battleships continues
the task today of getting their equip
ment aboard the war vessels preparation,
to the withdrawal OF the naval force
tomorrow, it having been decided to eff
feet the formal exchange of forces OF
Thursday.
The troops, with the exception of small
details doing special duty and of a few
men who were permitted to stretch thei
| legs along the docks, remained on boar
| the transports this morning.