The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-15


superdreadnoughts Texas and Wyo-
ming, the dreadnoughts North Dakota
and Ohio and the arm0red cruiser
Washington. All Of these could join
the feet at a few hours notice. The
New York and the Texas. the latter
also just completed, are sister ships.
Both will be assigned to the first de
vision Of the Atlantic fleet. Each has
a displacement Of $1,000 tons and q
speed Of Fl knots an hour. They are
fitted with main battery OF ten IL
inch guns, and a secondary armament
of Fl five-inch rifles.
Mexican Gunboats Leave.
Washington. April 15.-This dis
patch from Rear Admiral Fletcher at
Vera Cruz, dated 10 p. m. last night.
was received 1T the navy department
today:
mo new developments at Tampico.
Constitutionansts have retired from
the vicinity. Business resumed and
refugees returned. Mexican gunboats
Progress, Zaragosa left Tampico."
The Hancock Sails.
New Orleans, April 15.-The trans
port Hancock with $50 marines aboard,
sailed from here today to join the bat
tleship fleet that will concentrate near
Tampico.
Ship Crews Work All Night.
Norfolk, Va, April 15.-There were
lively scenes today on board the war
ships making ready in Hampton Roads
and at the Norfolk navy yard. to pro-
coed to Tampico. Mex. Rear Admiral
Ffske, chief Of operations, who came
down from Washington last night to
bear to Rear Admiral Badger, formal
orders, found every preparation being
made for hurried departure when he
stepped aboard the flagship Arkansas.
A ton
Roads. There were signs on every ship
OF their preparedness to get away I'M
der hurry orders. Gunners were clean
ing the big rifles and stores were be-
Ing taken aboard.
The dispatch boat Yankton which is
to accompany the ships to Tampico
occupied a position close by Rear Ad-
miral Badgers flagship the Arkansas.
The torpedo boat destroyers Parker.
Cassin, Cummings and Benham were at
anchor close by the battleships YER
mont and New Jersey. The battleship
New Hampshire was making ready at
the Norfolk navy yard. The Delaware
also at the Norfolk navy yard, may
not be able to get away with the rest
OF the ships which are better prepared
for an immediate start.
Hurried Preparations.
Boston. April 1s.-Preparations were
parture this morning of the third class
cruiser Tacoma, which was ordered
yesterday to proceed to Tampico. Mex,
with q preliminary stop at Newport,
r. I.
In the course Of the night the
Tacoma crossed the harbor' to HinEs
ham where ammunition was taken on
Meanwhile, naval officials assisted by
the police, rounded up members Of the
cruisers crew who were on shore
leave.
The Tacoma is commanded by Ma
thaniel c. Lewing and carries 800 men.
nary seamen and coal passers.
Worked All Night.
Philadelphia. April 15.-Officers and
crew Of the battleship Michigan
worked all night. under the glare Of
search lights, at the navy yard, pre-
pairing the big fighter for sea duty, in
response to the order for the cOncen-
tration Of the Atlantic fleet at Tam
pico. A number Of barges loaded with
coal came alongside the Michigan. soon
after sailing orders were received. and
the work of c0aling her proceeded un-
til early today.
In the meantime other members Of
the crew were busy loading the ship
with fresh meats and other supplies
The Michigan expected to leave the
yard some time today. The big dread
naught IL commanded by Captain Al
bert p. Niblack. Her crew numbers
$50 officers and men, in addition to
regular complement of sixty-six ma
rines.
Why They Are Going.
Washington, April 1.-THE arrest
of an orderly who went ashore, at
Tampico. to obtain mail for the Amer
lean fleet. the interception of dis
patches to Charge O'Shaughnessy, the
and repeated offenses against the
rights and dignity Of the United
States were given today as some of
the causes Of the dispatch of the At
lantic fleet to Mexico in an official
statement representing the admins
tration's views.
Huerta's Reply.
Vera Cruz, April 15.-The Mexican
foreign minister. Senior Portillo
ROjas, has transmitted to the Ameri-
can charge d'affaires, Nelson o.
Shaughnessy, note dealing with the
arrest of the assistant paymaster and
q detachment Of bluejackets from the
United States gunboat Dolphin, at
Tampico and the demand of Admiral
Mayo that the American flag be sa-
luted.
In effect the note says that the
Mexican government cannot see
wherein. under international law, the
federals have inflicted any insult on
the American nation; that its ordering
the army publicly to salute the Amer
lean flag under circumstances would
be an admission that the United States
is using undue influence over this
country's free action, and that the
president IL disposed to uphold the
honor and sovereignty OF Mexico at
any cost.
The Louisiana Is Ready.
New York, April 15.-An prepara-
tons for the departure Of the battle
ship Louisiana for Tampico were COM
pleted early this morning. Fresh vege-
tables were put aboard during the
night and with these it was said that
the great ship was amply provisioned
for q months cruise. Throughout the
night white lights glimmered at the