The Washington times., 1914-01-12
AMERICANS FACE
PERIL IN MEXICO
Rebels Cut Railroad to Keep
Foreigners From Leaving
Country at Vera Cruz.

Great alarm is felt here over tine safe
ty of Americans and other foreigners in
Mexico City. According TO private dis
patches reaching The Times today. the
rebels, victorious at ojInaga, and laying
their plans for a concerted attack on
the capital, have cut the line of the
Mexican National railway from Mexico
City to Vera Cruz It is this line which
Americans and foreigners would have
to use in fleeing from Mexico City To
restore it and keep it open. 1t is likely
that the United States will land ma
rines from the battleships at Vera Cruz.
The cutting Of the line is believed to
have been part of a plot arranged by
the rebels for the capture of Nelson
o'shaughnessy. the charge Of the Amer
lean embassy at, Mexico City, and his
wife. Behind this. it is, feared, is a
scheme on the part of the rebels to do
injury to Americans generally.
Gets White House Orders.
o,Shaughnessy had been IN Vera Cruz
for a few days obtaining from John
Lind, instructions given to the latter
last week by President Wilson at Pass
Christian. These Instructions. 1t is be-
Heved, related to steps which the en-
bassy oficials must take for the protec-
ton of Americans and other foreigners
In the event Of the downfall Of Huerta
and the capture of Mexico City.
Iaff
Cruz Sunday to return TO Mexico City
and put into operation the Instructions
which he had received.
According to the special dispatch
90 The Times from Vera Cruz, the train
On which the diplomat and his wife
were travelling had not proceeded more
than fifty miles, when, at the town
of Orizaba, it was halted. and Mr..
Iei els had captured Boca del Monte,
Alta Luz and Botas, strategic points
in the mountains lying between -Ortzabe
and Esperauza Train communication
beyond Orizaba was halted, he was told.
The diplomat and his pluclSy wife pro-
leedeo to Mexico City by automobile,
where they arrived today.
The O'Shaugnessys had planned 20
leave Vera Cruz, and, had they done so,
their train, and not the freight, would
have been wayiaid. News reacheo vera
Cruz that the rebels would capture the
charge and hold him for ransom.
Dinner Saved Envoy.
In order to provide an excuse for a
change in the diplomats plans, Rear
Admiral Fletcher. commanding the
American warships at Vera Cruz. sent
cut Invitations to a hastily arranged
Ginner on board the Dolphin in honor
Of the O'Shaughnessys. Evidently
thinking the freight was carrying the
charge and his wife, the rebels held
IL up.
The line Of the Inter-oceanic Railway
a part of the Mexican National also Il
cut, and many foreigners who left Mex
ico City have been held up en- route.
The fall of Ojinaga is accepted bl
washington officials as the beginning
of the end for the Huerta government
Possessing now the entire north coun
try. the rebels are in position to con
centrate their efforts in the direction
of the capital The early fall of Tor
reon is expected. With this town cap
tured, the pathway to Mexico Cit
would be open Lying in walt to tht
south of Mexico City is Zapata, and
his band Of ruffian outlaws, eager Il
pounce on the capital for the booty
and the chance for. rapine.