The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-27
American Rear Admiral
Becomes Absolute
Ruler Ashore.
STOPS QUIBBLING
WITH MEXICANS
Word Goes Forth That Disorder
and Unruliness Will Receive
Swift and Severe Punishment.
Officials Report Willing
ness to Resume Duties
Under Americans.

Vera Cruz, April 2s.-Vera Cruz to-
night Is under martial law. Rear-Ad-
rntral Frank +. Fletcher commanding
tho American naval forces shore
to-day issued proclamation to this
effect. and tho last opportunity Mexi-
cans had for handling their own af-
fairs I'm Vera Cruz under their own
laws disappeared.
Admiral Fletcher and his stafY do.
termined there should be no more
quibbling with tho Mexican official,
regarding form OF government, and
until further notice residents OF this
port will live and be Judged by militar ~
law. The word haa gone forth that
disorder and unrulIness in any form
shall receive swift and severe punish.
nent. This proclamation makes Rear.
Admiral Fletcher absolute ruler ashore
II ~ believed the martial law procla
nation Will open tho way for more oil
the city and Federal employees TO re-
turn and cooperate ia restoring the
local government functions. McNicans
point out that these men now will lac
in n position TO explain 10 their friends
and tho existing government at th,
capital tina, under martial law they
felt Obliged To return to their work.
An order that all arms be turned
In ly residents by noon to-day
brought to the headquarters of tn,
provost marshal bushela OF small
arms and stacks OF rifles.
The city was quiet last night, and
II there vas even single sniper IN
action the fact was not reported tc
division headquarters.
willing 10 Resumc Duties.
Man Mexican officials have reported
their willingness TO resume their du.
ties of o'llce under the supervision OF
the Americans. The American officials
a .Yr.t
vision OF the municipal government
are:
Commander II. o. sticknev. of III,
!'rairic. captain OF the port: Fleet Sur
seon T. w. Spratiine, sanitary inspec-
tor Commander l.. Y. Sellers. of the
Arkansas. provost marshal: Command
CT John NJ. Luhy. OF tho South Caro-
line, director of the post-ofice.
Roberto Diaz. Mayor OF Vera Cruz
has agreed 10 reopen his office. and &;
has been arranged that public schools
shall bc reponed Tomorrow
Efforts OF Rcar-Admiral Fletcher.
supplemented by those of the British
commander. Rear-Admiral Sir Christie
phnr Cradock. and the French and
German consuls ard private ci,i2ons. "a
bring about the departure from tho in
terror OF all foreigners who wish Ia
leave, arc being continued energctiral-
", but the hopo of getting out more
than small part of those left Is di-
minishing hourly.
Federal General Mas has establish.
cd his headquarters at Soledad. si,.t..r
miles from Vera Cruz. and his lu.r
arc tearing up the railroad tracks. Nh.
zap between Tcjera. the water suuulx
station, which is guarded h. thc Amer.
leans. and Scledsd has grown, and 4, Is
no" hard task for refugees TO &c,
themselves and their baggage across
he open space.
Foreigners May lie Held.
Sir christopher Cradock, through ST.
Lionel Garden. who has resumed charp.
of the British embassy a, the canitsl
Us urging President Hucrta 10 pcrmi,
she departure OF nil foreigners from
Mexico City, and II is considered nos.
slple that one or two more trains n
least VIII be permitted to pass thropvb
But there appears n fair chance tlIn,
those who have fallen under the dis
pleasure OF Huerta and are IN the ems.
tcdy OF his forces will be held
Lieutenant Frank 7. Flecher. Of the
Dattleship Florida, is In charge or tpe
train which is being run from Eero
cruz to the break In the road. ana On
every outgoing trip the train cofrins
small detachment of armed men in
hudi,ion TO machine gun. The train
Els pccn within sight at various times
OF outposts or scouting parties OF con
eral Maas's Tor ccs, but 50 far thor. ~ !.
been no hostile act.
40 ihtiInaiion has been received .ba,
lfuerta proposes to release tho A,nor
icans, Some of them women nnd cbil-
oren. heid at Cordoba, Orizaba. pa
placec.
Tormer railway men. Americans and
lew Mcxicans. Including some of ~.
orhccfs of the National Railway .,...
tenn, who were discharged by Gennro,
iinerta, have offered their services ~
i'car-Admiral Fletcher for any use he
in;,y see fit to make OF them.
. communication has been SOM a.
e,clerai Mas asking him to permit the
operation OF trains from tho Son,h
y er the Vera Cruz and Isthmian rnad
,nh ,, Dricf tiine that Mcxicans here
country snail have the opportunity to
40 so, and that Americans isolated in
that district may be got out.
49, Information Sought.
ne 1oo consuiatc Is receiving upwards
or 90 telcsrams day through the
state Department, and from indiyjdunis is
ASKING for Information OF America n
pss,deafS. nani; Consul Canada has created
legations and TO answer kilograms.
Both the Navy and State Denart
ments are eager for official news, and
INC hne Meet and the consular officer have
these departments advised of even
minute details. This official Inform. :
ton. added TO the mass OF private mes
sagcs, and the enormous volume of
press matter filed by thirty or more
newspaper correspondents, has result :
ed In so clogging tho three cables send
Ing to tho outside world that Its trans
mission, except with many honrs de-
lay. Is virtually impossible. Twenty
moro correspondents are said to be on
their way here with the soldier trans
ports, and few more arc coming from
New York.
Tho food supply problem must bo
relieved soon. and for this reason plahs
are being made TO open the Alvarado
Railroad, short line running soutl,
/ContinucU IN cauanfh Do