The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-27
Last of American Refugees Arrive From TampicO and
 Nearby Districts
ABOUT TWO THOUSAND HELD IN QUARANTINE
Refugees Tell of Anti-American Riot in TampicO Tuesday-Firing Heard in Tampico Friday When the
 Connecticut Sailed

Galveston. Tex, April 26.-The bat tleship Connecticut and torpedo boat convoy Dixie came into port today bringing the last of the American refugees from Tampico and nearby districts.
 "There may be five or six Ameri- cans still in Tampico, but they would not leave" said Capt. John J. Knapp of the Connecticut just after the bat tleship dropped anchor.
 There are 490 refugees on the Con- neeticut and 570 refugees on the Dixie On board the steamship Esperanza that came in from Tampico last night there were SIT Americans who had fled from Mexico. There are about 2100 American refugees held here in quarantine on the ships, but their re- lease is expected either tomorrow or Tuesday,
 Many Refugees Nearly Destitute
 Many of the refugees were nearly destitute, with children on their hands. Most of them were cheerful, many were hungry and only few despon- dent. One of their first questions was, What is going to be done for us when we leave quarantine How can we get money for our children {" Means to reach their homes were pro- vided today by the United States. That, however did not solve the problem of many, who have resided in Mexico so
 
 reets in the United States As fast as released from quarantine the refugees will be taken to the immigration station here, where they will be listed and fur nshed with tickets and money suffi- cient to reach their homes The railroads, il was announced, will charge only half fares for them,
 Dr. P G. Opperman, formerly of Cleve land, O.. a Dixie refugee, said he es- caped violence at Mexican hands in the Tampieo municipal building Tuesday when the Vera Cruz fight news was posted by passing himself off as Ger man. German characteristics in his face enabled him to succeed in the ruse until he got safely away from the building.
 Saved by German Flag
 F. F. Sessions of Florence s. C., a Dixie passenger, said he brought 21 women and children down the Panuca river to Tam pico Tuesday from Topila, an oil camp, until the Mexican government boat Vera Cruz stopped him and sent him back un- der threats of smelling his boat and pas sengers. He retired and returned flying German flag, whereupon he was allowed to pass.
 Leo Flelschman, a Tampieo business man for many years, saved about one tenth of his money in the form of checks which happened to be in his safe, by slowing them into a gunnysack with his books and papers and & in cash, Wednes- day afternoon and running to the Ger man boat with the sack over his shoulder. Fleischman said some wealthy American residents of Tampico had left so hurried ly that they came aboard the Esperanza with no more than 15 or p cents apiece. Many of the passengers on the Esper- anza, the Dixie and the other ships in quarantine here were unable today to notify their relatives of their safe ar rival because they did not have the price Of q 10-word telegram
 Hundreds of Americans did not attempt to save their property, according to many refugees stories. because they expected to return with the troops or that the trouble would blow over.
 Details of Riot Tuesday
 The story of the anti-American riot in Tampioo last Tuesday night, when Ger man officers and sailors went to the res cue of the American refugees and os- corted over 20 women and children aboard the German cruiser Dresden, was told by refugees on their arrival today. Oni- cers of the battleshih connecticut said hat only for the assistance of the Ger man sailors there would have been un- conbte6l bloodshed. Tuesday morning the United States waTships Dolphin, Des Moines and Chester d.opped down the river at Tampico and steamed to the outer harbor It reared that the presence of 'the American ships would inflame the Mexicans into an attack upon the refugees who were gathering in the town.
 It was a little after o'clock that aft ernoan that a Mexican soldier tackled mp an official notice from the municipal police, stating that the American officers had landed at Vera Cruz and appealing to the MeXcans to take up arms and defend their country. The news spread quickly Armed MeXicans were seen run ming here and there and word was sent by Americans to the refugees to assemble in central places.
 After dark crowds swarmed the plaza where fiery speeches were delivered and parades were formed. ''viva Huertar' t and Death to the gringroes." cried the crowd while the refugees barricaded themselves in the Southern hotel Stones were thrown and windows smashed Then ft was that Capt. Won Kohler of the German cruiser Dresdei sent terse note to General Zaragosa, in command of the port al lamplco that If he could not stop the rioting that q will see to 1t per sonally that 1t Is stopped"
 Mob Fills Streets
 Within l5 minutes officers of the Con- necticut said today, the Mexican r,lrales appeared on the streets and the crowd dispersed. Two hours later another mob appeared filling the streets in front of the Southern hotel. An attempt was made to batter down the doors of the hotel in which there were assembled more than 150 men, women and children Only 90 refugees had arms to meet any attack. A detachment of police broke up the crowd and early on Wednesday morn ing, while it yet dark, German officer with squad Of four sailors from the Dresden. went to the relief of the beleaguered refugees and escorted IS women and children to the Dresdent In that little hand was a woman refugee who had walked two miles from the Panuco 7, district with a two days old baby in her arms
 On Wednesday morning the general pico comm menced and the American yachts Wak;va and Wild Duck. under foreign colors. brought ths refugees down the river to the American warships. The Wakiva took down the American flag and hoisted the English colors while the yacht Wild Duck flew the German flag Refugees said tho American flag would |. a A n <ft.t.