The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-08

panied by number OF other refugees.
LEFT Agntnst Their Wishes.
These men surprised Secretary Of the
Navy Daniels this afternoon when they
declared with emphasis that the Govern
Snent had fallen short OF its duty to Ameri-
cans at Tampico. Also they surprised
Secretary Daniels when they protested
against having been brought away from
Tampico against their wishes. They said
that when they had boarded the English
and German warships at Tampico to be
taken out to the vessels OF Rear Admiral
MAyo's command they had expected to
remain aboard only few days until con-
ditions at the port became quieter. They
complained that the American warships
should have picked them up ut Tampico
and not left them aboard the English and
German vessels.
Secretary Daniels explained to them
that the action of Admiral Mayo in
drawing his ships out to sea was taken
at the suggestion of the officers Of the
foreign naval vessels. who were con-
WINGED that the presence OF the United
States ships In sight OF the Mexican port
would only incite the natives TO deeds
Of violence against Americans. The Of
ncers Of the English and German war
ships suggested that they would make
q transfer Of Americans from Tamplco
10 the American war vessels.
Secretary Daniels told them that he
did not take much stock In their COM
plant that they had been brought to the
United States against their wishes. He
told them they could have Informed them
selves as to their destination by making
inquiries when they stepped aboard the
vessels which were to transport them to
Admiral Mayos feet.
The Secretary OF the Navy in way
took the men to task for their appa rent
lack OF appreciation Of the work done
by the Government In getting thousands
OF Americans out OF Mexico In the weeks
after landing at Vera Cruz without the
loss OF q single life.
Property Losses DisreEarded.
The committee sought to have the Sec
rotary consider the property losses apart
from the praiseworthy success OF the
Government in getting the refugees to
places Of safety. They were informed
by Mr.. Daniels that he considered the
lives OF the Americans Of infinitely
greater value than all the property in
that republic.
In the face OF their reiterated declara-
tons that they probavfy would lose prac-
tically all OF their possessions in Mex
leo. either through vandalism and con-
fiscation by Mexcans or else by the ex-
piration of leases in their enforced alb
sence from the republic. Secretary Dam
iels became somewhat irritated and in
plain terms expressed the opinion that for
the Government to undertake the police
protection of American owned property
in Mexico would be to confer a special
privilege on these citizens.
The Secretary declared with some feel
ing that the Americans who had bought
property In Mexico had done 80 In an ef-
~ Uet rich ntirl< and with a full
knowledge that for the sake OF the large
profits hoped for they were undertaking
heavy risks
Il would be idle and unfair. Mr..
Daniels said. for these citizens to ask the
taxpayers OF the United States to sup
port the armies which would be needed
TO 70 into Mexico and remove the element
OF risk from their speculative investments.
Secretary Daniels took OCCASION to-day
to explode a rumor which has been cir
culated recently that Admiral Mayo gave
the order to steam away from Tampico
with tears In his eyes and against his
better judgment that landing ought
to be effected for the protection OF
Americans there. The Secretary said that
Admiral Mayo had wirelessed to the De-
partment his opinion, shared with the
foreign officers of the port. that the land
ing OF marines there would be accom-
panied with great danger and heavy loss
Of life, not only to the marines but to
tho Americans. who might be butchered
before they could he reached
Secretary OF State Bryan had asked the
Brazilian Minister at Mexico city and
other diplomatic and consular representa-
t,ves In Mexico with whom this Govern.
mont has connections. 10 investigate COM
plants which have been made to the State
Department that the enforced absence OF
Americans from Mexico Is causing the va
cation Of the leases under which they hold
oil and other properties there.
The Secretary said that no representa-