The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-04-23
TO SIEzE ARMS
ON GERMAN SHIP
Admiral Fletcher Ordered to Take
Custom House at Vera
Cruz.
WILL KILL ALL F0RE|NGERS
Representative of General Zapata De-
clares His Men VIII Look Upon
Landing of American Forces as
Declaration of War.

Washington, April 22.-Read Admir-
al Fletcher, commanding the Atlantic
fleet, was ordered to seize the custom
house at Vera Cruz as soon as he ar
rived there.
The order to Rear Admiral Fletcher
was sent to reach him in time to pre-
vent large German shipment of am
munition to Huerta from being landed
at Vera. Cruz.
A well-defined report circulated in
official quarters was to the effect that
American marines already had taken
possession OF Vera Cruz to prevent
the landing Of munitions.
To Seize Ammunition.
Administration officials confirmed
the report that they were planning to
seize several million rounds of ammu-
milton consigned to Huerta now on a
German ship nearing Vera Cruz.
Leaders were informed this Is one
of the reasons for prompt action in
congress. The plan Is to seize the
ammunition after 1t lands at the Vera
Cruz customs house. Some of the Of
ficials thought the president would
order its seizure If congressional de-
lay made such action necessary
Every Minute Said to Count.
High administration officials said
that while no blockade could be or
dered to keep foreign vessels from
landing cargoes without declaration
of war, prompt occupation of Vera
Cruz by marines could prevent NUM-
tons from being rushed to the Mexi-
can capital.
Every minute OF delay by congress
counts said White House officials.
1t was intimated that Rear Admiral
Fletcher might be instructed to take
some action today. even should pro-
longed debate delay adoption of
Joint resolution.
To Massacre Foreigners.
Ell Paso, Texas, April 22.-Warning
has been telegraphed to President Will
son by General Figueroa who claims
to be representative of General
Emiliana Zapata, revolutionary leader
in Southern Mexico, that Zapata and
his followers will look upon any land
ing of foreign forces on Mexican ter
ritory as a declaration of war and
that in reprisal the Zapatistas will
massacre all foreigners in territory
dominated by them. The message fol-
lows, ~
IVY. Wilson, President of the United
States of America, Washington:
las representative of the Consti-
nationalist army of the South, wish
to state | am just in receipt of or
ders from General Emiliano Zapata
to inform the American government
that he will not recognize any agree
ment which it might make with either
Huerta or Carranza in respect to the
leading of foreign forces on Mexican
territory, as he will consider this
declaration of war and will execute all
foreign residents of the states domi-
mated by the Constituencies of the
south. (Signed)
General A. c. Figueroa.'
Huerta Protects Foreigners.
Mexico City. April 21.-Carrying out
his purpose to show that Mexico is
moral and civilized by giving full pro-
lection to foreigners and Americans
in particular. President Huerta today
ordered large forces of military po-
lice placed at important points in the
city. They were ordered to dispense
any cranks, but from present indica-
tons they will have little to do.