The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-05-06
has MARTIAL LAW
FLETCHER TO RULE VERA Cruz
10 KEEP DOWN STRIFE.
Will PUNISH DISORDER

Admiral Says There Shall Be No
More Quibbling About Government
Order That All Arms be Given
Up Results in Surrender Of Stacks
Of Rifles.
Vera Cruz Sunday was under mar
tial law. Rear Admiral F. F. Fetch
er, commanding the American naval
forces on shore, Sunday issued a
proclamation to this effect, and the
last opportunity Mexicans had for
handling their own affairs In Vera
Cruz under their own laws disap-
peared.
Admiral Fletcher and his stat de-
termined there should be no more
ouibbling with the Mexican officials
regarding form of government and
until further notice residents of this
port will live and be judged by mill
tary law. The word has gone forth
that disorder and unruliness in any
form shall receive swift and severe
punishment This proclamation makes
Rear Admiral Fletcher absolute rul-
er ashore.
It is believed martial law will open
the way for more of the city and fed
eral employees to return and coop
crate in restoring the local govern
ment functions. Mexicans point out
that these men now will be in posi-
ton to explain to their friends and
the existing government at the capi-
tai that under martial law, they felt
obliged to return to their work.
An order that all arms be turned
In by residents by noon brought to
the headquarters OF the provost mar
shal bushels of small arms and stacks
OF rifles. The city was quiet Satur-
day night, and if there was a sniper
in action the fact was not reported
to division headquarters. Many Mex
lean officials have reported their will
ingness to resume their duties Of Of
fee under the supervision Of the
Americans.
The efforts Of Rear Admiral Fetch
or, supplemented by those of the Brit
ish commander, Rear Admiral Sir
Christopher Craddock, and the
French and German consuls and Qri-
yate citizens, to bring about the de-
parture from the interior Of all for
eigners who wish to leave, are being
continued energetically, but the hope
Of getting out more than small part
Of those left is diminishing hourly.
Federal Gen. Mas has established
his headquarters at Soledad, 16 miles
from Vera Cruz, and his men are
tearing up the railroad tracks. The
gap between Tejera, the water sup
ply station, which is guarded by the
Americans, and Soledad, has grown,
and it is no simple task for refugees
to get themselves and their belong
ings across the open space.
Lieut.. Frank J. Fletcher Of the
tattleship Florida, is in charge OF
the train which is being run from
Vera Cruz to the break in the road
and on every outgoing trip the train
carries a small detachment Of armed
men in addition to a machine gun.
The train has been within sight, at
various times, of outposts or scout
ing parties Of Gen. Mas forces, but
so far there has been no hostile act.
No initimation has been received
that Huerta proposes to release the
Americans, some Of the women and
children, held at Cordoba, Orizaba,
Pachuca, Aguas Calientes and other
places. Former railway men, Ameri-
cans and a few MeXicans, including
some Of the officers Of the National
Railway system, who were discharg-
ed BY Gen. Huerta, have offered their
services to Rear Admiral Fletcher fol-
any use he may see fit to make them
A communication has been sent to
Gen. Mas, asking him to permit the
operation Of trains from the south
over the Vera Cruz and Isthmian
road for a brief time, that Mexicans
who desire to reach that part Of the
country shall have the opportunity
to do so, and that Americans iso-
lated in that district may be gotten
ont.
The consulate is receiving upwards
of one hundred kilograms a day ask
ing for information Of American resi-
dents. Consul Canada has created q
special bureau to make such inVes'
LEGATIONS and to answer telegrams.
Both the navy and state depart
ments are eager for Official news and
the feet and the consular Office have
been bombarded with orders for min
ute details. This official informa
ton, added to the mass of private
messages and the enormous volume
more newspaper correspondents, has
resulted in so clogging the three
cables to the outside world that its
transmission, except with many
hours delay, is very nearly impos,
sible. Twenty more correspondents
are said to be on their way aboard
the transports.
The food supply problem must be
relieved soon, and plans are making
to open the Alvaredo railroad, short
lire running south into the garden
and poultry district.