Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-25

Laredo. Texas, April 24-Nuevo La, redo. the thriving Mexican border town opposite here, was in ruins to- riEnt uy dynamite and fire by Mexi- can federal Soldiers who late today began an orgy of destruction which did not end until they were forced to feel southward before the guns of the American border patrol. Two Mexi- cans are known to have been killed by the United States troops and several were seen to fall when a machine gun platoon from Fort Mcintosh got into action. Several brisk skfrmishees be- tween the Americans and Mexicans were fought in quick succession as the Mexicans, their troop trains pulled out Of the burning city, began an in = discriminate ire across the interna- = uonal boundary, but tonight there was no evidence that their shootin g had been effective.
 Property damage in NoeVo Laredo will reach s5o0,00O.
 Among the buildings destroyed were the United States consulate, mu- nicipal building. postoffice, theater, the four mill, one of the largest in this section of the southwest: the railroad shops of theMexican National rail- way and other smaller structures.
 Late tonight the fire still was burn ing with no chance that 1t would be controlled until everything infiamn1a- Die HStG DeS1 H1pFQ OQL. hJSE0SeItc anu other conabustfbIss. liberaiiy used, fed the flames. which otherwise would not have been extensive owing to tho adobe construction largely used.
 Attempt to Destroy Bridges.
 There was 10 property loss in Ls.- redo Both international bridges are safe, though efforts to dynamite them resulted in the death of two men en- gagged in the undertaking, One Mex fcsn was shot by a. Eharpshooter from she top of the water toUr. The Mex ican was uying to reach the end of the international foot and wagon bridge .Anotter WAS killed when he tried to blow up u2e American rail- road bridge Americans were con- stSntfy st the American side to pre- vent such an attempt
 When the Mexican soldiers finally departed or~1ss was quickly restored tn Laredo but strong guards remain SstroushoJst the city. A serious prob lem was fur-ntslaed immigration and city authorities by tne presence here of hundreds of refugees from the sssftning city vho had to be fur s,lxf1ed food and shelter,
 The federal garrison evacuated Nuevo Laredo yesterday. supposedly going 70 Seltrlo Or Monterey. With thei% departure the bs1sy little city, or aizisaff* of about 1000 population,
 
 fhs soldiers rushing psaaie-striciea to the American side in fear of bandit attacks. Early today tue fedeFals re- turned and iE wsS announced that they eazlse back fer additional engines to , Bcr9 thsaF tEoap tDakAs. The Mexican railroad shops ars hsTe.
 1At1e eecifsalssaE Was accustomed ioy' tsse presence of the federal until this afternoon Smoke was seen issuing feoEsa sSele Of the bsaiidiHgs aroz9nd the plaza the center of the town. The ER2EaisiRal baaldfIE anA the American csoos5Hsds on opposite sides of the sotssEss bsokS into flame sifnuitane- eu@sy. Next door to the consulate, rhe p<SSd oIiGR. temporarily closed. also was seen to De burning, and around tAs pAszs smoke began to issue from Si6tiorS aSao EsefH Of other pi9iidipgs
 A few ufiz=ates later loud ex- pisSioF wrecked houses and the fire spread rapidly iH sii directions. Americans begsa te gather OF the river bank. but hastily retreated when warned tsssG other explosions near a kzsd might eccs4r.
 Troops Oat on Double Quick
 .ocps st Fort Mcintosh were order aA out on the double quick and in a few minutes. a. rigid guard, amounting slusost to martial law, was establish ed in the danger zone
 
 reinforced and it was here that the orfy known loss of life occurred. The machine stin platoon from Fort Mo Intosf, took possession below the cen tsr of the city where the F'ederals ~hc were crowHing into their trains poured fusilsde of shots across the sordsg
 Battery > or the third field artillery was sent to the power house of the Laredo Electric Light company fear Ing an sttsck there. but 1t was seer there was nothing for them to do.
 Several Me&icans Seen to Fall
 Several Mextcanx were seen to fal before the fire from the machine guns but they were csrried away by theil comrades The trains were start. as long ss they could. For soms distance the railroad follows the in terns4ionsl line. After silencins tn. Mexicsns. part of tine Ninth infantrS res withdrawn from the river front the others remaining on guard. ~
 Burners that soms American sei dfers were killed proved to be with out foundation and no shots strucl fin the central psrt of LaFel0.
 Colonel Crane .a faks. Ninth. -infass tIS. announced that. 8 rigid patrol -e the city, particularly. of the. busines, section and ttas American residenc, section would bs maintained
 Interest Centers in Navy Desartn e nt
 The navy department was again center of intense interest. despatche. from the fleet being looked for there throughout the day. The. occupa tion of Vera Cruz by the naval force: wAs rarn-sed complete. Ths total O