The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-15
Wireless Crippled

vera cruz, May l4-A Violent electrical storm in the vicinity of Tanipico has renoered the wireless virtually useless. and only measre details of the situation at that port, evacuated yeste rday by the federals. were received here today
 The plight of the federals under Zara- scza, who are retiring in the direction of San Luis Potosi along the railroad, is considered by those who know the coun- try as extremely serious.
 The consitutionalists have overrun the territory about San Luis Potosi and con trol considerable portion of the railroad. Northward toward the federal lines the country is rugged and barren snd proo- ably impas sable to the weary veterans of Tampico.
 In Zaragoza s rear are constitutional forces, elated by victory and ready to press after him. The general belief here is that the little force of federals will bt cut to pieces.
 News was received today that the warn ing of the constitutionalist leader. Gen eral Caballero. of his intention to attack Tampico with artillery was given to the commander of the British cruiser Her mione May g. Foreign residents immedi- ateiy began to so aboard the various ships It is reported that only few Americans remained.
 Within the city there were frequent native patriotic demonstrations before the attack began. A few recruits had reached General Zartgoza, but the rebel forces had increased 5000, with P field guns, making the odds against the federals hopeless. The ammunition supply aboard the federal gunboats had been greatly reduced and this is considered the prob able cause of zaragoza's determination to evacuate the city.
 The situation at Vera Cruz was one of q a. eral Funstons men have settled down to the routine of garrison duty. With the arrival of additional equipment it is prob able that most ot the troops will be put under canvas.
 Consul Canada is disturbed oyer the detention of a Cuban messenger who was sent out to General Maas' line with a letter urging the release of Admiral Fletcher's Filipino servant, who wandered out into Mexican territory and has been held by the federals for more than q week The Cuban has been gene four days and 1t is learned that he. too, is held by the federals. The Cuban also bore note to General Maas regarding the Mexican generals personal property which he abandoned when he withdrew rom the city. The authorities are anx- ious to return the property or make what dispois1on of it General Maas may wish
 Workmen Busy
 Workmen are busy removing the traces of bullet and shell fire resulting from the two lays fighting. The gaping holes in the Berito Juarez tower over the mu- hicipal museum, where the bluejackets planted three shells the first day have been repaired. Private houses except those in the water front, have been re- stored and only a few bullet scars at various points remain
 The court of claims is sitting daily sitting out complaints of property dam- age submitted by foreign residents The total of these complaints has been sur prisingly small sc far The Mexican claims will do to Washington for settle- ment, but the fact that foreigners will probably receive quick compensation for broken windows and doors has encour. aged the native business men to believe that for once they will not be compelled to bear in silence the damages sustained in fighting, in which they had no part