The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-05-07

dominant feature in the Mexican de-
Yelopments in Washington yesterday.
Attention was still conferred on the
work of the South American media
tors. who reported steady progress
and avoidance of any deadlock be
tween the parties.
SUNDAY. MAY
What had promised to be the first
fight between the United States army
and the Mexican troops yesterday
ended in the exchange of not more
than half a dozen shots.
The Mexicans had threatened 10
attack Immediately unless the Amer
leans surrendered their position al
the water works at FL Teiar within
Ten minutes but failed to fulfill their
menace. AT II o'clock in the morn
lhg Mexican force estimated at from
5o0 To 800 men appeared mile be
You'd the water works station Sud
denly Mexican lieutenant and non
commissioned officer bearing a white
flag advanced and presented a demand
for the Americans TO surrender within
ten minutes.
Major Russell's reply was Hurry
right back and do not waste any of
the time your commanding officer has
stipulated. Major Russell then made
preparations to resist any attack at
the same time sending wireless
message to headquarters that his out
post was threatened, Within a few
minutes Major Russell was notified
that rccnforcements were on the way
stead of the 240 marines at the out
post there were 1900 men while the
entire garrison of Vera Cruz was
ready for any movement that might
be ordered. Seven companies of the
Fourth infantry regiment We're sent
forward under the command of Col.
Robert G. Van Nliet. as well as two
battalions and three companies of
marines commanded by Col. John
Archer Lejeunc. When the reinforce
ments arrived at the water works
station Major Russell and his men
were not at all hard pressed The
MeXicans had contentcd themselves
with a scattering fire consisting OF
not more than four or five shots -.
From Major Russell's lines only one
shot was fired The water works
station post in the American lines
vas placed so far out of the city only
because the authorities regarded il
as essential to protect the city
water supply
MONDAY. MAY
After Saturdays alarm at Vera
Cruz all was quiet Sunday. Many
of the American soldiers attended
mass in the old Cathedral in the morn
ing. while in the afternoon great
crowds attended the bull fight. At
Washington, the mediation plans OF
the South American Enjoys, trying to
straightcn out the troubled affairs OF
Mexico went stcadfastly forward and
while there were no formal sessions
the mediators conferred during the
afternoon and evening on what had
been done and the next step in their
procedure. 1t was reported that
the American outposts at Vera Cruz
were being watched by McXieans and
that over ten thousand Mexican
troops were encamped in the vicinity.
TUESDAY, MAY 5
News reached here today that the
outbreak of another military revolt in
Mexico headed by General Velasco.
who was recently driven out of Tor
rcon by Villa would not cause any
surprise in the Federal capital. The
Constitutionalists at Tampieo have
notified Real Admiral Mayo. com
mander of the american warships
stationed there, that if any of his
vessels attempted to enter the Panuco
liver the oil reservoirs above the city
would be empticd and the oil ignited.
which would mean certain destruction
10 the town. Washington news stat
ID that General Carranza and the
Constitutionalists were practically
eliminated from the proceedings of
the three South American ENJOYS.
who have undertaken to solve the
Mexican problem by diplomacy
WEDNESDAY. MAY
News from Washington stated that
the developments in the Mexican sit
uation Tuesday were divided between
the diplomatic and military status
secretary Bryan announced that the
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