The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-07
vELP CONCERN FELT
 FOR LARGE SPANISH. COLONY IN TORRE0N
Officials of State Depart. ment Plan to Take Care of Those Villa Threatens
 to Drive Out

Nashlngton, April 6.-Deeply concerned about the safety of the large Spanish colony in Torreon, Mexico. Spanish Am bassador Riano was busy today with of ficials of the state department planning to do everything possible for the protec- tion of the men. women and children whom General Villa. the constitutionalist commander, is reported to have ordered out of the country, and to save their property from confiscation.
 Spain has no consular representative at Torreon, and in such cases the United States has undertaken to afford all for eigners the same protection it gives it's own citizens
 Consequently, if official advices confirm press reports as to the treatment of the Spaniards at Torreon, the state depart ment is expected to vigorously protest to General Carrahza against Villas ac- tion.
 The minister called today upon Secre- tary Bryan at the latter's home, and later had a conference at the department with Counsellor Robert Lansing. who is acting secretary during MT Bryans ill., ness. Action could not be taken immed- ately because of the lack of official infor- nation as to the status of the Spaniards.
 Heard of Order
 While press dispatches have referred to Villas order for their expulsion from Torreon, and the Spanish consul at Fl Paso has reported to the embassy here that he had heard of the issue of such an order by Villa, there is so far no evil dence that it has been actually put into execution, although American Consular Agent Carothers has been in close com munication with General Villa, he has made no reference to this decree of ex- pulsion and the only Word that came to the state department today from Tor reon was report that the best of order prevailed there; that all foreigners were safe and that none had been killed or wounded.
 In regard to suggestions that the Spani- ards should have quilted Torreon long ago, when they were warned to leave, it said al the embassy today that of the 1500 Spanish inhabitants in Torreon about 300 did depart and only those remained who found it absolutely necessary to do The situation of the Spaniards who were forced out of Chihuahua four
  tainty and hardship For the most part they crossed the border and located in the neighborhood of Fl Paso, where they have set to work to maintain themselves by their own labor until they can find an opportunity to return to their homes in Mexico.
 International law authorities here hold that these people, as well as the Spani- ards of Torreon, if they are expelled. will have perfectly sound claims for full indemnity for their losses against amy government that may be permanently set up in Mexico.
 Situation a Mystery
 The military situation in the vicinity of Torreon remains mystery to the state and war department officials For ssme reason Agent Carothers reports have omitted any reference to the whereabouts of the federal army which withdrew from Torreon, and the Mexican embassy con tinues confident in the ultimate triumph of the federal generals over Villa.
 An indication of the ground for this optimism may be found in a dispatch re- ceived at the navy department today from Rear Admiral Fletcher at Tampico, dated D. m. Sunday, showing that federal re- inforcements had arrived in the neighbor- hood of the retiring garrison. Tampico is in telegraphic communication with Saltillo and even as far westward from that town as San Pedro 20 miles from Torreon. The admiral reported that Gen eral Mass reached San Pedro Saturday morning with 17G1 men and seven train loads more en route. Another federal general, Javier de Moure, at that time already had left San Pedro and arIivcl in the vicinity of Torreon last Saturday with 1000 men and 30 days supplies.
 Admiral Fletcher further reported that the condition in Guerrero and Morelos were serious on account of the withdrawal of government troops for the defense of Torreon. Communication had been re- opened with Tampico, an oil train havns arrived in Mexico City from that point with three others en route. thus insuring adequate supply of oil for the main tenance of railroad communication.
 The Washington government has re- ceived no request for the recognition of the constitutionalists felligerents all though General Carranza has been quoted in press dispatches as intending to seek it.. President Wilson told callers today that the question had not been considered because it had not been raised, and in- dicated that no comment would be made until such a move was made by the cons sttutionalsts