The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-16
Federal General Divides De-
Tending Forces and Rebels
Defeat Divided Army With
Little Losses.
British Interests in Captured
City Heavy and U. S. Ex-
poets England to Demand
Adequate Protection.
az THOMAS p. COATES,
Special Staff Correspondent Of the In
ternationaI News Service.

ternattonai news service.
VERA CRUZ, May 16.-The capture
Of Tuxpam, center of the rich petrol
cum district, by rebel troops, led by
General Aguilar and General Blanco,
has developed new complication that
increases the seriousness of the situa-
tion involving the United States and
Mexico. Aguilar and Blanco profess
no allegiance to General CarranZa, but
have been acting independently, like
General Zapata.
Extensive property is owned by Lord
Cowdray and other Britons at Tux
pam and it is possible that they will
demand protection for their interests.
The United States would be unable to
secure this from either Huerta or Car
rama
The Federal garrison, commanded
by General OcaranZa evacuated the
city after his troops had suffered de-
feat at Tamiahua. 1t is believed that
Ocaranza has taken his forces to Tezi
utlan, where they will entrain for
Puebla. This city is said to have been
selected by Huerta for his final stand
Reports received here fro mTampico
state that city is quiet and that all
business.
Refugees Bring News.
Confirmation of the fall of Tuxpam
was brought here by passengers on the
launch Azora, which arrived today with
the first news from that point that has
been received since three days before
the fall of Tampico.
Their stories indicate that General
Ocaranza had committed grave tao
tical error in dividing his forces which
made the rebel victory easy. On hear
ing that forces of rebels were operat
ing beyond Tamiahua he sent Major
Guillermin with 500 Federals to attack
them.
The Federals were overwhelmed at
Temapache and fell back to Tamiahua
where they were again defeated with
heavy losses. General Aguilar then
sent a courier to Ocaranza demanding
the immediate surrender Of Tuxpam
declaring that if the Federals resisted
he would take the city with blood and
fire"
Decide to Evacuate.
General OcaranZa called a confer
ence Of his officers and it was decided
to evacuate, there being no hope Of Sc
curing reinforcements. When the refu
gees left Tuxpam on the AZora the
Federals had crossed the river anC
were in disorganized flight.
The city fell into the hands of the
rebel troops Thursday afternoon after
desperate hand to hand fighting be
tween the opposing forces. News o
the fall of this important oil center
was brought to Consul Canada by g
party Of Spaniards who left Tuxpam ir
a small steam launch, narrowly escap
ing capture by the rebels. They were
on their way to Vera Cruz whole day
and night, experiencing many hard
ships.
Protect Foreigners.
Consul Miller at Tampico reported
TO the state department that Genera
Pablo Gonzales, of the Constitutional
ist forces, has issued a proclamation
assuring foreigners Of protection ir
the city and outlying districts. The
proclamation invites all foreigners tc
return and Oil men to resume theil
business. Consul Miller reports thai
the city is quiet and that normal condi
tions are being restored.
A report from Consul Bonney by
wireless from the Moro Castle, en-
route to Galveston. said that upon May
no Americans had been killed in the
Saltillo district, where he was assign
ed. The railroads, he reports. through
out that section, were paralyZed from
a lack of fuel The American consul
ate has been left in charge of the Brit
fish vice consul.