The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-16
IAMPIcQ CAPTURED.
FEDERALS RETREAT FROM CITY
TOWARD SAN LOUIS POTOSI.
IteDeis Made Desperate Assault We'd.
nestiay Morning Driving the Fed.
erals From Their IntrcIlchmcnts.

subject of general speculation here.
1T Is learned that the constitutional
lists delivered determined attack on
the port beginning at o'clock this
morning. The federal advance posts
were driven in and until noon des-
perate firing was continuous.
In what direction the federals are
evacuating the town has not been
learned but it is believed that the con-
stitutionalsts have overrun the terri
tory around San Luis Potosi and Mon
terey, which would make federal
escape in that direction possible only
by a continuous running fight for
many miles.
Few if any foreigners remain in
Tampico, according to the last re-
ports received here. A general exodus
begen when the news spread that the
rebels were preparing for a final as
sault. Many Tampico refugees pass
cd through here. but few were al
lowed ashore, as the American au-
thorities were not willing to increase
the large colony already overcrowd-
ng the hotels. With the fall of Tam
pico hQstilit.es on the gulf coast of
Mexico come to an end ,at least for a
time.
The federals are maintaining the
armistice so far as the Americans are
concerned, according to a note from
Gen. RubiO Navarette published here
today.
Nowhere else along the coast line
except at Tampico are there more
than scattered posts of federals or
constitutiOnalists and the logical
movement Of the victors from Tam
pico would be to join. forces with
those .besieging San Luis Potosi.
South Of TampicO the nearest fed
eral forces. those on the Mexican rail
road. yare merely holding outposts
against. a possible American advance
inland. The country between Tam
pico. and Vera Cruz and Inland to
the line OF the Mexican National rail-
road is barren and mountainous and
impossible for military operations
There is no. railroad or other means
for the. constitutionalists to move
against the federals at Paso del
MachO. nor would they gain great ad-
vantage by driving them back toward
the capital.
The cOnstitutionalists first attacked
TampicO last December and fighting
has been virtually. continuous since.
Twice they drove the federal garrison
into the town and seemed near VIC
tory, only to be shelled by the gun
boats and forced to retire to the hills
No estimate Of the losses on either
side ever has been officially obtained.
There is much discussion here as
to the possible relations between this
port under American control and
TampicO under the cOnstitutionalists.
Vera Cruz depends largely on the
TampicO region for food supplies, and
merchants here fOresee good busi-
ness if the constitutionalists open tie
port fully to trade. 1t is said that
Tampico is greatly in need Of supplies
Of all kinds and Vera Cruz merchants
hope to fill the demand. 1t is certain
that the American authorities will
foster the resumption of peaceful
trading by every possible means.
Washington, May 3.-Evacuation
Of Tampico by the Mexican federal
garrison began at 1850 p. m., today,
according to relayed wireless dis
patch to the navy department frCin
Rear Admiral Mayo. The federal
troops were leaving by the railroad.
That the rebels encountered des-
perate resistance in their final attack
and that they were compelled to carry
their fight to the heart of the gown
was Indicated by Rear Admiral