The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-04-30

siders equivalent to declaration of
war by Mexico:
"Ministry of Foreign Relations,
I Mexico, April %, 1914.
"Mr. Charge d'Affaires: Assuredly
your honor knows that the marines
of the American ships of war anchor
ed in the port of Vera Cruz, avail
ing themselves of the circumstances
that the Mexican authorities had
given them access to the harbOr and
to the town because they consider
ed their presence was of a friendly
character, disembarked yesterday
! with their arms and possessed them
selves by surprise of the principal
public buildings without giving time
for women and children in the
streets, the sick and other non-com-
batants to place themselves in safe
ty.
This act is contrary to interna-
tional usages, for if these do not de-
mand, as held by many States, pre-
vious declaration of war, they i'm
pose at least the duty of not violat-
ing humane considerations or good
faith by peoples whom the country
in which they are received as friends
and who therefore should not take
advantage of that circumstance to
commit hostile acts.
According to international law,
these acts of the armed forces of the
United States-Which l do not care
to qualify in this note, out of defer
ence to the fact that your honor
personally has observed toward the
Mexican government and people
most strictly correct conduct so far
as has been possible to you in your
character as representative of gov
ernment with which such serious Diff
fculties as those existing have
arisen must be understood as the
initiation of war against Mexico.
This ministry reserves to itself
the right of presenting to the other
powers the events and the considera-
tions pertinent to this matter that
they as members of the concert Of
nations, may judge the conduct Of
the two nations and adopt the attl-
tude which they may deem proper.
= -. In view of this deplorable out
rage upon the national sovereignty,
the president of the republic has seen
fit to determine as I have, the honor
to communicate to your honor that
the diplomatic mission which your
honor until now has discharged is
concluded and that you will have
the goodness to retire from Mexican
territory. To that end, I enclose
you passports, at the same time in
forming you that, as is the diplomat
ic custom on such occasions, a spec
ial train shall be at your DISPOSE
ton with guard sufficient to pro-
tect your honor, your family and
your staff, although the Mexican peo-
pie are sufficiently civilized to re-
spect even without this protection
your honor and those accompanying
you. I take this opportunity to re-
iterate to your honor the assurance
of my highest consideration.
"Jose Lopez Portillo y Rojas."
O'Shaughnessy came ashore to-
day from the battleship Minnesota,
where he spent the night as the
guest of Admiral Fletcher. He was
accompanied by Consul General
Shanklin. The two men were closet
ed for long time with Consul Cana
da. Mr.. O'Shaughnessy does not yet
know what he will do, as he has not
received orders from Washington.
The two hydro-aeroplanes that
have been brought here in the GUS
tody of Lieutenants Muslin and Eli
son flew over the city to-day in a
preliminary accommodating trip.
The German Ambassador Won
Heintze at Mexico City has refused
point blank to comply with demand
made upon him by federal soldiers
to surrender 200 rifles with which
the embassy has been provided for
it's own protection. Won Heintze in
formed Huerta personally that he
would fight before he would surren-
der them.
1t is reported that the German
ambassador has received personal
instructions from the Kaiser to
bring or send all German subjects
Immediately to Vera Cruz. The
train carrying the German refugees
is expected here tonight.
Zapata, the rebel chieftain, is re-
ported to be now in Chapultepec, ac-
cording to Paul Hudson, who arrived