The Washington times., 1914-05-17
MANY ARE COMPELLED TO WALK.

Trains run out from Vera Cruz twice
each day to the American end of the
break, and the unfortunate, of fortu-
nate. refugees and refugeettes are COM
PEELED to walk, with their lares and
penates, about four kilometers over de-
stroyed roadbed. while dissatisfied and
vengeful MeXicans line the brush to
either side and look the daggers they
sincerely feel. 1t is not an overly happy
walk.
As a matter of fact. the entire terri
tory beyond rifle range of the American
trenches in the sand hills, is held by
the Mexicans; it is admittedly their ter
ritory, so for the sake of not precipi-
tating an international situation which
might embarrass the peace negotiations,
the train from Vera Cruz, with half
company of infantry as train guard.
runs out under a flag of truce-a white
bath towl OF ma ajestic proportions tied
TO a pole cut from some nearby thicket.
Without the pomp and circumstance
OF the usual Latin country train getting
Under way, the American train pulls
quietly out of the Terminal station at
each morning and at each
afternoon. The engine is old and rather
deCrepit, for the enemy, when aban-
coming the city, took along all the
locomotives in commission. The train
IEHs around the outskirts of the city,
pasSing cantonment and camp of COM
pany after company and battalion and
battery. parked in Uatchtul waiting.
Past the palm shaded groves of Los
Cocos, where the Sixth Cavalry is COM
tortabIy established in a typical caval-
~ camp; on by the foot OF the sand
hills, passing shelter-tented reserve.
support and cossack post. The red
cross of a dressing station waves from
the rear slope of a hill and at intervals.
l'road scars on the eafth's breast show
the trenches, with extenporized shell
tcrs erected within, protection from the
burning sun. The trenches are not
occupied. for apparently there is no
immediate necessity. The outpost
forces may be seen clustered about the
loot of some rare tree, but always, al
ways with a keen eyed soldier scanning
ihc country to the front.
1t is Poor Country.
I, is rotten country, 100, which sur
rounds Vera Cruz. The sandhills, with
more than sparse vegetation. slope
s"mew hat abruptly to plains in which
s9llen ponds are almost hidden in the
tlIck mesquite and chapparal. Thorns
abound and no living thing but the
,-"atures that crawl are there-and the
V@itiEE bUzzards who blacken the thin
.E leaTed trees, bending their rcTulsive
heads as though in grace for some an
IiciEated meal
The scarcity of food In the cit,- has
sent prices soaring thrice, and a truck
cardcn near the railroad, operated by
sVHle thrifty and fearless Cinnamon is
Nlstted daily b. the train, to secure
nat produce there Is to Le sold. 1t
D. getting down TO where each separate
'"getable counts Tor something ir the
PROVISION blockaded town
Tho train proceeds slowly and with
CautIon; There are several small bridges
ano culVerts on the way. and they are
always carefully examined by a couple
OF men before the train is allowed TO
cross. MeNicans have been known 10
MINE bridges, for explosion on contact
O. rails have been loosened in the night.
=" careful watch is kept. As the train
ncsrs the end of the intact road its
speed is scarcely more than a crawl.
on the top Of one OF the troop cars, an
cNtcmpOrized wireless aerial stretches
fore and aft, and operators are always
on the alert. keeping in communication
with the forces in the city, ready to
HsAt a call on the instant, for rc-en-
for' oments, should they be needed
Nfta a grinding Of brakes and a tired
.:.ador. the train comes 10 halt. and
r"Hbreroed federal, with bandoliers
"fVss.ng from each shoulder, tattered
nlaakci across meager chest. and rife
S. aand. almost as long as he is. steps
OF Of the brush and stands near the
JaGn The outgoing MeNicans pile off
the train. along with the officer in
CherSe. Lieut. Ford Richardson. of the
Nlneteenth Infantry. with d couple of
solcicrs, all unarmcd, and under the ad-
NaHC"d flag of truce, go up the track
aOou; quarter of a mile to the shack
"h.i' the federal outpost lounges about
with sentries strolling about in their
ia''"red sandals-and all armed 10 the
tceIL
Always on Guard.
Al the station. there is always a
Mexican officer. Sometimes it is the
n aJc! Of the battalion himself, but
things have been so peaceful of late that
he mas delegated the duty 10 sub
lieutenant, who apprecatts the import
SC. Of his job. He struts about with a
dirty cap on the side Of his head as
though all the glory OF the AztCus were
''t 1t IS hard TO conceive that ne would
llallHy strongly as an antagonist. even
a,rrcung the operations Of his platoon.
BY the time he has eliminated the
FIRST prolonged scowl from his system,
tie MeXico-bound people are On their
Sc ay across the former roadbed. Carga-
dOrcs 90 by with trunks on their shOul-
C'rs: mail sacks. too. and bundles,
ruNes, baskets, and bedding are among
tho freight carried. II is long. hot
walk, and the way is uphill These
fedcrals are not very considerate Of
their coUntrymen's comfort TO tear up
the track. l have learned the country
men say 80. EOttO TOCe.