Evening star., 1914-04-20
People Warned by Provisional Presi-
dent Against Making Hostile
Demonstrations.
FEEL SAFE IN THE CAPITAL
Many Americans Will Not Leave
Unless Ordered to Do So by
the Mexican Gov
ernment.


The Mexican capital awaited with
intense interest today the next
word from Washington in reply
to the refusal of Provisional Presi-
dent Huerta to comply with the
demand of the United States.
NJ the morning papers pub
iShed a long statement by the
Mexican foreign minister, Senior
Portillo Y Rojas, outlining the
reasons for the position Gen.
Huerta had taken-nanely, that
the American flag was not flying
on the boat when the blueiackets
were arrested on shore at Tam
pico. that therefore the flag had
not been insulted, and that COM
pliance with the demand for an
unconditional salute would be
humiliating to Mexico.
Huerta Issues Warning.
This statement was followed by
a statement from President Huer-
ia. advising Mexicans to refrain
from demonstrations which might
embarrass possible future nego-
tiations.
Many American residents have
made preparations to stay i'll the
Mexican capital whatever be the
outcome of the present crisis, un-
less they are ordered to leave by
the Mexican authorities. They
express belief that they will not
he harmed in any eventuality.
Others are going to Vera Cruz or
are making preparations to leave
ii necessary.
Justifies Mexico's Stand.
Portillo Y Rojas minister of foreign af-
fairs. in announcing that il would be
impossible to agree to the demand of the
United States that the flag of that coun-
try be Internationally saluted, gave out
the following statement:
"On the 9th of the present month, be-
tween II and noon. a boat without an
American flag and with nine marines
| and one officer landed at a point called
| the Beach of Iturbide In Tampico. Col.
| Raymond Hinojosa, who has charge of
defending that point. detained the ma
rines and officer and conducted them to
the presence of the general who had
command of the fort, Ignacio Morelos
Zaragoza.
1T should be remembered that at this
time the port not only under mill
tary control. but was withstanding an
attack by rebels.
Gen. Zaragoza Immediately, and with
out even investigating the case. put the
marines and the officer at liberty, placed
| lIinojosa in prison and sent an apology
to Rear admiral Mayo, the commander
of the American fleet
Thought Incident Closed.
We thought the incident closed but
unfortunately this was not SO, because
Mayo sent to him some time afterwarC
an uItimatum wherein he asked that q
second apology be presented to him by
the staff of the chief of the fort. Gen
Zaragoza: that the American flag be
hoisted at a public place in Tampico ano
saluted by twenty-one guns. and besides
the severe punishment Of Hinojosa. stip
ulating that all this be done within TWEEN
ty-four hours.
Iomatic pourparlers We're begun with
.%ne subsecretary of foreign affairs il
Mexico the minister being absent at tha
date and continued until now.
.sFIt. lnt,f .F Noy u hon inf.
ed of the case. ordered another investiga
ton of the facts and the punishment o
the guilty officer II II were proved he wa
blameworthy. He also authorized tn,
minister of foreign affairs to express re
aret on account of the incident. When h
aecarne aware that the American gov
eminent supported the request of Rea
Ndmjral Mayo relative to salute of tn
american flag. which had not been in
s,.Ited. he proposed to show his good will
t,sard the American people. though h
I'D not think that such request wa
INST proposing that the flags of the tw
nations be hoisted and saluted reciprocal
iy and simultaneously.
The American government did no
agree with that idea. but instead upo
Rear Admiral Mayo'S request giving as
surance that according to internations
practice the salute would be returned b
american cannon after the salute to tn
American flag
This was not accepted by Presideu
Huerta, who insisted upon his propos
tion.
Ultimatum by the United States.
Then the American government deter
mined that pourparlers be brought TO a
end by the final decision of Presider
Huerta within term which expired at
o'clock tonight. announcing that if b
that time lie had not agreed to the salut
Of the American flag as requested the al
CONTINUED on Ninth Pags.l