The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-24

FOREIGNERS WERE TERRIFIED

City to reach Washington through Of
hcia1 sources has been forwarded to
Secretary Daniels by Rear Admiral
Fletcher. who secured the statements
from American refugees arriving In
Vera Cruz from the Mexican capital.
This is the statement:
~First news of landing received
about noon Tuesday and there was
much alarm. followed by extra re-
ports in 'El impartial Reports not
confirmed until four p. m. In the
afternoon news was circulated tnat
General Huerta would accede to the
demands OF the United States.
Later General Huerta received the
local reporters and correspondents
and announced that he had definitely
refused the demands OF the United
States. In spite of this general opin-
ion was that some time would elapse
before any definite break in diplo-
matte relations would occur.
Tuesday afternoon after the re-
ceipt of the news Of the landing, dem
onstrations were made. largely by
students and clerks. in the streets
which were hardly passable. Speech
es were made. Upon the receipt or
further news OF an alarming char
acter. which was given to the public
through additional extras OF the
papers, the character of the manifes-
tations became rather more bolster
Gus. Rocks were thrown at some Of
the American buildings, notably the
American club and some CONNER
cial establishments. It was reported
that two Americans while intoxicated
had been killed on the streets but no
confirmation was obtained.
Eager For News.
1.-The American colony largely
Onf oyvnfQ oGxV 0fCh-
ing for further news and particulars
from Vera Cruz but little was forth
coming except reports which were is
sued by the cable operator of Vera
Cruz. Tuesday night the cable offica
was still receiving cables subject to
censors. Early Wednesday morning
| the cable office was taken over by the
Mexican government.
There were manifestations through
! out the night, one Of which was an
attempt to pull down the statue OF
Washington. The procession proceeded
to the American embassy where
speeches were made but apparently Of
| a pacific or patriotic nature -
''Mr. OShaughne4sy had an interview
with General Huerta Tuesday after
an. General Huerta promised protec-
ton to all foreigners, especially Amer
leans and the same evening sent his
chief Of staff to the embassy building.
At the request Of Mr.. O'Shaughnessy
about 20 federal soldiers guarded the
embassy with a force of eight police.
Tho American consulate. which had
suffered some damage. was guarded
by q corresponding number of federal
soldiers.
'.The following morning 1t was an
tnounced that the Mexican government
had taken over the management Of the
railroads and that no trains would be
allowed to leave Mexico City without
special permission. 1t was further an-
nounced that all rolling stock on the
| Mexican railroad would be concentrate
ed at Apizaco and all the interoceanic
at Puebla and also the Vera Cruz
Isthmus railroad at Puebla.
/ The Refugee Train.
at declared that the British and
Herman ministers were making efforts
to- send down "a train with refugees
\ from their colonies and finally Wed
l nesday afternoon 1t was announced
ths. such a train would leave at
O'Clock but 1t was not known until late
lin the afternoon whether Americana
would be allowed to travel on it. How,
ever, at the station tickets were sold
apparently to all who presented them
selves without question Of nationality
The approximate numbers on this traif
were as follows:
Americans. $50; British. under 30
. German, about IS, and Mexicans, 800
First day alarm great but gradual
ly subsidized. Americans preferred re
manning in the city rather than taxi
chances of coming down on this trim
General Mas at Soleded. about 4
kilometers with about 5000 troops.
Il (Signed:) ''F14ETCHER.
American Flag Tfampled On.
From the refugees it was learned
that on Wednesday there was a repe
tition Of street demonstrations b!
mobs such as had also occurred earl