Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-01
ENSIGN TOWNSEND
|SPEACE FACTOR
Efforts to Promote Friendly
Feeling Among Vera Cruz
Mexicans Fruitful.
BY WINGRovE BATHoN,

STAFF Correspondent of The Star with the United
States Forces at Vera Cruz.
VERA CRUZ. May Washing tonians
are leaders in every line of effort being
made by the United States forces here.
Whether in fighting or in promoting
peace l have found Washington men in
the front rank
A notable example of this is Ensign
Lawrence Townsend. regarding whose
achievement in dislodgng snipers from
the belfry OF an old church l have pre-
viously cabled The Star That time at
the head of about twenty marines from
the Utah he accomplished one of the
most perilous and picturesque acts dur
ing the three days fighting. Since then
he has done more than any one man to
promote a friendly feeling among the
Mexican inhabitants.
An excellent linguist and conversant
with the customs of this country. he vis-
its among the prominent Mexican fami-
lies. reassuring them of the kindly inten-
tions of the Americans, and has proven
himself a veritable apostle of peace. We
are already experiencing the benefits OF
his course and his conduct has merited
the appreciation of Admiral Fletcher and
Gen. Funston. supporting their efforts to
heN1tan Stii -SoN ei iei {
under martial law.
Ensign Townsend is the son Of Law
renee Townsend. former United States
minister to Portugal. now treasurer of
the Washington Gas Light Company, who
lives at 1416 2Oth street Washington.
o'Shaughnessy Defends Course
Nelson O'Shaughnessy, who had been
charge of the United States embassy in
Mexico City until he was given his pass
ports by Huerta when the United States
ordered the taking of the port of Vera
Cruz is on his way to Washington. He
resents criticisms of his handling of af-
fairs in the Mexican capital. protesting
that he did his best under most difficult
circumstances and that he has worked
Loyalty for the present Washington ad-
ministration.
1T grieves me more than l care to
state" Mr.. OShaughnessy told me today,
that the story has been printed that the
President told the foreign relations COM
mittee lhat he would get rid of me If he
could. ] cannot believe that the Pres1den
ever said any such a thing. or that while
] was vet in the diplomatic service that
he openly criticised my conduct OF official
affairs. but the story has been printed,
and there are MANY who VIII never be
convinced but that II is true
"All the time / have been in Mexico
City nv lot has been a hard one trying
70 amicably coordinate affairs regarding
which if the whole truth We're known,
some of my most bitter critics would
have found themselves in pretty hot wa
tor | did my level best in the interests
of peace even to my own personal danger.
Denies He Is a Republican.
II am going directly to Washington to
report personally to Secretary Bryan and
tho President. and I am sure I can con-
vince them that did nothing that merits
censure for my official conduct.
..It has been said that ! am repub-
l;can and have not worked in harmony
w;,h the present administration. This is
untrue am not affiliated with any
marty but my father and grandfather
were democrats.
Il have not decided about my plans
for the future ! am thinking seriously
of running for Congress from the Madison
Suuare, n Y, district. where l was born
| have several very good business propo-
sitions under consideration, but will not
definitely decide on any course until l
have reported to the proper officials in
Washington" -