Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-24
American Refugees, Arriv-
ing at Vera Cruz, Tell
of Critical Situation.
IS LITTLE PROTECTION
Bands Parade Streets Singing
National Anthem and Utter
ing Death Threats.

Vero Cruz. Mexico. April PA
refugee train from Mexico City carry
ing $50 Americans, 100 Germans, 500
Spaniards and Mexicans and so Eng
lishmen, arrived here last evening
under the personal supervision of
Thomas Hosler. charge of affairs of
the British legation.
Mobs in the streets of Mexico City
were trampling under foot the stars
and stripes and were threatening
American pedestrians when the refu-
gee train left for Vera Cruz. The posi-
| tion of those Americans left in the
federal capitol is regarded as criti-
cal
Charge O'Shaughnessy. Lieutenant
Rowan of the navy. and Captain Burn
side of the army were to leave on
Thursday night for Manzanilla, on the
Pacific coast. under special arrange
ment with Huerta-
When extra editions OF the newspa-
pers announced the jnnding of Ameri-
can forces at Vera Cruz crowds of
students and government employees
began to gather. BY dusk a mob had
assembled in front of the American
club. smashed windows and howled
insults and threats at Americans in
side. all of whom they threatened with /
assassination.
Police Witness Robbery.
Appeal to the federal governor
brought police protection, but not be- /
fore the crowd had shattered many 1
windows in the club house and in ad-
joining property belonging to Ameri-
cans. Until 2 this morning bands of
excited Mexicaus marched the streets
singing the Mexican national anthem
and shouting. death for Americans"
At midnight a jewelry store was
looted while police looked on. The
American club. the leading American
hostelry and the offices of the Mexican
Herald were closed owing to threats
Of mobs to burn them and murder oc-
cupants.
All American officials employed by
the national railroads and the MeXi-
can railway company were immediate
y discharged by the government in
,rder that no trains could be operated {
except under the supervision of the {
government
At the American embassy orders
we're looked for from the Mexican
that arms and ammuni-
ion recently permitted to enter should
,e given up. This was for the seiz- L
ire of Vera Cruz by the American c
leet. At Wednesday evening I
)'Shaughnessy had not received his
,assports, but he was preparing to
cave. The refugee train took "a
ours to Vera Cruz.
taeaN
attleship Louisiana arrived today and
inded detachments Of marines and
luejackets. The Mississippi also pre- -
ared to send ashore 700 men and *
40 aeroplanes. Marines and blue,
ackets are quartered all about the :,
Ity. -
Tomorrow the total force ashore %
i'll probably reach $500. Outposts
ave been equipped with IL machine 4
uns and several three-inch field guns. n
More than two hundred and fifty X
Iexican sick and wounded were found
San Sebastian hospital when IL was =
spected today by a navy surgeon.
mong the wounded there was only
le woman who was hit in the arm
the hospital there. were 40 Mexi- 81
ms lying dead. supply of ammuni- cC
On was also found there The build fr
& had been protected from Ameri-
N fire by a hospital flag, but it ap- ye
,ars certain there was much sharp
ooting from the roof of the hos pc
tai.
Three American surgeons are as
sting at the hospital All American Z
1unded were taken aboard the So
re. which carries excellent medical la
uipment-
Stiekney Administers Customs.
Herman o. Stickney OF
3 Prairie. appointed commander of
3 port. today undertook the admin Nj
ration OF the customs. For time IN
ere will be in reality two customs nc
uses. Mariana Ascarraga, the Mexi- do
a customs collector. is no. inclined B
serve under American supervision, no