Evening star., 1914-04-08
SEEKING TO learn
ATTITUDE OF SPAIN
Expulsion of Her Subjects
From Mexico Regarded as of
Grave Moment.
NO LOOTING OF PROPERTY,
tNSURGENT AGENTS SAY
Claim That Deportation Was for
Just Cause-Rear Admiral Mayo
Protects Americans.

Official interest of Washington authori-
ties regarding Mexican troubles centers
today about how far Gen. Villa is going
to so in the expulsion of Spaniards and
seizure of their property: how far Gen.
Carranza, the constitutonalst leader, is
going to let him go; just how vigorous
the United States is going to be in pro-
tecting the interests of the Spaniards
under international law. and how well
satisfied the Spanish authorities are go
ing to be with what the American govern
ment does.
The situation is tense and opinion is
generally expressed that there is grave
likelihood of serious consequences.
Position of U. S. Government.
Official announcement by the State De-
partment of the governments present
position was made today as follows:
Unofficial representations made to
Gen. Carranza by the representatives of
the Department Of State have developed
that Gen. Carranza is not disposed to in
terfere with orders given. by Gen. Villa
as to the deportation of Spanish sub
jects in territory occupied by the con-
stitutionalsts.'
1t was said that the terms of the de-
cree of expulsion have not yet been re-
ceived. Most officials take the view that
there is no alternative for the United
States except to receive and care for the
exiles as International law provides.
Spaniards driven out of Chihuahua have
declined offers of assistance in El Paso
and set about maintaining themselves by
every means at hand.
Americans Under Protection.
American women and children in Dona
Cecilia. suburb of Tampico. have been
brought into the city proper by order of
Rear Admiral Mayo in order that their
lives may not be endangered by the fight
ing between the Mexican federals and
constltutionalists at that point. This in
formation was received at the Navy De-
partment today in report from Rear
Admiral Fletcher. commanding the Amer
lean squadron in the Mexican gulf
The dispatch confirms earlier reports
of heavy fighting in Tampico Monday,
and states that although there is some
alarm in Tampico it is not thought that
the present attack is a serious one.
Admiral Fletcher forwarded to the
Navy Department this report. which he
received yesterday from Admiral Mayo:
Sharp lighting during the day until q,
Vera Cruz firing all day. Do not be-
lieve this is serious attack on Tampico,
lery, but report is persistent they will
have some soon. Gov. Caballeros is in
command of the rebels.
Some alarm in town. but not acute.
Have brought American women and chill
dren from Dona Cecilia into Tampico.
Some non-combatants injured. The Pro-
greso at Tamesi did some firing latter
part of afternoon. Dresden arrived at
Tampico 6 am. Connecticut. Minnesota,
Des Moines, Chester, Dolphin and San
Francisco now at Tampico. Admiral Grad
dock leaves for Tampico today on the
Essex.
Expulsion Classed as "Persecution." J"
Senior A. Algara, charge of the Mexi-
can embassy, today denounced the expul-
sion Of Spaniards from Torreon as per-
secution and a deliberate scheme to plum
der their properties. He described as a
base libel the assertion by constitution
alist officials that these Spaniards were
keepers of saloons and low dives in Tor
reon.
At constitutionalist headquarters word
was received today that the first train
load of the Spaniards who had been ex-
PEELED from Torreon had reached Jaurez
This fact was pointed to by constitutions
alist spokesmen as verification that Villa
is in control of Torreon, and that he holds
the railroad into the city. In fact, they
claim that the constitutionalists now con-
troll and have trains in operation on 29OC
to have 1000 more soon after Monterey
and Saltilo have been taken.
Expulsion of the Spaniards." say con-
stitutionaIist officials. ''is for no other
reason than because they have given aid
and comfort to the enemy, and to fulfill
the warning that Villa twice gave them
not to pursue such a course. There is
no intention of looting their estates. All
| their movable properties they are allowed
| to take with them. Their landed in
| terests will not be disturbed. There is
no idea of summary conf1scation of
property. and they will be allowed to re-
| turn as soon as hostilities are over
U. S. Appeals to Carranza.
Vigorous representations have been sent
| from the United States government to
Gen. Carranza, the constitutionalist lead
er. urging that he modify the order of
Gen. Villa expelling Spaniards from Tor
reon. This situation is giving grave con-
Germ to officials here. Both the State De-
partment and the Spanish ambassador are
embarrassed in dealing with the situation
at Torreon because official notice Is lack
ing regarding the exact terms of the ex-
pulsion decree and the extent to which II
has been enforced.
1t is understood that Villa in a public