Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-17
Contributed Much to Their
Victory Over the FederaIs
at Tampico.
LATTER RAZED BARRACKS,
DESTROYING AMMUNITION
Victors Rushed Into Town, Shouting
"Viva Carranza, Viva Wilson,
But Little Looting.

VERA CRUZ. May 16.-A heavy rain
storm, which flooded the trenches and
blew binding torrents into the faces of
the federals. contributed much to their
defeat at Tampico, according 10 Ameri-
cans who have come here from that port.
After the first days fighting the fed
erals appeared 10 be weakening. but still
resisted. Overnight they made all prep
arations for n retreat. Trains stood in
readiness. with steam up.
At O'Clock the next morning a great
rainstorm from the eastward drove the
federals from the trenches. The consti-
tutionalists took advantage of this and
poured a terrific fire into them. forcing
them back from the outposts into the
town. Immediately the federals began
entraining.
constitutionalist shell, was run UP the
liver and beached. Soldiers and crew re
NAMED aboard waiting for the trains.
which soon passed the point, filed to
their utmost capacity with fleeing fed
erals. The other SunboatS moved down
the river. firing a few shells as they
went
The fcderals burned the barracks be
lore evacuating. destroying a large guam
iity of ammunition.
town shooting in the air and shouting
Viva Carranza! Viva Wilson"
Little Disorder or Looting.
There was little actual disorder and
little footing. Within two hours the water
supply and light connections were re-
stored; police guarded the town and the
saloons were closed Several persons en-
gagged in lootiug were Shor
During the early part of the action
federals raided the Southern Hotel, TAX
ing all arms and money found. The
German consul, r. Everbusch, accom-
panied by the American vice consul
Thomas II. Bevan. proceeded through the
residential district and placed German
seals on all the houses. These were
not touched. The refugees knew of no
Eases of private houses having been
looted.
drawbridge on the San Luis Potosi line
at the edge of the city and crippled the
mechanism. They then proceeded to
Ebanol, two miles west, where they plan
ned to cross into the state of Vera Cruz
by pontoon bridge. which they had
previously constructed. 1t is reported
that they were surrounded at that place
by the constitutionalist chief. Gen
Aguiiar. who had moved up from the
south with heavy force.
been reopened and Americans are re-
turning on every steamer.
Port to Be Supply Base.
With Tampico occupied it is expected
that that part of Mexico will cease al
most Immediately to be the scene of
Gonstitutionalist operations, EXCEPT for
the part the port will play as base fer
supplies. The government has already
declared 1t a closed port, but should this
order be disregarded and clearance given
IN any port for Tampico 1t is not anti
cipated that Huerta will dispute seriously
The right of foreign vessels TO enter
Should President Huerta blockade,
there will be plenty for his two gunboats
IN the gulf to do. as. including Mata-
rnoros. the constitutionalists now have in
their possession three ports north of
Vera Cruz. Small boats might land car
goes either at Alatamoros or Tuxpan.
To the west of Tampico the only fed
erals are those who evacuated Jampico
and they appear to be in a hopeless posi-
ton Retreating along the railroad to-
ed by large forces, who for many weeks
have been controlling the region south
and east of Cerritos. about half way to
san Luis Potosi.
Little Chance to Escape.
In their rear is a strong detachment,
sent forward by Gen. Pablo Gonzales
from his army holding Tampico. The
federals. greatly reduced in number and
carrying only a small amount of ammu-
milton, are believed TO have slight chance
of escape
With this band disposed of the consti-
tutionalists will be in absolute control
westward TO the line which runs from
As-.t% u,
pair the railroads from Tampico to San
Luis Potosi will take considerable time.
but with the railroad from Tampico to
Monterey in operation there is nothing
apparently to prevent Gen. Gonzales from
reinforcing the constitutionalists at
Monterey and moving on SaItiilo and San
Luis Potosi
1t is not believed that the federals are
in a position to do anything but act on
the defensive at either of these places
against attacks by the combined consti-
nationalist armies. The only communica-
ton with the United States from Tampico
by rail or telegraph is in a roundabout
way through Monterey. Monterey is
connected by rail and wire with Saltillo
and San Luis Potosi. and direct com
rnunicatiou with the United States is
possible By way of Eagle Pass or Lar
edo. Communication by the constitution
alist army. whose hearquarters are at
Torreon, and that in the east has al
graph from Torreon to Monterey.
Both Short of Ammunition.
II is not regarded by military men as
difficult for'the constitutionalists TO hold
their lines of communication to the rear
in any direction. but they are not inclined
10 regard a sweeping advance by the
consututIonalists into the south lands
as a simple matter. The constitutional
ists are known to be short of ammunition
and their tactics heretofore have not beon
such as to warrant the belief that they
viii move quickly and strike hard In
the advance on Saltillo and San Luis
Potosi they Will encounter many OBJ
stacles because of the nature of the
country. and 1t is thought that Huerta
VIII urge his men 10 stubborn resist
ance. 1t is realized. however. that the
morale of Huertas army Is growing
worse, and II is known that he, too. is
short of ammunition.
Shift Your Gears.