Evening star., 1914-05-18
WARNED BY BRYAN
AGAINST RETURNING
Refugees Advised to Stay
Away From Mexico-Dr.
Edwin R. Ryan Here.

secretary Bryan reftefaIeQ To-Day ms
advice to Americans not to return to
Mexico under conditions now prevailing.
When Mr.. Bryan had called to his at
tention reports that many American ref
ugees desired to return to NeH:cn he
said that the department certainly would
not encourage it.
Agents of the State Department are
actively seeking to cement assurances
from constitutionalist leaders at Tam
pico to protect the foreign oil operators
there from oppressive treatment. Moved
by representations from the Netherlands
minister here. Secretary Bryan himself
has protested against seventies on the
part of the constitutiona!ists in admin
istrating the laws in the oil section.
DIR. Edward r. Ryan. VINO as a repre-
sentative of the American Fed Cross and
of the State Department was arrested in
Mexico and held for some time as spy
by the Huerta forces. reported to the
State Department here today. Confer
ences with Secretary Bryan and later
DR.. Ryan. He said he could make no
statement regarding his experiences in
Mexico. He expects to return 20 that re-
public and fears that il he breaks his
pledge not to divulge the indignities to
which he was subjected he will answer
for it with his life.
Robert J. Kerr in City.
Robert ]. Kerr of Chicago and Mexico
City. who was provisional governor OF
Vera Cruz for a short time following the
entrance of American forces into that
city, also arrived in Washington today
and called at the White House. He came
to the United States by way of Havana
md r. r,o1
in Washington to lay information relat.
ing to Vera Cruz conditions before the
President. He was in conference with
Secretary Garrison for almost an hour.
Mr.. Kerr said that while he had good
deal to say. he did not care to make an,
statement for the present. He hoped to
be able to speak with the President, he
stated. and he was remaining in Wash.
ington for that purpose.
Officials Of the Mexican government
believe that the American cavalryman
Samuel Parks. was killed. This Is in
dicated in dispatch received at the
State Department from the Brazilian
minister in Mexico City today. He says
the Mexican minister for foreign af-
punish the men guilty Of Parks muir
der, II 1t occurred. The foreign Office
also promised an investigation of the
alleged Imprisonment of an American
Smith family reported from Tonala sev-
eral days ago.
The Brazilian minister in Mexico City
informed the State Department today
that he had renewed his inquiry to thu
foreign office as to the actual release o
American Vice Consul John r. SillimaI
at saltillo. Secretary Bryan said the bes
Information in the department Is tina
Siliiman had been released. It Is sup
posed he has been unable either to go t.
Mexico City or to report his release be
cause Of interrupted railroad and tele
graphic communication.
Many Refuse to Leave.
The Brazilian minister in Mexico Cit,
| reported today that he was completing
| arrangements for the departure Of 25'
| American refugees who will go by trail
to Puerto Mexico. where they will taxi
ship for the United States. The minister
added that there still are large number
| of Americans who decline to leave Mex
leo City.
Consul Letcher from Ell Paso today
informed the State Department that the
constitutionaltsts have ordered a Wig
| orous campaign against the guerrills
band under former Federal Gen. Que
zada, whose depredattons on the border
have been the subject Of urgent repre-
! sentations by the department. Que
| zada's latest threat to destroy thu
windmills supplying water to cattle OF
| American-owned ranches resulted in al
| imperative demand from the State De
partment that he be suppressed. Con
| sui Letcher also reported that Gen. Car
rama has ordered an investigation o.
the reported seizure of bullion belong.
ing to the Bacis Gold and Silver Mining
Company near Durango.
In response to inquiries az to the re
ported detention of foreigners at Quima
this. Gen. Obregon informed constitu
tionalist headquarters. according to Con
sui Letcher. that all foreigners have beer
permitted to leave the territory he con
trolls without molestation.
The authorities at Parral.A Consul
Letcher reported, have sent agents to E
Paso to persuade the American refugees
there to return and reopen their mines
and other industrial plants.
Consul Letcher today returned to his
post at Chihuahua.