The Washington times., 1914-03-09

Gen. W. Il. Snyman. the former Boer
general, no. accGrGin" /" represent
ati"nS made TO the department by Am
nasSado7 SpringRice, has been ORDER
60 from his 3,900-acrc ranch, La
Eeina. fo-ty-fve miles south of Chi
hu8hU2, and the estate contsCated.
The Navy Department this morning
received from Lear admiral Fletcher
a wireless dispatch confirming the re-
ported attack by the rebels near Tam
pico. The ConstituilonaiiS+s are now
nassing about TampicC TO the mum
ber of 1000. The federal garrison
numbers 1900. The british cruiser
Hermiune and The German cruiser
Dresden Lave left Vera Cruz for TAM
rico, and the French cruiser Conde is
row at Vera Cruz preparing to go to
Tampico. The Connecticut. with the
commander OF the Fourth division on
board, and the Minnesota have reach
Cd Tampico. and the hospital ship So
lace has started for tnat port.
The President was considerably exer-
ports that Germany had notified this
Government that unless complete pro-
lection is accorded German subjects in
Mexico, il will act independently iE fur
nishing such protection. The President
told his callers that such a report was
malicious and absolutely untrue. The
attitude of the Kaiser's government
has been one of forbearance. and it has
recognized the right of the United
States to deal with the Mexican situa-
tion it considers best.
Tie President made il very plain to-
day that he does not expect passage of
tire Poindexter and Jones resolutions
demand ng that he furnish the Senate
an explanation of the veiled allusions in
his message on the Panama canal tolls
question
Ever if it is passed. however. 1t was
very plain from his attitude that the
President will disregard this demand, on
the ground that public policy requires
him to withhold the asked for informa-
ton
LAREDO, Tex, March 9-For storm
center of international affairs Laredo
IS exceptionally grim and quiet today.
The attitude of Governor Colquitt in
standing pat behind his rangers and
putting the situation entirely up to the
Washington authorities IS reflected in
the demeanor of every citizen.
The rangers went into Mexico, took
the body of Vergara from its grave at
Hidalgo Cemetery and brought 1t back
here. That is all there is to it. except
for the fact that the Texas authorities
announce they intend TO do the same
thing whenever occasion arises.
Everything about the State end OF the
eftua tion is open and aooveboard-naked
10 the public gaze. The rangers merely
feel they did their duty and don't see
any reason for ticking up fuss about
*. They have done ii before. And
they say they'll do it again.
Facts Are Few.
The facts are so few and so simply
told that there is really nothing to the
story except just this:
Acting under orders of Governor Col
quit, Captain Saunders and a small
squad Of rangers entered Mexico from
Laredo to secure the body Of Clemente
Vergara, the rancher. who was lured
by the Federal soldiers to an island
belonging to the United States in the
Rio Grande and was beaten to death
The federal general in charge had de-
clined TO permit the body to be sent
TO the United States. Governor Col
quit demanded the body. that an ex-
animation might be made to determine
the cause of death. He asked the State
Department to permit him to send for
II. Becoming dissatisfied at the atti-
tude Of both the Washington and the
Mexican authorities he then ordered
Saunders to go and get it
Saunders simply obeyed orders. His
squad rode to Hidalgo, through bodies
Of Mexican troops, without molesta-
ton. They proceeded to the cemetery
vhere Nergara was buried, exhumed
The remains. prepared them for trans
portation, and returned with them TO
the United States. crossing the Rio
Grande a few miles northwest Of La
redo. American Consul Garrett. Of
Nuevo Laredo, deputy sheriffs of the
county in which Vergara was killed,
and other officials were waiting for
Saunders and his men when they
crossed the river.
Identified By Son.
The body was not badly decomposed,
despite the fact that three weeks have
elapsed since it was buried Identifica-
ton was easily and undubitably estab-
Hshed. The son Of the dead man not
only recognized the features of his
father. but proved beyond doubt his
identification was correct by taking
piece of cloth from the trousers worn
by the dead man and matching it with
the coat which Vergara wore the day
he left for the scene OF his death.
The march of the rangers into Mexico
was made as quietly as possible They
made the overland mrach OF five miles TO
Hidalgo at night and, riding around the
town. went directly to the cemetery.
There was no difficulty in locating the
grave. Nor was there any time lost
In disinterring the remains. When the
body was raised il was wrapped in a
cloth that had been brought for the
purpose and placed on a stretcher.
This was carried by six of Fergara's
friends. At no time was the party
stopped or questioned. although the SOL
crowds of people. and several times
through detachments of troops. There
was no violence or any threats
The body is now at the old Vergara
home, northwest of Laredo. 1t is under
stood that the thorough examination
which has been ordered by the Texas
authorities will be made here, and that
here also Will the United States conduct
sny investigation it might see fit to
make.
Incident Is Closed.
So far as the Texans are concerned.
the incident is closed, except only the
matter Of running down the murderers
Of the man. What will be done in this
respect depends upon what action the
Washington authorities are disposed 20
take. The State officials are perfectly
willing TO give Washington a chance. it
IS explained, but they demand action,
and if the State Department does not
provide II, the matter probably will again
be placed in the hands of the rangers.
and a squad will be sent into Mexico
10 arrest the men found to be respon-
siblC for the murder.
Carranza Puts Gag on
All His SubordinateS