The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-29
MARTIAL Law DECLARED,
ADMIRAL FLETCHER is ABSO.
Lutte RULER Ar VERA
CRUZ.
Change Will Probably Bring More
Mexican Officials Back to Their
Posts to Assist I'm Restoring Func-
tiOns OF Government. Americans
Are Believed to BE Safe.

vera Cruz, April 26.-Vera Cruz to-
niSht Is under martial law. Rear Ad-
mlral Frank f. Fletcher, commanding
the American naval forces on shore,
today issued a proclamation to this cf-
feet, and the last opportunity Mexi-
cans had for handling their own af-
fairs in Vera Cruz under their own
laws disappeared.
Admiral Fletcher and his staff de-
termined there should be no more
quibbling with the Mexican officials
regarding form Of government, and
until further notice residents of this
port will live and be judged by mill
tary law. The word has gone forth
that disorders and unruliness in any
form will receive severe punishment.
This proclamation makes Admiral
Fletcher absolute ruler ashore 1t is
believed martial law will open the way
for more Of the city and federal en-
ployes to return and cooperate in
restoring the local governments func-
tions. Mexicans point out that these
men now will be in a position to ex-
plain to their friends and the existing
government at the capital that under
martial law they felt obliged to re-
turn to their work.
An order that all arms be turned
in by residents by noon today brought
to the headquarters Of the provost
marshall bushels of small arms and
stacks of rifles.
The city was quiet last night and
ii there was sniper in action tho
fact was not reported to division head
quarters.
Many Mexican officials have report
cd their Willingness to resume their
duties of office under the supervision
OF the Americans. The American Off
cials named to date to assist in the
supervision of the municipal govern
ment are:
Commander II. o. Stickney Of the
Prairie, captain of the port; Fleet
Surgeon Il. w. Spratlin, sanitary in
spector; Commander ID. +. Sellers of
the Arkansas, provost marshal; Com
mander John NJ. Luby of the South
Carolina, director of the pOstofIicc
Robert Diaz, mayor of Vera Cruz, has
agreed to resume his office, and it has
been arranged that public schools
shall be reOpened tome row.
The efforts of Rear Admiral Fletch.
er. supplemented by those Of the Brit
ish commander, Rear Admiral Sir
Christopher Craddock, and the French
and German consuls and private citi-
zens to bring about the departure
from the interior Of all foreigners who
wish to leave are being continued
encrgetically. but the hope of getting
out more than a small part Of those
left is diminishing hourly.
Federal Gen. Mas has established
his headquarters at Soledad, 16 miles
from Vera Cruz, and his men are
tearing up the railroad tracks. The
gap between Tejera, the water sup
ply station, which is guarded by the
Americans, and Soledad, has grown,
and it is now no simple tasl; for
refugees to get themselves and Their
belongings across the open space.
Sir Christopher Craddock, through
Sir Lionel Garden. who has resumed
charge of the British embassy at the
capital, is urging President Huerta to
permit the departure of all foreigners
from Mexico City. 1t is considered
possible that one or two more trains
at least will be permitted to pass
through. But there appears u fair
chance that those who have fallen uu-
der the displeasure Of Huerta and arc
in the custody of his forces will bo
held.