Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-24
Defeated Federal Commander
Must Fight Again or Enter
Wilderness.
TAMPICO AGAIN NORMAL:
CONFIDENCE is RESTORED
Question Of Finances Giving Concern
to Constitutionalists-To Assess
Loan of 1,0oo,o 600 Pesos.

TAMPICO. May 23-Brought to a halt
in his march to the south. Gen. Morelos
Zaragoza. the defeated federal commander
of the Tampico garrison. will have to
face in battle once more the constitution
alists who drove him out of this place, or
enter the wilderness of mountains in the
Huasteca district to his west
Gen. Zaragoza was at Ozuluama, about
sixty miles from Tampico, yesterday
morning. according to advices received
by the constitutionalist commander here,
with force estimated at from 1000 to
5000 men.
One thousand constitutionalists under
Col. Rafarrate crossed the river south
Of here today, and moved in the direction
Of Ozuluama. There is moving north
ward and Slightly toward the interior
another force of constitutionalists of Gen.
uama as the objective point also.
II the federal commander chooses the
west, his path will be INSTRUCTED at Tan
toyuca by a small detachment of Agui-
lars men. These, however. probably will
offer no resistance, but the federals will
be followed by comparatively small
body of constitutionalists under orders to
harass Zaragoza in the mountains OF
Huasteca.
Tampico Is Again Normal.
The long siege of Tampico and the f1na
attack and capture Of the city by the
constituencies only nine days ago ap-
parently exist as almost forgotten memo
ries in the minds of the citizens today
Business is being transacted as usual
the theaters are open and confidence has
been fully restored.
Everywhere, as on the first entry Of
Caballero and his troops. perfect order Is
being maintained. Measures have beer
taken SO that the citizens now have ar
ample water supply.
Army, sanitary authorities are active
in cleaning the streets and are taking
every precaution against the spread of
disease with satisfactory results. All
departments of the civil government have
been restored to activity and many ex-
perienced employees of the former admin
istration have been reappointed to ONCE.
The principal problem for Gen. Cabal-
lero on entering the city was to keep his
men in control, and they yielded with
splendid discipline.
There is no lack of food here, but the
prices of all provisions have been great
ly increased. causing considerable suffer
ing among the poor. There is a growing
demand for laborers for work on the Oil
properties up the river and the refinertes
near the city.
Finances Causing Concern.
The question of finances is giving
much concern to the constituttonaltsts,
but this is expected to be relieved by
the port receipts on the full resump-
ton of traffic at the port. which Is now
confined to tank steamers loading Oh!
from the tanks in the neighborhood OF
the city. River traffic Is only pegln-
ming to be resumed.
A loan of 900 pesos is to be as
sessed against the citizens OF Iamplco'
foreign residents being exempted. al
that contributions from some Of the
foreign merchants would be welcome.
Bills issued by Huerta and Carranza
are being circulated on an equality.
but comparatively few of the latter are
offered. 1t Is reported that large
issue of bills is being printed at Mon
terey, secured by the Tampico port
Rear Admiral Mayo's flagship. Dolphin
and the cruiser Des Moines are lying In
the river off the city. The officers 60
ashore freely in citizens dress and visit
the battlefields. They have received
many courtesies at the hands OF all the
constitutionalist officers. The Connect
cut, the Birmingham and several de-
stroyers are lying off the port
The Vera Cruz Being Raised.
wa -
Of raising the gunboat Vera Cruz. which
was sunk by the federals ten miles up
the river, probably will soon be success
full, but the crew. before scuttling the
ship, disabled all the guns. The only
present obstruction in the river Is an
oil barge sunk by the federals off the
city.
Gen. Alberto Carrera Torres. who has
been operating near Cardenas. divi-
sion point on the railroad between San
Luis Potosi and Tampico recently de-
feated a considerable force of federals
which had moved out from San Luis Po-
tosi. This news was conveyed to the
constitutionalist headquarters here about
the same time as a telegram received
from Carranza reporting the presence of
Villa in front of Saltillo. and served to
tighten the spirits Of the Tambico Garri-
son.