Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-30

Vera Cruz, April 29.-Mr. O'Shaugh-
messy and Arnold Shanklin the Ameri-
can counsel general at Mexico City,
who came out with him, are still here
awaiting orders. So far as Is known
they have given no intimation as to
their possible Instructions from Wash
ington. This is construed here to mean
that the state department retains hope
Of satisfactory adjustment Of the pres
ent dificulty which would make 1t
possible for these OH cials to return
to Mexico City, Consequently their
return to the United States might be
inexpedient.
The release by General Gustavo
Mas, the federal commander outside
of Vera Cruz of the hundred refugees
who we're brought in from Soledad
yesterday by Commander Tweedie,
clears the territory between Vera Cruz
and Mexico City on the direct line OF
communication of all Americans with
the exception Of few scattered fam
lilies whose whereabouts are not
known. Some may have made their
way to the capital; others to coast
ports, and some are supposed to be In
hiding with friendly Mexican ranchers.
Consul Canada has been unable to
communicate directly with the Ameri-
can refugees and he is urging the
Brazilian minister at Mexico City to
make inquiries regarding them
through channels controlled by Presi'
dent Huerta.
Many Want News.
Consul Canada's office is flooded
with cablegrams inquiring for the safe
ty of this or that person. AS fast as
the lists containing the names of those
who reach the coast and start for
Galveston are received they are COM
municated to the state department at
Washington.
At Soledad refugees are enthusiastic
in praise of Commander Tweedie
whose determined stand they believe,
alone saved them from probably death
or at least prolonged suffering. On
being released from the penitentiary at
Soledad where they had been confined
as a protection against the mob. the
refugees were taken to the railroad
track and handed over to a Mexican
major who had no instructions as to
what to do with them A train bound
1Or Mexico Slly pdSSSu. UuL IuOy VSi .
not permitted to board it.
After waiting hours in the blazing |
sun, Commander Tweedie's train
steamed into sight. bound for Vera
Cruz. Several refugees approached the
British officer and told Of the plight.
''You need not worry Commander
Tweedie answered. This train will
not leave without you.' Commander
Tweede calmly insisted to the Mexi-
can officer that he be permitted to
take the Americans with him to Vera
Cruz and he refused to listen to the
Off GERS protest that he had no author
ity In the matter. The federal officer
finally capitulated and fastened back
to the city for instructions, returning
in an hour with permission for the
tired hungry and nervous Americans
to depart.
Mexican Colonel Gallant.
The refugees told also of the gallant
conduct of the Mexican military COM
mander at Soledad and of the mayor,
who made every effort to protect the
refugees from the mob in the street.
On the night when the situation was
serious the mayor made an
address to the citizens urging them to
be calm The most effective work
however, was done by the command
ant, who seized several hundred of the
most ardent rioters, pressed them into
the army and sent them away to the
capital to fill the rank OF General
forces There was no further
open display of hostility by the towns
people. The refugees say that only
Continued on PaaA g y l-----> !