The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-03-17
WARNED OF DANGER
AMERICAN CITIZENS TOLD TO
LEAVE CITY OF MEXICO
Ships At VERA Cruz

JWla d n5 sLMn UAUG
Evacuation of Capital Said to Hare
Begm-Battleship Georgia and
Cruiser Washington Are Sent to
Seaport ToWn-Drastic Steps Pre-
pared For.
American citizens again have been
warned to leave Mexico City in view
Of the critical situation. Secretary
Bryan announced Tuesday night that
transportation facilities would be
sought for as many as desired to
leave. =.
The battleship Georgia and the ar
mored cruiser Washington were or
dcred by Secretary Daniels, after con-
ferences with President Wilson, to
proceed Immediately to Vera Cruz.
Consular messages from Vera Cruz
stated that it was reported that the
evacuation Of Mexico City has already
started, -s-s.s
Enrique C. Llorente, G@en. Villas
Washington representative, received
a message saying Zapatista forces oc-
cupied Mexico City Tuesday, immedi-
aIely on the evacuation by Obregon's
troops.
Word came from American Consul
Silliman that he had delivered to Gen.
CarranZa the formal note from the
United States government demanding
an improvement IN conditions for for
eigners in territory under Carranza's
control.
These were the principal Develop
ments Tuesday in the Mexican sit1a-
ton, the importance Of which over
shadowed in ofhcisl Washington In.
terest in the European war. Although
| the contents of the note to CarralZa
| were not announced, its tone i'm
pressed members Of the diplomatic
| corps that serious consequences
would ensue if Carrsnza failed to
heed its demands. The United States,
it was learned, described conditions
as "intoIerable" and called on Car
rama to take steps necessary to cor.
rect the situation. Incendiary utter
ances Of Gen. Obregon were noted as
| likely to stir up feeling against for
eigners, giving rise possibly to riots
! and outrages.
The note pointed out that II harm
| befell foreigners the American gov
ernnent would hold Carranza officials
personally responsible" and would
take the necessary meaLs to impose
! the responsibility where It belonged.
| The communication was not IN the
| nature Of an ultimatum. President
Wilson himself declared that the
[ United States did not utter ultima
tums but presented views and acted
accordingly.
In view Of the American warning,
it was considered likely that Obregon
forces would not evacuate Mexico
City without arranging for the po-
licing Of the city. Reports that evac-
uation had begun and that no dis
orders had arisen brought feeling Of
relief to officials, who believed Car
/ rama would not fail to answer the
American government with the requt-
site action for the protection OF FOR
| eigners.
There was N absence In Official
quarters Of apprehension that drastic
measures would be required to en-
force the American note. The move
ment Of warships to Mexican waters
and the%warning to Americans, It ts,
admitted, however, had been decided
| On out Of an abundance OF precau-
| ton.
The entry Of Zapatista forces, It
was believed, would relieve the situa-
tion, as It would mean the reopening
Of communication with the American
border.
The. sending OF the warships to
Vera Cruz, it was stated on high
authority. was for the purpose OF con-
vincing Carranza Of the determine
ton of the United States to take drasc
tic steps If finally comuelled by cir
| cumstances to do 80. In view Of the
| interruption Of railroad communica-
ton between Mexico city and Vera
| Cruz, except for military purposes,
| the state department was prepared
to insist that trains be provided for
Americans who desire to reach the
| sea.
The Carranza agency issued anott-
er denial Of reports Of Gen. Obregon's
activities, giving telesram from OBJ
RECON himself denying that he had in-
terfered with shipments Of food to
the city President Wilson himself.
indicated that some Of the reports
about conditions In the capital were
exaggerated. but said the fear OF
riots and outrages and the food FAM
inc had brought about serious s1tua-
ton. It is known, too. from reports
from the Brazilian minister that Cen.
Obregon refused transportation facili-
ties for the International relief COM
mittee to bring supplies into the capt-
tai.