The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-03-17
CRISIS AWAITED ATIpR0GRESO
MANY DIFFICULTIES COME Up
AT MEXICAN PORT.
Conditions at Mexico City improved.
but Worse at PrOgrcsO on East and
ManZaniIlO on West.


order by the Nilla-Zapata govern
ment, situations fraught with difficult
ties for the United States government
have arisen at Progreso, the east coast
port, and at Manzanillo, on the Pa
cific.
The American consul at Manzanillo
reports condition Of anarchy there
and that Carranza troops are unable
to maintain order. Foreigners are an
prehensive. he declares and the food
supply is decreasing, while Villa
Zapata troops are investing the towns
approaches. Admiral Howard. COM
manding the Pacific fleet, is reported
ready to take foreigners away if con-
ditions do not improve.
Progreso, the port from which vir-
tually all the sizal hemp used for
American binding twine is shipped
has been ordered closed to foreign
commerce by Gen. Carranza. The
United States cruiser Des Moines is at
Progreso under orders to see that
there is no interference with Ameri-
can commerce.
| Strong representations have. been
sent to Gen. Carranza, but no word
has been received as to his attitude.
Meanwhile navy department reports
from the Des Moines state the Mexi-
can gunboat Zaragoza, sent to Pro-
greso to enforce Carranza's port clos
ing order. has been forced to turn
back to Vera Cruz because of bad
weather and that two American ships
laden with sizal hemp cleared yes
terday.
Officials felt relieved over the en-
couraging reports from Mexico City.
The Brazilian minister telegraphed the
following to the state department:
'Ismael PalafoX. who was in COM
mand of the foreign office of the con-
vention. resumed charge again. I
have placed before him the full facts
in the McManus case and he promises
everything will be done Immediately to
cause punishment Of the guilty parties
and arrange to pay suitable indemnity
to the family"
1t is expected here that with the
return of Gen. Palafox the convention
which had been removed to Cuerna-
vaca when Mexico City was evacuated
soon would be reconvened in the lat
ter place and that Rogue Gonzalez
Cara, temporary executive Of the
convention, would be put in charge of
the government.
With conditions better in Mexico
City, President Wilson has been giving
his personal attention to the situation
at Progreso, as he has been informed
that the entire wheat crop of the
United States might be seriously al
fected by the inability Of farmers to
get harvesting twine.
! Secretary Tumulty conferred with
Counselor Lansing early today con-
cerning the Progreso situation and
later Secretary Daniels was in con-
ference with Rear Admiral Fiske.
aide for operations. While no new or
ders were sent, it is understood that
the Des Moines was further informed
Of the necessity for freedom of COM
mercial communication with the Mexi-
can port
The revolutionary movement at
Progresso. capital of the State of
Iucatan. is entirely tho result of To-
cal conditions. Recently the acts of
the Carranza governor are alleged to
have become intolerable to tho gar
rison and the people Of Progrcso and
ne was forced to flee. A delegation
was sent to Carranza informing him
that the opposition was not direct
ed against him, but his appointee as
governor. The first chiefs answer was
the order for the blockading of the
port.
ers and prominent Mexicans who have
come to Washington to secure the
aid OF the United States government i'm
Keeping the port open. have informed
officials that when Carranza sent the
gunboat TO Progreso to enforce the
blockade several weeks ago a ruse was
resorted to which resulted in the de-
struction Of the vessel a small tug
was loaded with vegetables. Inside of
Don OF lard was concealed dyra-
mite bomb.
The gunboat promptly seized the |
tug and took its vegetables and lard |
aboard. The bomb. which was regu- !
lated by time fuse, exploded several !
hours later destroying ,hc vessel.
News of military operations in Mex !