TaÌˆgliches Cincinnatier volksblatt. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1885-1919, 1915-06-26
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BY R. C. DUFF

1t was approximately 10 months
from the date Of the bombardment
of Vera Cruz, in Mexico. by the
American feet. 70 the date OF tho
siGking of the Lusitania In 81.
Georges Channel by German sub
marine.
Tho day (Aprii 22nd. 1910 that
the American feet began firing on
Vera Cruz there were about 1000
american citizens, men. women and
children, in Tampico. The occurrence
es OF that day, al Tampico. have been
related to me by q gentleman who
arrived there a few days later. and
who received the story from Ameri-
cans present and participating In the
matters that transpired. Contempo-
raneous newspaper reports, recall.
were connrmatory Of the larger de-
tails.
When tidings from Vera Cruz Of
the attack on that port by the Amer
ican feet reached Tampico the. Mex
lean population few into Wild chaos.
threatening Immediate destruction to
the entire resident American popula-
tion. The latter concentrated for
safety at a large hotel In the city.
prominently situated and commonly
patronized by Americans. There they
were completely surrounded By nn-
merous Mexican mob. which menaced
them with indignitics and death Of o
manner and with characteristics pc
euliar TO Mexican ideals.
At the moment in question there
ay in the Panuco River basin. op-
posite Tampico. their guns command
ing the streets OF the city. an Amer
lean feet Of nine vessels OF war. an
English squadron and the German
cruiser Dresden There lay also in
the harbor, convenient and available
or use, one or more vessels OF a
commercial character owned by
american oil companies. In the midst
o: the uproar and turmoil ashore the
entire neet OF nine American war
ships raised their anchor and steam
ed ou; 20 sea. 10 miles away. The
roar admiral In command. Il is said.
had received instructions from wash
ington. directing the fleets with
drawal for fear that its presence al
Tampico might agttate the native
population, II is stated that on re-
ceipt OF such instructions the oficer
telesraphed Washington that our
government evidently dA not appre-
ciate conditions Of Tamplco. where.
he said. imminent danger required
the Immediate presenee.of the feet
for the protection Of American citi-
zens; the order for the withdrawal
OF the American feet from Tampico
was reiterated. Ny informant states
that the crews OF the American ships
OF war stood out on the decks and
among the guns OF their ships rs the
vessels slowly drew away. peering at
the shore and toward the scene they
were leaving there. and that tears
were starting In the eyes OF men
there among them not accustomed
10 cry.
The departure OF the American
feet left In the harbor only the Eng
l,sh squadron and the German eruis-
er Dresden. The commander Of the
English squadron communicated
with and gathered into his ships all
British subjects desiring 10 take
refuge. but. it Is said, when applied
TO at the waters edge by American
citizens for permission to go aboard
his ships he refused. and such citi-
zens. including men. women and
children. were turned back. II is
stated that the British squadron.
after embarking British subjects. IT.
self withdrew, leaving alone in the
harbor the German cruiser Dresden.
II seems that under rules or eth
ics. applying among fleets OF war In
foreign ports. the officer OF highest
rank among the several fleets In such
foreign port is conceded precedent;
In q way holds command as regards
whatever situation may exist calling
for interference. 80 long as the
American fleet Jay ia the harbor the
American rear admiral held this po-
sition OF authority; on his withdraw
al the commander OF the British
squadron succeeded 10 the came po-
sition: but on the withdrawal OF the
British squadron the commander Of
the lor.. German cruiser became sole
master 0. the situation.
On the withdrawal Of the Ameri-
can and British vessels the condition
OF riot and disorder intensified. and
the Americans in Tampico. surround
ed by q wild and raging mob OF Mex
leans, momentarily expected death.
Under such conditions Of tension dis
aster is precipitated by the slightest
untoward occurrence. It is stated,