The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-03-20
MEXICAN SITUATION GRAVE,
IN CAPITAL UNDER
ZAP.ATA BORDERS ON AN
ARCIIY.
At ManzanillO Natives Cause Foreign
crs to Live i'm Drcad-Carranza Ask
ed to Aid--Prcsident Satisfied That
McManus' Murdcrcrs Will be Pun
ishcd.


gave officials concern today.
Apparently the reoccupation OF the
capital by the Zapata forces has not
brought the expected relief, for
large number of Americans, with 9TH
er foreigners, asked the state depart
ment today through the Brazilian
minister to obtain for them trans
portation to Vera Cruz. Secretary
Bryan announced later that trains had
been requested from both the Villa
Zapata government and the Carranza
authorities.
Urgent representations were made
during the day to Gen. Carranza con-
corning his troops at Manzaniilo,
whose activities have caused foreign
ers much apprehension. The Ameri-
can consul was instructed to keep in
close touch with the commander OF
the cruiser Cleveland. 1t is under
stood the commander has discretion
ary powers to take measures for the
relief of foreigners il an emergency
should develop.
Early in the day President Wilson
viewed official reports as indicating
that Mexico City was in less OF q
ferment than before and that foreign
crs were safer as a result Of the rep.
reservations Of the American govern
ment, but before the end Of the day
the Swedish minister laid before the
state department disquieting dis
patches from the Swedish legation in
Mexico City. Conditions there were
described as "deplorable and CHASTITY"
The dispatches said that the
home Of Gustave Lundholm, a Swed-
ish subject, had been despoiled by
Zapatistas and that another Swede
had been robbed in the street. The
house Of q third Swedish subject was
ent, red and money and weapons de-
manded. The Swedish minister in
formed the state department also that
the government Of Sweden intended
to demand full indemnity for the
murder of John Ecklun, q Swedish
gardener, killed by Obregon's troops
before tie evacuation of Mexico City.
Little has come from the Brazilian
minister at Mexico City to indicate
that the Zapata garrison is not pre-
serving good order
Colville Barclay, counselor of the
British embassy, gave the state de-.
partment q dispatch from British con-
sui at Vera Cruz saying Gen. Carranza
had sent orders for the protection Of
foreigners in the State of Colima, in
which the seaport Of Manzanillo is
situated.
President Wilson expressed himself
as satisfied that those guilty Of the
murder OF John b. McManus, an
American. would be punished and that
q suitable indemnity would be made.
Not only have assurances to this effect
been given by Gen. Palafox, Zapata
lieutenant in charge Of the foreign Of
flee Of the Villa-Zapata government,
but Gen. Villa himself, through Geo.
c. Carothers, American consular
agent. sent word to the state depart
ment today that he would use his in
lluence to SEQ that the Zapatistas ac-
cused of the crime were punished and
that an indemnity was paid.
Secretary Bryan said the Brazilian
minister had been asked to arrange
for shipment of the body of McManus
to the United States and to obtain safe
conduct for the widow and her chill
dren.
Rear Admiral Caperton reported to
the navy department today that both
Merida and Progreso were quiet. The
Mexican gunboat Zaragoza has gone
to Progreso again, but Admiral Caper-
ton said he had been informed thai
Carranza had promised Consul Sill-
man that no further effort would be
made To blockade Progreso.
Enrique G. Llorente, representative
of the Zapata government. gave out
dispatch saying that Gen. Mateo AL
mama and his entire staff had beer.
convicted by courtmartial of treason
and had been executed at Torreon.
Almanac left Mexico City with Gen.
Gutierrez but he is said later to have
Joined Carranza. The Villa agency
also had n telegram from chihuahua
saying the national bank in Mexico
City had resumed business.
The state department gave out
statement saying information had just
been received that Jalisco State au-
thorities had decided to hold up in
definitely the enforcement of the pro-