New Britain herald., 1915-03-26
AMERICAN FLAG TORN
 DOWN BY Mfx|cANs
Brazilian Minister Informs Secretary
 Bryan Of Incident.

Washington, March 26.---How the American flag which was flying over the home of John B. McManus, a citizen of the United States, in Mexico City, was "torn and dragged half way down the pole' by Zapata soldiers when they murdered McManus and footed his house two weeks ago is told in despatches from the Brazilian minister made public yesterday by Secretary Bryan.
 This incident was reported at the time when the death of McManus was Icing investigated, but there had been no announcement of it until today. Secretary Bryan said reparation for the insult to the flag had been asked fer from the Zapata auth critics, but that so far no reply had come. In answer to inquiries he said there had been no demand for a sarute to the flag. as in the Tampico affair.
 t Expression of Regret.
 An expression of regret for the killing of McManus already has been received from General Palafox, the Zapata commander, with d promise of indemnity for the family and punish ment for the slayers, if apprehended
 MT. Bryan explained that the Bra zl;lan minister, in reporting Mo Manus' death March Il, mentioned the tact that the American flag was flying over the house. The next day he sent a further report, referring to "the dissertation of the flag"
 An inquiry from the department as to what this meant brought an ex- planation on March 16 that an Ameri can committee which investigated the occurrence reported to him that "tol- lowing fusillaiing which preceded the general entry of the Zapatists into the house, the flag was badly torn by the Iapatists and dragged half way down the pole"
 The same committee. the minister reported, had submitted to him a photograph of the house and flag.
 In this connection, it became known yesterday that several foreign flags had been violated recently at Man zani11o, among them the American flag over the house of an American ianchman. When the matter was called to the attention of General Carranza, he denied the truth of the reports of American and British consuls.
 Battleship Ordered to Proereso.
 Rear Admiral Caperton command ing the American fleet in Mexican waters, yesterday ordered the battle ship Georgia from Vera Cruz to Pro- greso, where there have been local troubles His despatch reporting the of the Georgia said the port 1 or Progreso was still open.
 The Georgia will join the cruiser Des Moines, now at Progreso guarding foreign interests and seeing that the port is kept open to commerce. Their presence is expected to aid in the maintenance of quiet in Yucatan, where the sisal hemp growers are trying to get out their crop needed by American twine manufacturers.
 Conditions More Favorable.
 Secretary Bryan said yesterday con- ditions had grown more favorable in Yucatan and that there were assuring indications that arrangements soon would be completed for shipment from Progreso and Merida of 10000 bales of sisal already contracted for from the Yucatan government by American interests. Details of the plan, the secretary said, were being concluded in cooperation with the twine manu- fs cturers.
 Rear Admiral Caperton reported to the navy department that the Alxa- rado government, Carranza's faction in Yucatan, had taken over the Yuca- tan railroad.