New-York tribune., 1916-06-23
Gunboat Commanders Re
port of Attack Received
by Navy Department.
CUSTOMS OFFICERS
FIRED ON BOAT CREW
Ensign and Interpreter Seized,
but Later Released-Threat-
ened by Populace.

Washington. June o. Commander
Kavanagh or the gunbost Annapolis, in
a report reaching the Navy Department
to-day on the incident at Mazatan Sun
dav when a boat from the Annapolis
was fired on and two American officers
scized. SAID his men were attacked with
out provocation by Mexican customs Of
fcers and soldiers.
A version Of the affair brought to the
attention Of the State Department Mon
day. with a request that men from
American warships attempt no further
landings at Mexican ports for the Pre- +,
cnt. said the boat crew tried 10 laAd
without permission and that sh''
fired By a drunken Japanese preclpltaS-
cd the trouble.
Commander KavanaCh's report trans
mittod bv Admiral Winslow from San
Diego. told a very different story anu
concluded with the statement thet
Nszatlan was reported wild with eX-
citoment and practically every Mexican
armed. The report follows;
Governor issued manifesto that OF
fccrs we're not TO land and guard was
nIHcoU on QONh. NtlAN A'AtNAN 80
Kessinc TO parley with the MeXicans
and TO ask them to send for the acting
American Consul or for one OF the
Mexican officials so as 10 arrange for
American citizens coming OF to tAe
ship.
No Trouble Expected.
81 sent Paymaster Mowat with the
party as Interpreter, no trouble belhS
anticipated. as MeXicans have not mo-
Tested earlier boats.
az ordered boat officer TO keep clear
Of landing so that his boat could not DC
rushed. and ! forbade him entering ''c
town. the plan being that the boat was
10 lie well clear OF the dock ana lhe Oh
fcers therein 20 confer with party on
shore. BY my orders arms were car
ried concealed in the boat, and boat Of
ficcr had positive orders 10 keep them
hidden. and not TO use them unlecs
fired upon. i'm which case he was 10 re-
turn the fire The boat was a motor
sailing launch, with a crew OF three
men.
brief parlcy, Mowat, Interpreter, M
formed Kessing that MeNlcans sald IL
would be an right for them 70 land.
They did 30. and were Immediately
reized. Kessing ordered boat 10 return
10 shin and report what had happened.
When NeXicans saw boat start Oft they
motioned 10 10 return. CoXSwaln tod
them 10 wait minute, and kept head
ing for ship.
"Whoa boat was about 100 feet clear
from dock Mexican customs official IN
uniform fired his revolver at the boat
bullet striking near II. Five or SIX
shots were Immediately fired at the
boat by Mexican soldiers. Boatswaln's
Mate Laughter, who was senior IN the
boat. then ordered the fire TO be re-
turned. and this was done.
Many Shots Fired at Boat.
"MexicLns fed from the dock and,
taking cover bchiud wall and in dock
warehouse. opened lively fire on boat,
Mexican firing In an about 100 shots.
Laughter was hit twice, once IN the
arm and once through bowels Cox
swain Sheets had skin barked from his
fingers and boat was struck many
times. IN my opinion boats crew act
cd properly in returning fire, as other
wise they probably all would have been
killed.
"When crew began to fire the MeXi-
~a1s fled from the dock in panic, sr"
this gave the boat a chance 70 get
away. American consul came Oft 10 the
shin and reported that General Meta
claimed our people began the tight. and
that one man had been killed and two
or three wounded. ] gave him our YER
sion Of the affair and assured the gen
oral that full satisfaction would be
given if the blame was ours, and also