The sun., 1919-07-22
Report to Daniels Shows Tam
pico Affair Was Simple
Robbery.
CONGRESS NOT SATISFIED
Feeling Persists That Carranza
Should Be Called to
Account.
sr.cinl ps.pateh to Tnr sux.

cial reports received by the navy De-
partment on the robbery of American
bluejackets near Tampico indicate that
the incident is less serious than sup
pored and has little international sig
nificance.
1t was apparently not question OF
Carranxista bands holding up the Amer
lean sailors and refusing to recognize
the protection OF the Stars and Stripes
flying from the u s. s. Cheyenne's
launch. but merely a case Of robbery.
Comaasnder Earl Peck Finney. U. s.
N commanding the U. s. s. Topeka in
Mexican waters, has sent the following
report to Secretary Daniels:
The motor sailing launch of the
L. S. s. Cheyenne that was involved
in the robbery by Mexicans on JULY
q contained a party of thirteen menl
all of whom were unarmed Three
Mexicans constituted the bandit
party. They held up the men in the
Tamesi River, which at that place is
very narrow. Two OF the Mexicans
were armed with rifles. One OF them
withdrew shortly after they had ar
rived. All OF them were dressed as
civilians The authorities Of the
Mexican Government to whom the
matter was referred expressed deep
regret that the incident should have
occurred and stated that they were
attempting to ascertain the idenaity
of the thieves.
At the present time these attempts
have been entirely fruitless, for none
OF them has been either Identified or
captured. l am personally we'll ac-
uuainted with the Mexican COM
mander and l believe him to be act
ing in good faith.
No Concern Felt.
officials here regard this incident as
q matter which need not give partic-
ular concern SO far as affecting the re-
lations between re two Governments
go. II may be that som" arrauRemcnts
will now be made whereby American
- llors in these waters or on shore leave
will be granted some means of Defend
ing themselves from la'wlessness.
There was an evident relaxation OF
tension in official circles when 1t be-
came known that this incident was not
as serious as first indicated in official
reports. II is admitted that IL no at
tempt had been made to hold back the
..ws, and IL prompt measures had been
tn ken to get details, the excitement fol-
lowing tne iedk Oh the TcpoTuo
would have been avoided.
The fact that this case proves to be
merely a minor matter does not alter
the general unsatisfactory status Of re-
lations between the United States and
the Mexican Government. for the long
list % Mexican outrages eliminating W
the murder Of John w. Correll and the
nialtreatment of his wife has stirred
Congress, and it is expected that in
vestigation of the Administrations Mex
lean policy is now going to increase pub
lie Indignation here. Henry z. Fletcher.
the American Ambassador to- Mexico,
who has been here for several mnoths.
had long list Of callers from the Cap
Ito yesterday.
Latin American diplomats are unle.-
stood to have advised their Govern.
ments that "a distinct service could b.
rendered to Carranza by giving him 3
friendly hint to change his tactics be-
fore American opinion demands action
against him. One OF these diplomats
said that Carranza's stubbornness and
United States will resort to, drastic
measures II necessary are primarily to
blame.
Some Of Carranza's own advisers are
understood to have warned him that he
cannot now adopt an anti-American
policy without great risk to himself.
and that he must furnish protection for
Americans and make redress for the
outrages already committed.
OIL station Robbed.
A despatch to the State Department
to-day from Tampico stated that bandits
had robbed the Atlantic Refining Com
pany's oil loading station at Puerto
TnhA anil Af hA,,
last Wednesday. The funds were in
tended for the company's payroll. In
less the bandits are apprehended this
Government will ask that Caranza take
proper steps to safeguard the interests
OF the company.
The Senate Foreign Relations Com
nittee to-day voted a favorable report
on the resolution of Senator King
(Utah) asking the Department Of State
to furnish the Senate with information
as to what measures the Administration
thus far has undertaken looking to the
adjustment of claims against the Gov
eminent of Mexico arising out OF the
murders of American citizens and the
destruction of American property In
CarranEa's domain.
That the State Department will make
haste to report the course of action
which the Administration has pursued
at an early date is doubted by the SEN
ate leaders II was remarked to-day by
Senator Fall IN. M, that out OF sixty
resolutions adopted by Congress within
the last two years ffty-nine remain
without replies from the Department
OF State.
Senator Fall to-day discussed in sha. n
terms the present policy toward Mexico
He asserted that during the last few
months the Seventh United States Cav
airy had crossed the Mexican border
seven or eight times In pursuit OF raid
ers and had recaptured and returned to
the American side large amounts OF
stolen property. He also said that the
troopers had KILLED Carranzista officers
and men both on this and the Mexican
sidcs OF the border. and IN support OF
telegram giving the list of names OF the
slain.
Then Senator Fall went on to say that
officers equipment found abandoned or
the American side after some OF the raids
was shown to be that OF officers in Car.
rama forces He said that he pointed
this out to show that the reports tina,
only Villistas were raiding on American
soil was the result of absolutely unfaii
reports of the happenings sent out by the
Associated Press"
Mr.. Fall also directed the Senate's at.
tention to statements denying certain Of
Erwin, commanding the American force.
at Ei Paso. On this point Senator Fal
said:
EFF an investigation does not prove
the truth of what / say then somebody
must be concentrated, and / want e
say further II such an investigation II
carried or any investigation whatsoever