The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-07-24
AMERICANS HELD UB By MEXI.
CANS.
inquiry is Being Made
Situation May Develop Into Serious
One-Nlen From United
States Warship.

washington, July 19.-The most
serious of the recently growing list
of attacks on Americans in Mexico
came to light today.
A boat load of American sailors
from the Z. S. S. Cheyenne were held
up in the Temesi River on July 6.
within nine miles of the city of Tam
pico and the sailors were robbed. The
American flag was flying from the
boat at the time.
Closely resembling the attacks on
American sailors which led to the oc-
cupation of Vera Cruz in 1914, the
state department did not hesitate to
regard it as a most grave affair and
Immediately dispatched urgent repre-
sentations to the Carranza govern
ment and the local authorities at
Tampico.
Although the sailors were fishing.
they were on official duty, bringing in
food for their ship, and the American
flag flying from the boat denoted that
it was on official business.
Preliminary reports of the attack,
reaching the navy department on July
Z, did not go to the state department
until today when it promptly was
given out. No explanation was made
for the delay. Today Secretary DAN
iels asked for a fuller report.
The incident is regarded as most
serious and charged with possibili-
ties because the Carranza forces are
in full control of the Tampico district,
especially the city and the waters
about it, and because it comes as the
climax to long series of recent at
tacks on Americans, all of which have
been made the subject of increasing
ly urgent representations to the Car
rama government.
Since President Wilson returned
from the peace conference he has
turned his attention great deal to
the Mexican situation. Various re-
ports have been circulating in sources
in touch with Mexican affairs that the
American governments policy had
undergone a change, but there has
been no official announcement.
It is known, however, that the
American troops along the border
have new set of orders which was
evidenced by the prompt manner in
which they crossed into Juarez and
cleaned up the fighting there when
it menaced Ell Paso. The extent to
which the military establishment has
been prepared to meet situation in
Mexico has not been fully disclosed,
but there are evidences that the gov
ernment is taking measures to be
prepared for any eventuality into
which it may be forced.
It was an incident in Tampico in
1914 which brought on the occupa-
tion of Vera Cruz A boat from one
of Admiral Mayo's ships was de-
tained, a paymaster was arrested
and jailed and at other times mes
sengers from the ships were men
aced ashore. General Huerta refus-
ed to apologize and salute the Ameri-
can flag and the occupation of Vera
Cruz followed.
Officials here see in the incident
of July 6 the marking of more seri-
Gus situation.
The department issued this state
ment:
''The department of state has just
been advised that on July 6 a boat
from the U. S. S. Cheyenne occupied
by enlisted men of that vessel who
were on fishing trip, was held up
on the Tamesi River, near Tampico,
by armed men. The sailors were rob-
bed of personal effects.
urgent representations have. been
made by the department of state to
both the local Mexican authorities at
Tampico and to the federal govern
ment at Mexico City, and the au-
thorities there have promised to In
vestigate at once"