The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-20

The state department made the fol-
towing statement this afternoon:
The department Of state has
Just been advised that on July 6 a
boat from the United States
Cheyenne and occupied by en-
listed men OF that vessel who
were on hshine trip, was held
Tampico. by armed men. The
sailors were robbed Of personal
effects"
Urgent representations havs
heen made by the departmen emit OF
rtAte 70 both the local Mexican
authorities 1t Tampico and TO
the federal government At Mexico
City and the authorities there
have promised to investigate at
once"
Between fifteen and twenty sailors
ore believed to have been on the
small boat-a combination motor sail
ing launch--which !lew the American
DAG. 1t IL not vet known whether any
shots were fred BY the bandits to
bring the vessel to stop.
Secretary of the Navy Daniels to-
day ordered a complete report Of the
incident from the commander of
American vessels in Mexican waters
The navy department heard of the
aiYront and robbery on July 7, but
the matter was not brought to the at
tention Of Secretary Daniels until to-
day. The first word to the navy came
from commander K. p. Finney of the
II. s. s. Topeka. His message said
a motor sailing launch from the
u. s. s. Cheyenne, with fishing party.
WIS held up by bandits on July s
about nine miles from Tampico. One
ring, one watch and one pair OF shoes
were stolen"
ISSUE SERIOUS ONE.
The meagre property involved does
not affect the issue. whatever. 1t was
Il rid at the department, but the blue
jackets probably were Mt leave at the
/ 1lme and wore fatigue uniforms. The
f0bbery took place on a Sunday after
MON. Lieutenant Commander ]. W.
9choenfeld was In command OF the
Cheyenne, but the motor launch Ii be.
lieved to have carried only enlisted
men.
The gist Of the matter Hes In the
TACT that the American sailors were
helpleas before the bandits,- They
\ ala not carry side arms as this In pro-
u md 1t has been the contention of
SCarranxa authorities right along that
the Tampico district was free OF ban
\ Ats
q ii IL assumed that the fishing party
& vas far outnumbered by the bandits
4 ma that the latter used force in rob-
nin1 the Americans
" This ID the second case within the
ISpast month wherein Americans In the
Lampico district have suffered from
The depredations OF bandits. While
h ehs description and number OF the
Ernen who attacked the American sail
~ Il n vet unknown, the murder OF
1Nhn w. Correll. an American citizen,
E1nst month within twenty miles Of
E4ampico was accomplished by party
| ~ nifty men. many of, whom wore the
Euniforms Of Carranzista soldiers.
~ urgent representations which
we're made in the Correll case
fhnye thus far been fruitless Mrs.
kE6Yrell, the widow. who was attacked
Hnd mistreated by the marauders, and
] ~ ron, Joe, boy Of 16. who was
aten when he attempted to defend
h mother, are now In Washington,
nft1nx for an opportunity to see the
If1ai6ent and the state department
SS rive al information concerning the
E6frihle AFFAIR.
The latest murder Of an Ameri-
- citlxen. that Of Peter Catron. on
duY In Mexico, was reported ia
SKa state department yesterday. Only
fRS barest details were available and
1 farther information was received
&Sdny. Urgent representations have
21ss made IN this ease.
8ES Sax ships In Touch.
a Xnere are about six American men
s@ar In Mexican waters At the pres
&1sae. The u. s. 8. Cheyenne Il
ouftor and the Topeka ID AZ old
-. The other vessels either
IN or cruisers. Since tsi3.