The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-04-24
American Warships Ordered
To Sail To Mexican Ports
American Representatives at
+ West Coast Cities Call for
iiai Protection of Interests.
FRONTERA ALSO APPEALS
Gulf Coast Situation Will Be
| Handled by Sacramento Now
- Stationed at TampicO.
! RTVFs 90

J -
/ Washington, April 23.-Two war
ships from the Pacific fleet are en-
/ route tonight to Mexican waters to
protect American citizens at Mazatlan
and Topolobampo. They were de-
spatched from San Diego on orders
from the navy department after a re-
quest for protection from state de-
partmen representatives at two Mexi-
can Pacific ports.
A similar request came from the
government agent at Frontera on the
Gulf coast but was not acted upon
pending further investigation of the
situation there. The cruiser Saere-
mento is at Tampico, a short dis
tance away.
Sonora state forces in rebellion
against Carranza are known to be
pushing on Mazatlan but it is un-
known whether they have deployed a
detachment agaipst Topolobampo.
At the navy department it was said
276, the warships ordered to Mexico,
were under orders to investigate the
situation.
There are extensive American inter
ests at Mazatlan where the Mexico
California Steamship Company has its
terminal. Word been received at the
offices of the company that both Mex
lean ports are closed.
George 7. Summerlin, American
charge d'affairs at Mexico City, who
has been consulting at the state de-
partment, left tonight for Mexico City.
II is understood his departure was
hastened because of the situation in
Mexico.
In official circles it was said to-
day that General Arnulfo Gomez, for
mer federal commander at Tuxpam,
and General Manuel Palaez, comman-
der OF the rebels in the oil. fields had
Joined forces and were attacking fed
eraI forces at Tuxpam Wednesday and
Thursday. It was also reported the
commander OF the federal forces at
/ Linares had rebelled with the entire
garrison.
Details of the requests of the Amer
I lean agents were not made public.
Advices today said that $50 Mexican
federal troops with two cannons had
arrived at Mazatlan, but there have
been no reports of disturbances there
or at the other two ports.
Other reports received today, how
ever, indicated a growing ferment
which was described as rapidly ap-
preaching an acute stage and it was
said it was clear that communication
with various points in Mexico was
being interfered with. The censor
ship on newspapers in Mexico City is
becoming more apparent and IT was
said the papers yesterday contained
no mention of. any developments in
the situation.
Advices received here today by Cen
eraI Salvador Alvarado, representative
of Sonora, said that Colonel Rodolfo
Gallegos, a former federal commander
in the state of Tamaulipas. defeated
a Carranzista force under General Ro-
ealio Rodriguez and that the federafs
retreated towards Monterey.
1t also was said that Carranza had
ordered a general conference of gov
ernors at Monterey and had asked
the governors. of Coahuila. Neuvo,
Leon. and Tamaulipas to take the mi
k1iative in inviting governors of other
states
San Diego. April 23.-To safeguard
American residents and property in
xSonora and Sinaloa, the United States
cruiser Salem and destroyer McCaw
lev, will sail for Mexican waters early
tomorrow, it was announced today.
Laredo, Tex, April 23.-Rebel forces
who attacked Tuxpam Wednesday
were driven off after repeated as
saults, Mexican Consul Garca an
nounced here today.
New York, April 23.-Bandits have
been burning fruit barges and de-
stroying property generally along the
Nsamaelnta river and at F'rontera, ac-
cording to officials of the Tropical
Fruit Company today.