The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-08
AMERICANS ARE
KILLED IN RIOTS |
NEAR TAMPICO
Idle Oil Workers, Enraged, Be.
gin Industrial War.
President ObregOn Orders Order
Restored cat All Costs"
AMERICAN WARSHIP ALARMS
Oil Companies, in lockout,
Will Stand Pat.
More Mexican Troops Arc
Being Hurried to Scene.
AMERICAN WARSHIP ALARMS
Oil Companies, in lockout,
Will Stand Pat.

Mexico City, July s. Several
Americans are reported to have been
killed or wounded in an outbreak OF
violence at Tampico. This is the
first disorder in the Tampico district
since some of the big oil companies
closed down in protest against in
creased petroleum taxes, throwing
thousands of laborers out of work.
The trouble was precipitated on
Thursday night at Camp Zacamiztle,
where a number of discharged la
borers are concentrated. The men
demanded three months pay which,
they claimed, was due them under the
Mexican law and also railway fare to
leave the oil fields.
Tampico Greatly Alarmed. u
Only meager reports have been
received this morning but it was
rumored that a number of men were
killed and some wounded, including
Americans. Mexican troops intervened
and were reported to have restored
| order.
Tampico was said to be greatly
alarmed over the outbreak and It
4 was feared others would follow.
Claude L. Dawson, the American
consul at Tampico, sent message to
{ Mexico City saying trouble had oc-
CURED but did not give details.
OIL Men Stand Pat.
1t is reported from Tampico that
officials of the idle oil companies de-
clare they will remain closed down at
least six months unless the petroleum
export tax (Which was increased July
/ - is reduced.
been at Salina Cruz for a week and it
was pointed out today that their pres
= ence caused no comment, altho the
I arrival of one United States warship
at Tampico has created great alarm
More Troops Sent.
Additional federal troops have been
dispatched to the region OF Tampico
by the Mexican government for tho
announced purpose of giving guaran-
tees to nationals and foreigners.
This action was taken altho the
, forces regularly maintained around
Tampico. where there is a serious sit
uation arising because of unemploy-
ment. are deemed sufficient to deal
with any emergency, said a statement
issued last night by Fernando Torre-
blanca. private secretary to President
Obregon.
Cesar Lopez de Lara, governor OF
the state of Tamaulipas. yesterday
was en- route to Mexico City but 1t was
officially reported he he conferred
by telegraph with President Obregon,
who ordered him Immediately to re-
turn to Tampico to aid in the adjust
ment of the labor situation. So far as
dispatches received here last night
from Tampico indicated, there have
been no untoward incidents in the oil
regions there. Senior Torreblanca's
statement said nothing had been re-
ceived in official circles to cause ap-
prehension, inasmuch "a Mexican
workmen who were thrown out of
work were acting with prudence and
decorum."
The foreign office declined to COM
ment on any phase of the situation
which has arisen thru the arrival of
United States warships at Tampico
and it was learned late last night thar
nothing in the way of communications
had passed between Mexican officials
and the American charge d'affaires
| here relative to the presence of United
States ship in Mexican waters.