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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 1913)
THE MORNING OREGONIAN, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 191b. FEDERALS WITHER REBEL HEADQUARTERS AND PROMINENT FIGURES IK MEXICAN SITUATION. REPLY FROM TAFT UNDER REBEL FIRE PLEASES MADERO BAKING Canadian Resident Says Tha Fighting Continues at Mexico Marksmanship Causes Havoc With Madero. City and Federals Fail to Dislodge Rebels. makes AMMUNITION SUPPLY BIG ACTION LESS AGGRESSIVE IDelieIii J. B. Gibson, of Vancouver, B. O. Asserts That Revolutionists Hare 30,000,000 Cartridges and 60 Cannon In Arsenal. Huerta Announces to Begin Flank ft Dt TV a OI 4S1SCU11 Movement Soon, "Using Bombs at Short Range Blanquet .,1s Loyal to Government. 6 MdDYAL SAN ANTONIO. Tex. Feb. 17. A story of the wounding' of Herman O. 'Weiss, a civil engineer of New York and Washington, in the lighting Mexico City was told by J. B. Gibson, of Vancouver, B. C who arrived here today from Mexico City. Mr. Olbson aid that Weiss, with Sidney Suther land, a newspaper man. who also was wounded about the same time. L. F. Hamer and another American whom Mr. Gibson did not know were viewing Tuesday's battle from the roof of a hotel. Weiss was struck by a bullet at the knee, the ball coming out at the hip but not touching the bone. "At the time I left Mexico City. Thursday night. Diaz not only was strongly intrenched in the arsenal and the Y. M. C. A. building." said Mr. Gib son, "but had men stationed on all the tall buildings in the neighborhood. It was said that about 30.000.000 rounds of cartridges were stored in the arsenal, with 60 cannon and a number of ma chine guns. The accuracy of his fire was remarkable. He has some of the best artillerymen in the Mexican army and they are well equipped with range finders. "I saw a force of about 100 rurales charge a rebel position Tuesday morn. Ing, and when Dlax turned his machine guns and cannon on them it was sick ening. A few may have escaped, but the greater number were struck several times. I was informed Tuesday by a foreign diplomat that Madero'a loss was more than 1000 killed and wounded. "While there is no police protection. there Is very little disorder among the lower element. Mr. Gibson said foreigners were much concerned by reports that the Cnlted states might intervene. Such a renort. he aaid. was circulated by a newspaper correspondent and caused much feel lng. "I am a British subject, but all for eignera who speak English are looked upon with suspicion, and should an anti-American outbreak have occurred I would not have considered my life wortn a cent, said Gibson. T. K. HAS JTEWSPAPER POLICY Colonel Advocates Co-operation Be tween Press and Military. WASHINGTON. Fh IT A 1... from Colonel Roosevelt favoring a poucy oi co-operation between the military and naval authorities aiwt ik. press was read in an address before the navai war college extension today by J. Callan CLaughlln on "The Relation or the Navy and the Press Before and Iurln War." Colonel Roosevelt took me view mat newspaper correspondents at the front not only could perform a large publlo service, but that by proper co-operation between them and the military and naval commanders the service would be to the advantage of the military establishment as well. Mr. CLaughlln read other letters from editors and war correspondents on the advantage of such co-operation. He suggested that the present Mexican situation afforded an opportune time for a conference between military and naval men and editors from various parts of the country to determine on a general policy of co-operation during periods of military activity. ' t1'- THIRD CAVAXiRT IX READIXESS Kmpty Transports Sent to Galveston, "Where Troops Are Ordered. SAN ANTONIO. Tex.. Feb. 17. The Third Cavalry at Fort Sam Houston was ordered from Washington today to hold itself in readiness to entrain for Galveston, prepared for foreign serv ice. WASHINGTON, Feb. 17. Two Army transports at Newport News were ordered tonight by the War Department to proceed empty to Galveston, Tex., immediately. The order was given, it is understood, so that the transports might be ready In case of serious de velopments to convoy troops from the border to Vera Crux. Orders to the Third Cavalry are part of the general plan of the Army gen eral staff to have troops In readiness for immediate movement. The Third Cavalry is a portion of the newly or-i ganised First Cavalry Brigade at Fort Sam Houston. The Second and Four teenth Cavalry also are attached to this brigade. The entire regiment of the Second is at Fort Bliss, Tex, and the Fourteenth Is distributed between Forts Clark and Mcintosh. Texas, and Marfa, Tex, doing border patrol duty. BATTLESHIPS QUICKLY MAVNED Connecticut Taken From Drydock and Made Ready for Service. NEW YORK. Feb. 17. The battle ship Connecticut, which has been in drydock at the New York Navy-Yard was floated, provisioned and manned in eight hours today and was ready to night to sail for Guantanamo, Cubs, at :30 tomorrow morning. The Connecticut was in drydock for her annual overhauling and would not have been placed in commission again for a month had not the rush orders been received. - . ARMY ENGINEERS PREPARING Signal Corps and Field Ambulance Company Await Orders. LEAVENWORTH. Kan., "Feb. IT. Orders from the War Department were received today at Fort Leavenworth directing Company E, corps of en gineers. Company D. signal corps, and field ambulance company No. 2 to pre pare for active service. These com panies were being held in quarters to night awaiting orders to leave. It was reported that they would be sent from here to Galveston. Marines Equipped for Tropics. CHARLESTON. S. C, Feb. 17. In accordance with orders received at the Charleston Navy-yard at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon. 100 marines sailed on the transport Prairie for Norfolk at 6 o'clock this afternoon. The orders re quired that the men should embark prepared for foreign tropical shores. Captain R. F. Ramsay is in charge. ABOTR, BARRACKS HELD BY DIAZ' TROOPS. AT RIGHT, AMBASS1JO-. PRESIDENT MADERO. WHOSE GREATEST PEAR IS AMERICAN IX TE OP AMERICAN AMBASSADOR. HENRY LANE WILSON. BELOW, RVENTION.AND MRS. WILSON. WIFE REBEL LOSSES LOW General Mondragon Says Fed erals Can't Shoot Straight. ARSENAL SUFFERS LITTLE Commissary Well Stocked and Money Is Said to Have Been Sent to Dias From America Many Desert Madero's Ranks. MEXICO CITY. Feb. 18. (By Courier to Vera Cms. Feb. 17.) General Mon dragon. in charge of the military op erations for General Diaz, was confident on Sunday morning of the success of the revolutionary movement. He was seen at the arsenal and had no hesitancy in conducting the Associated Press correspondent about the place. The -arsenal appeared to have suf fered little from the federal guns. Two shells had penetrated the southern wing of the building, causing some destruc tion within, but it was said and re ports from the commanders appeared to" bear out the assertion that the num ber of dead and Injured within the fortress was less than 100 all told. The commissary department was well stocked with provisions and the pay master's department was shown to be provided with funds. The men are re ceiving two pesos per day and are said to be contented and in good spirits. General Mondragon gave the infor mation that General Diaa had received offers of money in substantial quanti ties from persons in the tinited States. Forty men of General tsianquers division, now stationed at the arsenal, joined Dias Saturday night. Some of their officers accompaniea mem ma n was asserted that desertions from the Federal lines entered the rebel posi tions every day. General Mondragrm anriouxeo tne few casualties In the rebel ranks to the poor aim of the government artil lerymen. Most of the iecerai sneus, ne saio. nassed hlsrh over his position, often falling into the federal ranks beyond. MARINES ORDERED TO GULF fContlnued From rlrat Page.) tlon to struggle with the real problem. Night sessions of the cabinet to con sider late developments from Mexico probably will not be held in the future. Several of the President's cabinet sug gested to him today that these meet ings might be misunderstood through out the United States and in Mexico that the publlo was being miBied ana and that their significance might be magnified. Niche Meetlaga Cans Ramors. The Cabinet officers felt that tne frequent reports of these late meet ings, which apparently brought little tangible action, might lead to suspicion that the "lid" had been clamped down; that back of them many secret orders were being framed and Issued from the State, War and Navy departments. Further precautionary measures have been taken to safeguard the lives and property of Americans in Mexico, so far as could be done without actual ly dispatching a military force to the country. This problem has gTeatly been complicated by the act of the Madero government, possibly without the actual direction of President Ma dero. in sending broadcast through Mexico news that armed intervention by America was about to occur, in the hope of Inducing malcontents to drop their temporary quarrel with the gov ernment and respond to the patriotic call to repel foreign invasion. False Reports Doled. It was for this reason that the State Department was obliged late today to cable and telegraph directly to all of the American consular officers who could be reached an uneauivocal denial of any intention on the part of the United States send troops into Mex ico or of any change in policy on the part of this government. It was felt that the safety of Americans scattered throughout Mexico was Jeopardized by these false reports. While Mr. Taft's message to Presi dent Madero referred to the reports that orders bad been given to land forces in Mexico as "inaccurate. it was noticeable that no pledge was held out as to the future, nor was there any engagement that tha ordinary prepara tory measures now In progress would be discontinued. Amy Posts Q,detly Prepare. In addition to ordering marines to Guantanamo, word has been passed quietly to military commanders of the interior posts to make ready for eventualities. It was indicated, however, that this only was an ordinary and proper means of precaution. In fact, as was stated today by a Cabinet officer, the Admin istration is most anxious to prevent the spread of the idea in Mexico that the United States is contemplating the dis patch of an army of invasion to that country. Should that idea become current it might precipitate the very trouble which it ,1s desired to avoid and endanger every American life In Mexico. Reply to Madero Published. President Taft's reply to Madero's appeal to withhold American interven tion In Mexico, sent by telegraph, was made public by Secretary Knox today as follows: "From your excellency's telegram which reached me the 14th, it appears that your excellency was somewhat misinformed as to the policy of the United States toward Mexico, which has been uniform for two years, or as to the naval or other measures thus far taken, which are measures of natural precaution. The Ambassador telegraphed that when you were good enough to show him your telegram to me, he pointed out this fact. "Your excellency must, therefore, be aware that the reports which appear to have reached you that orders have already been given to land forces were inaccurate. The Ambassador, who is fully informed, is, nevertheless, again instructed to afford you any desirable information, , Fresh assurances of friendship to Mexico are unnecessary after two years of proof of patience and good will. Import of Peace Shewn. "In view of the special friendship and relations between the two coun tries. I cannot too strongly impress on your excellency the vital importance of the early establishment of that peace and order which this Government has long hoped to see, both because Amer ican citizens and their properly must be protected and respected, and also be cause this Nation sympathizes deeply with the afflictions of the Mexican peo ple. "In reciprocating tne anxiety anown by your excellency's message, 1 feel it my duty to add sincerely ana wjtnout reserve that the course of events dur ing the past two years culminating in the present most dangerous situation creates In this country extreme pessi mism and the conviction that the pres ent paramount duty is the prompt re lief of the situation. "WILLIAM H. TAUT. Battleship Leads Security. Although Consul Miller, at Tamptco, reported conditions there apparently tranquil, he added that Americans and other foreigners believed the battleship Virginia would be a guaranty against attack on the foreign colony. Colonel Trevlno, at the head of 100 rebels and 90 revolting federals, de manded the surrender of Victoria, the capital of Tamaullpas. Governor Guer rera. at the head of S00 federals, de fended the town successfully and his rebellious troops returned to him. - A Treasury Department telegram from Brownsville. Tex., gives the de tails of the peaceable revolt last night of the military and civil authorities of the border town of Matamoras. The rebels ousted the Mayor and collector of customs and have charge of the city. Tralm Servlee Demoralised. A postoffice telegram tells of the discontinuance of train service on the Mexican National Railroad south of Laredo, Tex. Consul Bonney, at San Luis Potosi, reports that American vol unteers carried all Americans in Char- cas to safety. He says refugees are pouring In from the countryside and that rebel bands are operating In nearly all the towns to the north. Rebels are reported in the neighbor hood of Bafouacui, near Cananea, but Consul Simpich reports from Nogales, Mexico, that the eastern part of his district and the City of Cananea are quiet. With rail and telegraphic com munication maintained north and south of Chihuahua"; the situation in that city is reported by Consul Letcher as quiet SI AT IS GRAVE Ambassador Wilson Says Line of Fire Is Unlimited. CRIMINAL CLASSES ACTIVE Telegram to General Otis Tells of Americans' Work In Rescue, Med ical Attendance, Postoffice, Bank, Commissary, Etc LOS ANGELES, Cal, Feb. 17. (Spe cial.) Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson at Mexico City, replying to a telegram sent by General Otis, publisner of the Los Angeles Times, asking for infor mation as to the fate of the Times cor respondent. Fitzgerald Slocum. and also requesting a statement as to the a6tual conditions now prevailing in the Mexican capital, has sent the following statement: "Mexico City, via Galveston Harri son Gray Otis, Los Angeles: Personally, I have not yet been able to get any trace of Slocum. but will make dili gent effort tomorrow. The situation is very grave for all foreigners. There is practically no protection from the criminal classes and there are no limi tations on the line of fire. We have practlally, perfect American organiza tions covering rescue, medical atten dance, postoffice and telegraph, bank, J and housing. We have 10 automobiles in 'our service and the Americans are doing a noble work. All of these ar rangements center in the American Em- j bassy and are under our supervision.! "HENRY LANE WILSON, "United States Ambassador." Later it was learned that Mr. Slocum had been confined In a hospital suffer ing with heart trouble brought on by concussion of the heavy firing during the bombardment. His condition is now convalescent. MEXICO CITY. Feb. 17. President Madero received today the reply from President Taft to his telegram protest ing against intervention. President Taft assured him that the reports that it was the Intention of the Cnlted States Government to land forces in Mexico were inaccurate. "I never expeoted anything else than this," commented Madero on reading President Taft's message. I regard it as satisfactory and friendly." Flshtlna Is Continued. The fighting continued throughout today but the feoeral guns were in effective in dislodging the rebels. Fur thermore, the federals did not show the same aggressiveness which charao terlsed their action in the early days of the battle. This is believed to be due to the fact that they realise that for the present the government forces are not of sufficient strength to de feat the rebels. General Huerta announced, however. that he expected soon to begin a flank lng movement, in which bombs would be used at short range. General Blanquet 1b loyal to the gov ernment and will be placed in command of the reserves at the National Palace. Madero appeared sanguine yesterday and today of the ultimate success of the federal army. He declared he was optimistic regarding the outlook and that support of all kinds had been of fered him. In his opinion Zapata, the guerrilla leader, was not a supporter of Dias in tho present movement. Non-Combataats Flee. Nearly all the non-combatants have moved out of the real danger zone. Bread and cornmeal are abundant in the capital and are being distributed among the poor. The Madero government has planted dynamite near the citadel and moved cannon during the armistice. The Amer ican Embassy water supply was cut off throughout yesterday. Diaz has an ample supply, but the government is short. The Belgian Legation has been partly destroyed. Desertions from the government side to the rebels are go ing on. Rifle Fire Dwindles. The engagement today was very se vere almost till noon, "but the firing then dwindled and developed into an exchange of volleys of rifle bullets. The rebels tried to pick off the federal artillerymen as they were serving the guns. The United States Embassy and the district surrounding it, in which there are many American residents, was not touched by any projectiles after the removal of the federal battery, which had heretofore drawn the fire of the rebel gunners at the arsenal. Many American residents, with their nerves shaken by the almost constant explosion of shrapnel during the last week, departed yesterday and today in the direction of Vera Cruz. The dan ger zone was practically deserted to day except by soldiers. - About noon he rebel gunners at the arsenal poured a shower of shrapnel across the city toward the National Palace, but did little damage. The most appetizing, healthful and nutritious of foods. Hot biscuit made with impure and adulterated baking powder are neither appetizing nor whole- some. It all depends upon the baking' powder. Take every care to have your biscuit made with Royal Baking Powder, the only baking powder made from Royal Grape Cream of Tartar, which is chemically pure, if you would avoid indigestion. The very best receipts for hot biscuits and griddle cakes will be found in the ROYAL COOK BOOK 500 RECEIPTS FREE Send Address ROYAL BAKING POWDER CO., NEW YORK. DEPARTURE TO BE HURRIED 1000 Marines, Many Being Sharp shooters, to Leave on First Boat. PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 17. Members of the Marine Corps stationed at the Philadelphia Navy-yard are in readi ness to embark for Guantanamo, Cuba, upon the arrival of the United States transport Meade, which is expected here early tomorrow. Arms, ammuni tion and other supplies were prepared today for a hurried departure. The force of 800 men here will be augmented by detachments from Ports mouth, Boston and Brooklyn. Colonel George Harnett win command tne ten companies, comprising about 1000 men. which will sail from this port. WANT EVERY AVAILABLE MAX Charleston Navy-Tard Ordered to Dispatch All Marines. BOSTON, Feb. 17. Earlier orders today to Captain Coffman. of the Charlestown Navy-Yard, to send 160 marines to Philadelphia were followed tonight by further instructions to dis patch every available marine in the vicinity. One detachment of 188 men entrained at 6:30 P. M. for Philadelphia on spe cial cars under command of Captain W. E. Parker. Nearly all the men were veterans, many of them having been under fire recently in Nicaragua. Another detachment of 140 men. drawn from the Charlestown yard, and the battleships Rhode Island and New Jersey, were in readiness to depart at midnight for Norfolk. All were equipped for field service. One hundred and twenty-rive ma rines from Portsmouth, N. IL. left Bos ton tonight for Norfolk. TRUCE BROKEN BY FEDERALS Operations Resumed When Rebels Are Caught Advancing. MEXICO CITY. Feb. 17. It was the federal forces that precipitated hos tilities which broke the armistice on Sunday. Operations were resumed without warning: when the rebels fired upon the federals who were seeking to advance their lines upon the west side nf thA Arsenal. The movement was onserveo Dy tne outnosts ana tne worn was pawcu m dantain Delsrado. commander of the rebel west vug. .tie at once sao ders to check the advance. The firing in this section quickly provoKea a re turn fire from the federal position and within ten minutes the big guns of both forces were in action as flrecely as at any period of the battle. Immense water mains lying ready for installation were said to have bon used as a tunnel by the government soldiers to approach the enemy's lines. Tho American Ambassador and other fo-eign diplomatic representatives had received assurances earlier in the day that the armistice would be extended to 8 o'clock Monday night, as the re treat of the foreigners from the lines of Ore had not been completed. An accurate approximation of the number of dead and wounded in the eight days' fighting is Impossible. Gov ernment army officers admit 350 killed and 400 seriously wounded on the fed eral side. The Dias adherents ac knowledge losses of 80 Kiuea ana mv wounded. The ambulances of the Red Cross RnriKtv have ceased attempting o re move the dead and are devotlrx their entire attention to tne wpunaeo. ine dead are being gathered in the city's street-cleaning department wagons and burned. From various sources It Is estimated that because of the promiscuous firing of cannon there has been a great loss of life among non-combatants. General Mondragon said that peace was earnestly desired by General Diaz, but only on condition that Ma dero, Jose Pino Suarez, the Vice-President and the entire Cabinet relinquish their posts. General Rafael Davilla, who was In command of the arsenal when he fell Into the hands of Diaz a week ago, and Major Lopez Flgueroa, Chief of Police of the capital, who was taken prisoner later, still are held by General Diaz. It was reported that both bad been ex ecuted. Additional Marines Called. NORFOLK, Va, Feb. 17. Following the departure late today of one com pany of marines under command of Lieutenant Case for Philadelphia, where it will become a part of the mobilization of 2000 men of the Ma rine Corps to take part in the Mexican movement, orders for three more com panies or 200 men to prepare for aotivo service were received tonight There are nearly 1000 marines quartered here. In Franca during the last SO years th births have been exceeded by the deaths tx times. Y7 According to ancient belief, in behalf of Spring, preceded the Sun across the Equator and gave battle to "Winter. The coming of Spring awakens new life and desire for action, for travel, in the hearts of men. The Natural Trend of Humanity is "Westward. To accommodate the vast horde who, in obeyance to the impulse, start "West from March 15 to April 15, the O.-W: R. & N. will have in effect LOW WESTBOUND COLONIST FARES from the principal cities in the East to all points on its line in Oregon, Wash- ington ana laano. Perhaps you have a friend or relative whom yon want to bring West T By availing; your self of our plan of PREPAID ORDERS yon can save them much bother. Merely deposit amount of ticket at this end, and oar representative back East will de liver the ticket at any address, check baggage and see your friend on the right train, without additional cost to you. Let us quote you the low fare and assist you in bringing them out. 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