Gift)' ' ' ft .
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1
9UD0 a Year, In Advance.' "FOR GOD, FOR COUNTRY AND FOR TRUTH." - m
, . , siagie copy, 5 CtOTt.
VOL. XXIV. PLYMOUTH, N. C, FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1914. " ' NO. 44.
THE if E OF PEACE
S BUSY l!l 110
COVERING WAR CLOUDS MAY
V PASS FROM NATIONS SKIES
IN NEAR FUTURE.
POSSIBLE MEDIATION SOON
Tenseness Over Mexican Trouble it
Alleviated by Late Developments .
'of Peacemakers.'
Washington. The tenseness of the
Mexican situation was distinctly re
leved when the representatives of Ar
centine, Brazil and Chile, supported
or pressure from all Latin-America
Bind from foremost powers of Europe
concentrated their efforts toward a
pacific adjustment of the crisis.
The success of the first steps to
ward meditation the prompt accep
tance by the United States and the
announcement of the Epnaish ambas
sador that Huerta had accepted the
tender, of good offices' produced a
feeling f distinct hope which was re
flected not only in administration
Quarters, but in Congress where "war
talk" gave way to a spirit of concili
ation. .
Throughout the day the three
South American envoys who have,
undertaken the task of mediation held
frequent conferences to arrange
the preliminaries of procedure. Pend
ing the receipts of the formal accep
tance by General Huerta, no proposals
will be submitted to either the United
States or the Huerta government. It
'.also 'has been made plain that no
condWjbns from either party as to
the terms that will be acceptable as
yet has been placed formally before
th Intermediaries.
The president and Secretary Bryan
were assured through two separate
diplomatic sources that Huerta was
ready to accept the tender of good of
fices and was drafting a formal ac
ceptance. Pressure from Germany,
Great Britain an France advising
Huerta to accept the first steps to
ward mediation and the 'approving at
titude of Latin-American countries to
the "Settlement of the controversy by
Pan-American diplomacy, emphasized
the world-wide Influences which are
working to bring about peace.
Secretary Daniels announced he
had telegraphed the full text of the
mediation offer and its acceptance by
the United States to both Rear Admi
rals Badger and Howard, with in-
structions to have the commanders of
all ships on the East and West coasts
spread the news throughout Mexico.
By this Mr. Daniels hopes the feeling
toward Americans may be alleviated
'and refugees enabled to depart with
'out molestation.
iTHE FLAG WAVES AT VERA CRUZ
With Firing of Salute Stars and
Stripes Was Formally Raised.
Vera Cruz. With all ceremony the
firing of a salute . and dress parade,
the American flag was raised over the
division headquarters of Rear Admi
ral Frank F. Fletcher. Over the cus
toms house the flag 'ad been flying
since the landing of the American
forces'but until now there had been
no ceremony indicating the formal oc
cupation of Vera Cruz.
The transports with Brigadier Gen
eral Funston's command aboard were
off the port, but there has been no in
dication that the military forces will
be sent ashore at this itme. If the
army lands, the bluejackets now on
duty here will go aboard their ships,
but the marines -will be left for land
service.
Five Americans, who arrived by
train from Mexico City, virtually were
xpelled by General Huerta. They
Aad been arrested at Pachuca for no
known cause. They are Dr. Hoskins,
R. Chattion, J. Punstion, G. G. Smith
and Mr. Maddox. Dr. Hoskins was
subjected to rougher treatment than
the ethers because in his pockets
were found papers indicating that he
had once served as surgeon in the
United States army of volunteers.
These men were sent to the capital
from Pachuca and Huerta ordered
them to leave the country.
Huerta Takes Railways.
Washington. With the exception of
the Pan-American Railway extending
from Guatemala up the west coast to
connection with a Tehauntepec road,
General Heurta now is operating with
his own men every railroad in Mex
ico without regard to the rights of
foreign owners. He has driven away
" evry foreigner. The last road to be
taken over was the Tehauntepec Na
f tioaal connecting the Pacific and At
lantic ports of Salina Cruz Coatza
coalcos. This property is owned
by government and Lord Cowdray.
MAP OF MEXICO SHOWING PORTS BLOCKADED BY U. S. NAVY
LAREDO IN RUINS
FIRED BY FEDERALS
HUERTA SOLDIERS DEVASTATE
MEXICAN CITY WITH DYNA
MITE AND FLAMES.
FIRE ON THE U. S. SOLDIERS
American Soldiers Defend Interna
tional Bridge Killing Two Mexican
Soldiers.
Laredo, Texas. Nuevo Laredo, the
Mexican border town opposite here
is in ruins, devastated by dynamite
and fire set by Mexican Federal sol
diers, who began an orgy or destruc
tion which did not end until they
were forced to flee southward before
the guns of, the American border
patrol.
Two Mexicans are known to have
been killed by the United States
troops and several were seen to fall.
Several brisk skirmashes between the
Americans and Mexicans were fought
in quick succession as the Mexicans,
their troop trains ready ttt pull out
of the burning city, began an indis
criminate fire across the international
boundary,' but there is no evidence
that their shooting had been effective.
h Property damage in Nuevo Laredo
will reach $500,000. Among the build
ings destroyed were the United States
Consulate, municipal buildings, post
office, theatre, the flour mill, one of
the largest in this section of the
southwest, the railroad shops of the
Mexican National Railway and other
smaller structures. ,
The fire burned all night with no
prospect that it would be controlled
until everything inflammable had
been destroyed. Kerosene and other
combustibles liberally used added to
the wreckage, which otherwise would
not have been great, owing to the
adobe construction of most buildings.
-There was no property loss in
Laredo. Both international bridges
are safe though efforts to dynamife
them resulted in the death of two
men engaged in the undertaking.
One Mexican was shot by a sharp
shooter from the top of the water
tower. The .Mexican was trying to
reach the end of the international
foot and wagon bridge. Another was
killed when he tried to blow up the
Mexican end of the International
Railroad bridge. Amsriuan soldiers
are constantly stationed at the Araer
canend to prevent such an attempt.
At the two bridges across the river
the guard3 were reinforced and it
was here that the only known loss
of life occurred.
' Battery A of the Third Field Artil
lery was sent to the power house of
the Laredo Electric Company, leasing
an attack there, but it was soon seen
that there was nothing for them to
do. " .
Several Mexicans were seen to fall
before the fire from the machine
guns, but they were carried away by
their comrades. The trains vi?re
started and the Federate withdifw
firing as long as they could. For some
distance the railroad follows the in
ternational line.
i i
cskv . 1 Q
'-h i v v
h VP?- V tL
U. S. TROOPS HELP
IVY AT VERA CRUZ
EMBARGO ON ARMS S FORMALLY
RESTORED WHILE SOLDER3
MARCH TO BORDER.
BRAZIL CALLED FOR CONSUL
South American Consulates Chosen
to Look After American Interest
in Mexico.
Washington. United States troops
moved to reenforce the American
Navy at Vera Cruz, the embargo on
arms into Mexico was formally re
stored, and troops were ordered to
the Mexican border primarily to re
lieve uneasiness among border rosi
dents, but also as a precaution against
hostile military operations along the
international line. Secretary Garri
son anpunced that a brigade cf in
fantry and some artillery under Brig
Gen. Frederick Funston had been or
dered to embark on the four Army
transports at Galveston for Vera Cruz
to support the expeditionary forces
of marines and bluejackets there.
The chance that General Maas.the
Federal general, mighi make a return
attack on Vera Cruz with reinforce'
ments and the possible 'necessity of a
forward movement toward Mexico
City to protect fleeing Americans and
the Vera Cruz Railroad were the un
derlying reasons for the military
movement. '
The restoration of the embargo on
arms was officially announced afterN
the pronouncement of General Car
ranza, the Constitutionalist ,cheif,;that
he regarded the seizure, of Vera . Cruz
as a violation of Mexican : sovrighty,
had been considered by the Adminis
tration. While Mexican Constitution
alists here protested that Carcanz&'s
real attitude was friendly, the 'Ameri
can Government decided to. take no
chances and ... abruptly stopped the
shipment of all arms into: Mexico.
President Wilson earlier iri the; day
issued a statement warning .General
Carranza, the Constitutionalist chief,
that the United States was dealing:
now and would continue to deal with
those whom Huerta commands "and
those who come to his support."
Both Nelsofl O'Shaughnessy, the
American Charge d'Aff airs,, and Sehor
Algara, the Charge d'Affairs of.' the
Mexican Embassy, have been given
their passports. This is not regard
ed by the Washington Government as
presaging .war, but a declaration of
war by , Huerta would not be unex
pected. The United States has chosen
Brazil to look after its Interests in
Mex'co. Where there are no Brazi
lian Consuls, French Consuls will act
for the United States.
Three Regiments to Border.
Washington.: Three regiments of
infantry at San-Francisco and the ar
tillery at Fort Riley, Kan., were or
dered to report to Brig. Gen. Bliss for
service along the Mexican border; . A
brigade of infantry and some artillery
will be dispatched from Galveston to
Vera Cruz to co-operate with the
navy there.
CARRANZA SENDS
KOTETD PRESIDENT
CONSTITUTIONALIST GENERAL'3
ATTITUDE CAUSES A HUR
RIED CONFERENCE. -
ASKS U. S. TO WITHDRAW
Wants Americans to Get Out of Vera
Cruz and Leave Whole Situation
to Him.
Washington. General Carranza's
note to President Wilson, declaring
the seizure of Vera Cruz by American
forces a violation of the National sov
ereignty of Mexico, inviting the Unit
ed States to suspend hostile opera
tions and withdraw its forces and
suggesting that the Constitutional
Government should . receive demands
for reparation of offenses committed
by Huerta, stirred the Mexican situ
ation to a new and acute crisis.
Opposition to the American Gov
ernment's action, coming from an
unexpected quarter, after the Wash
ington Administration had hoped for
an attitude of neutrality from the
Constitutionalists, brought the Gov
ernment face to face with possible
hostility from the great body .of
Mexican forces lying in proximity to
rthe Southern border of the United
States.
Rumor of a possible restoration of
t the embargo on arms, current during
the day, were revived and it was the
subject of the" War Department con
ference Precautions against upris
ings on the border as a possible result
of Carranza's opposition to the Amer
ican Government's course also were
believed to be under consideration.
The joint Army and -Navy Boacd it
recommended the restoration of the
embargo. '
" While Mexican Constitutionalist
representatives here professed to see
a tone of friendliness in Carranza's
note, its blunt request for the with
drawal of-the American forces from
Vera Cruz and its virtual demand for
recognition of the rebels are repre
senting the constitutional government
of Mexico injected phases which made
Administration officials manifestly
uneasy.
Plans thus far made by the Army
and Navy Board to obtain reprisals
from Huerta had contemplated no
move along the American border.
Should hostility develop among the
Constitutionalists, plans of the Army
wHl be changed immediately.
The knowledge that Carranza, while
refusing to make common cause with
Huerta, might be disposed of his own
init'ative to resent the acts of the
American Government, made the
problem admittedly more grave than
it ever has been.
General Witherspoon positively de
clined to discuss the subject of the
embargo on arms. He said no orders
for the movement of troops had been
issued yet, but that the border forces
might ' be strengthened at certain
points, particularly along the Imper
ial Valley.
CENSUS FIGURES
OF UNITED STATES
BUREAU ANNOUNCES CALCULA.
TIONS OF DEPARMENT
EXPERT.
OVER, 98,000,000 PEOPLE
Figures Show Increase of Nearly
Seven Million People in Last
Four Year.
Washington. Continental United
States now has a population of more
than 98,000,000 people , while the coun
try with its possessions is peopled
with more than 109,000,000 persons,
the census bureau announced. Cen
sus experts have calculated that the
population of continental United
States on July 1, 1914, will be 98,
781,324, against 91,972,266 on April
15, 1910, when the last census was
taken. For the United States and
its possessions they estimate the pop
ulation this July will be 109,021,992,
compared with 101,748,269 in 1910.
Estimates for cities under 100,000
have not been announced.
Among the cities for which esti
mates of 100,000 population or . more
are made as of July 1, 1914, ar ;the
following: ' 1 '.'-fc'y
Birmingham, 166,154 ; hok;t'&ie
438,914; Oakland, 1 83,002 f San, Fran
cisco, 448,502; Denver, 245,523 ;'.W&s
ington, 353,378; Atlanta, 179,292 y Chi
cago, 2,393,325; Indianapolis, 259,413;
Louisville, 233,114 ; New Orleans, 361,
221; Baltimore, 579,590; Boston, 733,
802; Detroit, 537,650;; Minneapolis,
343,466; St. . Paul, 236,766; Kansas
City, 281,911; St. Douls, 734,667;
Omaha, 133,274; Newark, 389,106; Al
bany, 102,961; Buffalo, 454,112;' New
York (including) " 5,333,537; Bronx
borough, 529,198; Brooklyn borough,
1,833,696; Manhattan borough, 2,
536,716; Queens borough, 339,886;
Richmond borough, 94,043; Rochester,
241,518; Syracuse, 149,353; Cincinnati,
402,175; Cleveland, 639,431; Colum
bus, 204,567; Dayton, 123,794; Toledo,
184,126; Portland, Ore., 260,601; Phil
adelphia, 1,657,810; Pittsburgh 564,
878; Reading, 103,361; Scranton, 141,
351; Memphis, 143,231;. Nashville,
114,899; Dallas, 111,986; San Antonio,
115,063; Salt Lake City, 109,530; Rich
mond, 134,917; Seattle, 313,023; Spo
kane, 135,657; Tacoma, 103,418; Mil
waukee, 417,054.
Estimates of the population of the
united States on July 1, 1914:
Alabama, 2,269,945; Arizona, 239,
053; Arkansas, 1,686,480; California,
2,757,895; Colorado, 909,537; Connecti
cut, 1.202.6S8; Delaware, 209,817; Dis
trict of Columbia, 353,378; Florida,
848,111; Georgia, 2,776,513; 'Idaho,
395,407; Illinois, 5,986,781; Indiana,
2,779,467; Iowa, 2,221,755; Kansas, 1.
784,897; Kentucky, 2,350,731; Louisi
ana, 1,773,482; Maine, 762.787; Mary
land, 1,341,075; Massachusetts, 3,605,
522;. -Michigan, 2,974,030; Minnesota,
2,213,919; Mississippi, 1,901,882; Mis
souri, 3,372886; Montana, 432,614;
Nebraska, 1,245,873; Nevada, 98,726;
New Hampshire, 438,662; New Jersey,
2,815,663; New Mexico, 383,551; New
York, 9,898.761; North Carolina, 2,
339,452; North Dakota. 686,966; Ohio,
5;026,898; Oklahoma, 2,026,534; Ore
gon,' 785,239; Pennsylvania, 8,245.967;
Rhode Island, 591,215; South Carolina,
1,590,015; South Dakota, 661,583: Ten
nessee, 2,254,754; Texas, 4,257,854;
Utah, 414,518; Vermont. 361,205; Vir
ginia, 2,150,009; War ngton, 1,407,
865; West Virginia, 1.332,910; Wis
consin, 2,446,716; Wyoming, 168,736.
Admiral Badger Praises Sailors.
Washington High praise as accord
ed Rear Admiral Fletcher and his of
ficers and men who participated in
the occupation of Vera Cruz in a gen
eral order issued by Rear Admiral
Badger, commander-in-chief of the At
lantic fleet. Admiral Badger report
ed the order to the Navy Department.
"The occupation of the city of Vera
Cruz, Mexico," it reid, "commenced
on the forenoon of April 21, 1914, by
the Naval forces of the United States,
having been successfully concluded."
The commander-in-chief desires to
congratulate Rear Admiral F. F.
Fletcher, U. S. N., in command of the
United States naval forces on shore,
and the officers and men of the land
ing forces and of the cruisers for
their gallant conduct. The gallantry
and cxpidition of the officers and men
engaged in this enterprise undertaken
on the spur of the moment and in the
face of adverse conditions was ir.
keeping with the traditions of the ser
vice, and should the cool-headednest
of the bearers of the stars and stripes
REPORTED HUERTA
WANTS MEDIATIOI
SPANISH AMBASSADOR SAYS HE
HAS PRIVATE ADVICES FROM
MEXICO CITY.
REPORTS ARE NOT OFFICIAL
President Yet Hope For Peace But
Is Not Confident That Same la
Possible.
Washington. Spanish Ambassador
Riano announced late Sunday night
that he had received private advices
from Mexico City stating that Gea
eral Huerta had accepted the offer
of Argentina, Brazil and Chile to us
their good offices , to brng about
an amicable settlement of the diffi
culty between the United States and
Mexico.
This information though unofficial
was accepted as authentic by the Am
bassador, who expects to be prepared
to place General Huerta's formal ac-'
ceptance before the representatives
of the three South American coun
tries. .
The interests- of the Huerta Gov
ernment in the United States wer
taken over by the Spanish Embassy
when Charge Algara left Washington.
Ambassador Riano received the offer
of good offices from the three peace
lerivoys Saturday night. It was cabled
'immediately to Mexico City.
When the formal acceptance from
Mexfob .City is in hand the South,
Americaiiiplomats will be ready to
proceed Svith their plan, no intima
tion of the nature of which as yet
has been given. It generally has been
understood here, however, that the
peace envoys expect to deal directly
with the situation cerated by the Tam
pico incident and other offnses against
the honor and dignity of the. United
States-."
Administration, Officials appeared to
be much gratified at the prospect at
having proposals of the great South
American Republics listened to by
General Huerta.
VERA CRUZ UNDER MARTIAL LAW
Following Insurance of Proclamation,
City Under Naval Officers'
Rule.
Vera Cruz. Vera Cruz Sunday
night was under martial law". Rear Ad
miral Frank F. Fletcher, command
ing the American :r&val forces ' oa
shore, issued a proclamation to this
effect and the last opportunity Mexi
cans had for handling their own af
fairs in Vera Cruz under -
laws disappeared.
Admiral Flecther and his stall de
termined there should be no mora
quibbling with the Mexican officials
regarding form of government and
until further notice residents of this
port will live and be judged by mili
tary law. The word has gone forth
that disorder and unruliness in any
form shall receive swift and severe
punishment. This proclamation makes
Rear Admiral Fletcher absolute ruler
ashore.
It is believed the martial law proc
lamation will open the way for more
of the city and. federal employes to
return and co-operate and aid in re
storing the local government func
tions. Mexicans point out that these
men now will be in a position to ex
plain to their friends and the existing
government at the capital that under
martial law they felt obliged to re
turn to their work.
1 An order that all arms be turned
in by residents by noon Sunday
brought to the headquarters of tho
provost marshal bushels of small arms
and stacks of rifles.
Many Mexican officials have report
ed their willingness to resume their
duties of office under the supervision
of the Americans. The American of
Qclals named to date to assist in the
supervision of the municipal govern
ment are:
Commander H. O. Stlckney, of the
Prairie, captain of the port; Fleet
Surgeon T. W. Spratllng, sanitary in
spector; Commander D. F. Sellers of
the Arkansas, provost marshal; Com
mander John M. Luby, of the South
Carolina, director of the postofflce.
Schools Open Again.
Robert Diaz, mayor of Vera Cruz,
ahs agreed to reopen his office and it
was arranged that public schools shall
be reopened Monday. Efforts of Rear
Admiral Fletcher, supplemented by
those of the British commander, Rear
Admiral Sir Christopher Cradack, and
the French and German Consuls and
private citizens to bring about the de
parture from the interior of all for
eigners who wish to leave, are be Ins
continued en( rgeticallyt but tha
hope of getting out more than a small
part of those lett is diminishing hourly