MEXICO CITY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8733, 15 May 1914, Page 5

MEXICO CITY

EXODUS OF PRIESTS FEAR OF VILLA’S MURDEROUS THREATS. By Telceraph—Press Association—CoDyriefci ‘'Times" and Sydney "Sun” Services. (Received May 14, G. 20 p.m.) MEXICO CITY. May 14. An exodus of priests is taking place, owing to fear of Villa’s murderous threats. GENERAL HUERTA. “PREPARING TO MAKE A LAST STAND.” By Teleffraph—Press Association—Copyright WASHINGTON, May 13'. General Huerta, it is understood, is preparing to leave the capital with los'al troops and make a last stand at Puebla, midway between Mexico City and Vera Cruz. Such is reported to bn the statement made by Mr O’Shaughnessy, ex-American Charge d’Affaires, recently from Mexico City. During a conference with President Wilson, Air O’Shaughnessy reported that Mexicans had shot an insane American soldier named Parks outside Vera Crux and afterwards burned the body. The United States Secretary for War (Mr Garrison) demands that General Maas, the Federal commander, shall explain fate. , ARRESTED AS A ! SPY. A “TIMES” CORRESPONDENT. PREDICTS DOAVNFALL OF HUERTA. “Times" and Sidney "Sun” Services. LONDON, May 13. The special correspondent of “Tho Times” with tlie American .fleet at Vera Cruz visited Mexico City, and was arrested as a spy, but later was liberated. He has reported that there are spies everywhere, and that summary arrests are frequent. Foreign residents anticipate tho downfall of Huerta through a local revolution or his defeat by Villa, unless he is previously assassinated.' HEAVY FIRING AROUND TAMPICO. FEDERALS EVACUATE THE CITY. FIGHT TO VIEW DEAD SEAMEN, (Received May 14, 9.50 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 14. Tho rebels encountered desperate resistance before they captured Tampico. Heavy firing continues around tho city. It is believed that the Federals are fighting a rear-guard action. The Constitutionalists hold the railroads between Tampico and Monterey. The losses are unknown. The State Department understands that the Federals evacuated Tampico, being unable to withstand the fury of the Constitutionalists’ attack. During the lying-in-state of two seamen who were killed in Mexico, crowds of people filled a hall , in Philadelphia, and fought for places to view the bodies. Many women fainted, and two men were seriously injured, one probably fatally. BRITISH POLICY,

TO MINIMISE FURTHER BLOODSHED. (Received May 14, 11.20 p.m.) ‘ LONDON, May 14. The “ Standard " states that the Cabinet is considering a Mexican dispatch. It is understood that Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary, indicates that his policy is to minimise further bloodshed. He is not hopeful regarding South American mediation.