File No. 312.52/480.
Vice Consul Bevan to the Secretary of State.
Tampico, December 8, 1914.
Vicente Vidal and Eduardo Sabugal, Spanish subjects, were shot in Tampico this morning at sunrise by order of Governor Caballero, Last night Colonel Francisco Gonzalez the chief military official in Tampico told me that he did not know upon what charge the men were held. The Spaniards told me personally that they were absolutely ignorant of the cause for which they were detained. This morning Colonel Gonzalez advised me that he had received orders last night to shoot them at daybreak and stated that he did not know what charge was against them but he was compelled to carry out orders from his superior. My despatch of December 3rd to Governor Caballero requesting information relative to the arrest of the Spaniards remains unanswered. Julian Zorilla one of these has not yet been ordered shot. Respectfully suggest that Department take up matter with General Carranza requesting the release of Zorilla.