Perth Amboy evening news., 1914-04-22
Report Haas Has Fled.

Special By United Press Wire.
Vera Cruz, April 22.-General
Haas, military commander at Vera
Cruz and commander of the Mexican
federal troops here, is reported to
have fed from the city with his
family. Many of the city officials
are also said to have fed. A scout
returning from the center of the city
early today reported that he under
stood General Haas and many other
city officials left town with their
families yesterday, shortly after
noon.
The Mexican troops were left
practically withent officers to act as
they chose.
Today what Is left OF the Mas
command is scattered throughout
the central portion of the city large
portion having deserted.
Acting upon orders to begin HOSTILE
! ties against Mexico, Admiral Fletcher
met vigorous resistance in Vera Cruz,
and fierce engagement ensued, which
resulted In four marines killed and
over twenty wounded. Firing is still
going on.
Admiral Fletcher was instructed to
prevent consignment of 15,000,O00
rounds of ammunition and some ma.
chine guns on board the Hamburg
American liner Ypiranga from getting
into the hands of the federal forces.
Admiral Fletcher was ordered not to
impede the entrance of the vessel into
the port, as this was forbidden in In
ternational law IN the absence OF a
blockade.
His orders were to seize the custom
house and take possession Of the am
munitiOn.
The presidents decision to act on his
own responsibility grew out Of his i'm
patience at the delay of congress in ap-
proving his stand by Il joint resolution.
In order to strengthen the naval
forces at Vera Cruz for any test OF
! strength that may be involved IN hold
| ing that port after its seizure, the navy
department has ordered all but four
ships of the torpedo totilla to abandon
Admiral Badgers command and steam
for Vera Cruz at twenty-five knots.
A report, rs yet unverhed, has been
received at the state department that
Huerta is tearing up the railroad
tracks between Mexico City and Vera
Cruz.
Huerta Shows His Teeth.
Huerta showed his teeth when the
United States warships prepared to
seize the custom house and halt ves-
sci Of the Hamburg American line with
10000 rifles and 100000 rounds of
ammunition, The Vera Cruz command
er, General Mas, by Huerta's orders,
posted strong forces with machine guns
on the islands before the city. They
have been ordered to resist to the last
any attempt to land American forces.
| 1t is known ut Vera Cruz that the
shipment which the administration Is
so anxious to prevent reaching Huerta
consists of 100000 rounds of am
munition and 200 Of the latest models
| of Krupp rapid fire machine guns
Huerta, 1t Is understood, ordered
these munitions specifically to hold and
defend the railway from Mexico City
to Vera Cruz. The seizure Of this line
is the very first step contemplated by
army and navy strategists to follow
occupation Of Vera Cruz and the initial
warlike measures. If HuertH gets arms
to defend it the task of the United
States would be infinitely hard.
Orders Approved.
! The Vera Cruz episode completely
overshadowed every other develop
ment In Mexico. 1t was the subject Of
! o long conference of the cabinet anS
| It was plainly cause Of grave con-
Germ to the president and his advisers,
1t resulted in series Of wild rumors.
1t Is known that the president has
Continued on page ~
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