Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-25
CONCENTRATION OF U. S.
FORCES IN AND ABOUT
VERA CRUZ ON FRIDAY

Vera Cruz, April 24.-The battleships
Louisiana arrived today and imme-
diately landed attachments of ma
rines and bluejackets. The Mississip-
ri also prepared TO send ashore 700
marines and battalion of bluejackets
as well as two aeroplanes.
The marines who had been holding
the outposts were relieved today by
a battalion of bluejackets.
All about the city attachments of
blueiackets and marines are quarter
ed and squads patrol the streets.
BY tomorrow it is probable that the
total force on shore will reach $500
men.
The outposts have been equipped
with IL machine guns and several
three-inch field pieces which were
taken to the front today by teams of
six horses to each gun.
Rear Admiral Fletcher's headquar-
tiers at the Terminal Hotel are guard
ed by machine guns, and in the vi
cinity are seven field pieces held in
reserve.
Distribution of Supplies
The commissary, ordinance and
auartermaster's departments worked
efficiently so that along the docks
there were no piles of supplies as is
usually the case when an armed force
is landed All Were promptly distrib-
uted among the troops, who besides
received distilled water from the ships
under the superintendency of the med
ical department.
Over $50 Mexican sick and wounded
were found in the San Sebastian hos
pital when it was inspected today by
a navy surgeon. Among the wounded
was only one woman, who had been
shot through the arm. In the mort
uary of the hospital, 40 unburied Mex
lean dead were laying as well as
supply of ammunition. This had been
protected from the gun fire of the
warships and the rife fire of the
landing parties by the hospital flag,
although it appears certain that there
was much sniping from the roof of
the hospital
Hospital Conditions Bad
Conditions in the hospital were
found to be so bad that three navy
surgeons were detailed today to as
sist the hospital authorities. Food
and medicine were supplied from the
Soiace.
All the American wounded have
been taken on board the Solace and
the navy surgeons are enthusiastic
over the care and attention they are
able to give the stricken men, owing
to the excellent equipmnt of the ves-
sci.
The medical department today made
an inspection of the sanitary condi-
tons of the city and opened negotia-
lions with the Mexican health off,
eials in the hope of inducing them to
return to their work.
With Commander Herman o. Stick
ney of the Prairie appointed COM
mander of the port, the American au-
thorities today undertook the admin
istration of the customs. For a time
there will be in reality two customs
houses. Mariana Ascarraga, the Mex
lean customs collector, is not inclined
to serve under American supervision,
but says he will take charge of the
undispatched business, which was in
hand at the moment of the occupa-
ton. Commander Stickney and his
men are to look after the new bust
ness.
Rear Admiral Fletcher has begun
the general supervision of the city
and he and his staff are working ar
duously in Strengthening out local af-
fairs.
The sanitation plant of the munich
pality was placed in operation again
today under new chief and the street
car lines also have begun to resume
Numbers of stores and restaurants
were opened yesterday and crowds
walked about the streets and the open
places. Except for the passing of an
occasional patrol, the city seems to
have resumed almost normal condi-
lions.
Bands from the American fleet
played at various parts of the city
yesterday and attracted large crowds
of civilians.
Large numbers of Mexicans called
at Rear Admiral Fletchers headquar-
ter stoday, pleading for the release