The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-22
FIRST BLOOD
IN VERA CRUZ
fContsnued from page IL
pose Of landing was to take possession

u CITY can Dc pSacb0 uuucI COi'SAc1 "
Americans without further bioodshed
The Mexican forces under comman'
OF General Mas are believed TO b.
completely disrupted. A detachInen
of blue Jackets invaded the barracks
last night but found the building de
serted. Assuming that the federai
had fed or were hiding on roofs o.
buildings, the marines returned II
the firing line which occupies tho en-
tire water front and three or fons
blocks on each side OF the consulate
building.
Four Americans were Killed and
twenty wounded in this fighting yes
terday but the Mexican casualties are
eth uncertain. More than a SCORE OF
peyxons were found dead in the
streets. but as much OF the lighting
by the Mex;cans was done from houee-
tops and from windows. and the mar
ines picked cN many OF these SHARP
shooters, II e Impossible TO make
definite estimate of the number killed
Mrah OF the firing on American
FORCES came from civilians as wen as
the regular troops. The resident
section of Vera C-uz was quiet last
Etg11t, however Lights were out and
and doors barred and few ventured
upon the streets The heaviest firing
upon the marines and blue jackets
who were commanded by Captain
Rush from the battleship Florida, and
Lieutenant Colonel Neville OF the
marines, came from the naval cadets
In their school building nea. the wat
er front. When the cadets opened
fire, the Prairie she!ied their position
The old fort and building occupied by
the cadets was badly damaged, but
IT is not known whether there wera
any casualties at that point.
A scout returning from the center
Of the city early today reported that
he understood General Mas and
many Of the city officials left town
with their families in carriages yes
terday shortly after noon. Mexican
troops were left practically without
officers, to act as they choose. Today
what ia left of Mas command Is scat
tered throughout the central portion
Of the city. A large number have
deserted.
Late last night many OF the Mexican
troopers were found In a drunken stu
por wandering about the streets. Two
email liquor stores were sacked by
the men.
DeauItory firing was kept up until
6 last night. The marines and blue
Jackets swept the streets and the
Lila -
drove back the MeGcans VINO re-
piled Internationally.
Admiral Fletcher transmitted
through Consul Canada his warning
that the town would be bombarded
today If further resistance was shown
Fletcher gave Just two hours notice
of his intention OF landing forces
YESTERDAY. In fact only the consuls
and the city officials knew OF the
impending attack The Inhabitants
were ignorant of the meaning OF act
tyity Of American ships observed in
the harbor and focked toward the
water front.
When Canada received word from
the feet commander that a landing
was contemplated he called General
Mas on the telephone and in the
name OF the naval commander de-
nanded the surrender Of the city
Mas replied that this was impos-
sible. He asked time for parley
Canada said he had no authority to
grant this, and the first detachment OF
marines then landed at the Porfrio
Diaz pier now known as Terminal
Company Pier No. s." They took
possession Of switch engine there.
Then they took possession of the
power house, the cable Office was
next seized. The government censor
was a temporary prisoner along with
the operators. The telegraph office,
postof1ce and customs house were
next occupied. While the Americans
were taking possession of the city the
German ship, Ypiranga, was outside
the harbor with the great consign-
ment Of guns and ammunition for Cen
eraI Huerta The captain refused 70
surrender his cargo TO Rear Admiral
Fletcher but the latter did not press
the Issue.
The seizure Of the various Offices
near the water front was completed
between 1870 and -. Upwards Of
1000 marines and blue Jackets had
been landed by that time from the
Prairie, Florida and Utah and no
effort had been made by the MeIicans
TO resist.
It was 1928 when the federal gar
rtson numbering about 800 men. came
sauntering down the principal streets
from the barracks to the main plaza
There they divided up into groups,
making for street corners and private
residences. They took possession Of
windows in the residences. clambered
up on the roofs and placed themselves
at various points OF vantage.
Precisely at 12:45 the first shots
wera exchanged. Rifles and machine
guns were brought into play. A con-