The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-01
Impressive Ceremony When
Admiral Fletcher Drops
Reins of Government In
General Funston Hands
.Jackies Now Sleep
On Ships In Bay
Populace Cheers as Army and
Navy March and All Is Quiet.
Think Fleet Will Go to Tam
pico or Down Coast
ny DUDLEY HARMON.

VERA CRUZ. April 3Q.--Ciensral
Frederick Funston and the United
States army are now in military con-
troll OF Vera Cruz. After nine days
of nghtingj followed BY efficient ad
Sntnistratton, the navy sleeps ABOARD
the great feet swinging a, anchor in
the harhor. Rear Admiral Fletcher,
on his flagship. the Florida, while Cap
tain Huise, his chief of STAFF, Is TAX =
ing the first rest he has had in all
that time. The wounded sailors in
the sick BAYS are all recovering, and
the one question which comes up from
every man ON sixteen war vessels to-
night is. Where can we repeat
II is reported that Admiral Fetch
err with his squadron. may ba off to-
morrow for TanpIco. where something
else may have 10 he done. There fs
nothing definite about this II In not
known whether Rear Admiral Badger.
the commander chief aaoat, has
received orders from Washington. 1t
Is only II, the air.
The ceremony Of srshster today was
simple. but most Impressive, AithouE h
the sailors were all ready to return
yestefdaS n required almost IN 70 :
o'clock FOR the army men to get ashore
@itH fNe4f gHpTblHAshlSs 4 H& iff9nU-
tain artillery, which came In on the
salttlio and San Marcos was, dAsem
harked early. So that shorfly before
the hour everything Was in readiness
Transfer Effected.
The transfer sss effected on the
pier OF La Muelle de Ia Sandal, the
health department wharf just north
Of the customs house shed Admiral
Fletcher and his STAFF, and General
Funston and his STAFF came from the
Terminal hotel All we're in severe
service uniforms Back OF the two
commanders stood battalion Of sol
diers ard battalion OF marines. which
remains. Then 10 the inspiring strains
OF a march ths head ~ "a column OF
$500 young sailors swung into the
open plaza the men of the Utah. Ar
kansas and Florida, At the right OF
the line. As they appeared refugees
by the thousands. Spanards, and even
Nexlcans. who. week ago. we're dead
~ enemies broke Into cheers and vivas
General Funston and his staff came
10 attention and the lines hack al
them to pre.en, arms.
Very quickly the sailors swept by.
Areaking line to reach their whalebeats
and the tugs which were ~ take then,
10 their ships. The soldiers remained
Etif at attention until the last OF
them passed.
Then Admiral Fletcher and his staff
ptepred out wheeled and saluted Gen
oral Funston.
Funston. in bis turn. returned the
salute. and addressed few words &c
the seaman who has covered himself
with glory The admiral raluted the
general again, who returned the salute
and then one turned to his launch
which awaited him, and the other
marched to his new headquarters te
begin his task. the magnitude Of which
pniy the future can disclose
4 Congratulate Admiral.
Immediately after leaving shore u
became known that the admiral had
ISSUED an order earlier IN the day
(which won him more commentators
II came forth In the regular routine
Continued on Second FaAe.)