Milford chronicle., 1914-04-24
More Than 200 M9XiCanS
Reported Killed.
FOUGHT FROM HOUSEHOLDS
Planned TO Seize War Munitions
on the Way to Hnerta.

Washington, April 22.-The Ameri-
can flag flies over Vera Cruz.
Four Americans were killed and
twenty wounded when a detachment
Of bluejackets and marines from the
American fleet seized the custom
house, raised the American flag and
skirmished with the Mexican garri-
son.
Those killed were Coxswain Shoe.
maker, Corporal Haggerty and Sea
man Puissett, all of the battleship
/ Florida. The name of the fourth man
could not be learned.
The wounded include C. L. Leahy,
| U. Schwartz, c. d. Cameron, J. F.
Plese, seamen Of the Florida; Electri-
clan Geisburn, of the Florida, and D.
D. Mcmillan, private, Second Marine
regiment, from the transport Prairie.
Desultory firing was in progress for
several hours, according to a dispatch
from Rear Admiral Fletcher. At first
the garrison had appeared to be with
drawing. American Consul Canada re-
ported this to the state department,
but when the American forces reached
the custom house the Mexicans opened
with rife and artillery fire.
The transport Prairie Immediately
began Smelling the Mexican positions, |
slowly driving them out. The Next |
cans fought from the housetops and |
along the streets.
$780, I..-rz
possession Of the cable Office and hold |
the American consulate and the sec
tion Of the city in the vicinity of the |
wharyes.
May Recall o'shaushnessy.
While no formal action was taken
by the president it is believed that
Charge dAffaires O'Shaughnessy will
be Immediately recalled from Mexico
City, and that the Mexican charge at
Washington, Senior Algara, will be
given his passports without delay.
The first news Of the fighting at
Vera Cruz and the seizure of the city
comes in this report from Admiral
Fletcher, received at the navy depart
ment
Tuesday, in face of approaching
norther, landed marines and sailors
from Utah, Florida and Prairie and
seized custom house. Mexican forces
did not oppose landing, but opened fire
with rifles and artillery after our seiz.
ure of custom house. Prairie Smelling
Mexicans out of their positions. De
sultory firing from house tops and
streets. Hold custom house and sec
tons Of city in vicinity of wharves and
Casualties four dead and
twenty wounded"
1t was followed in about an hour by !
another dispatch from Admiral Fetch.
eT, which read:
Holding the vicinity Of the railroad
station and the yards, and desultory
iring continues. Also holding the vi.
Unity of custom house and cable Of /,
Ice. Light norther is blowing" !
Later Admiral Fletcher sent this
dispatch: d
Our men are firing only when fred "
It. We prepared a flag of truce, with
Message to General Mas to cease fir d
ng or our big guns would be used.
70 wabout 1000 marines and sailors .
shore. All business here suspended" y,
A hurried conference was called at u
he White House, President Wilson g.,
umOning Secretaries Bryan, Garrison :,
nd Daniels. They were in conference u
Of over an hour, and emerged serious ~ ~
aced. n'
First blood has been spilled" said ~
ne Of the officials at the White -
louise. "
More than 200 Mexicans were killed sse
! the battle with the marines, accord ~
lg to an unofficial report. -
Secretary Bryan left the White WI
-ouse for the German embassy, where
g discussed with the German ambas.
ldor the consignment of arms for Su
uerta aboard Germant merchant ~
essel due to be landed in Vera Cruz. u
he capture Of the custom house at 70
era Cruz was ordered by President ~
'ilson to prevent the shipment of
lveral million rounds Of ammunition 10
I'd 200 machine guns from getting ne
to Huerta's hands. ~a
Mas Led MexIeans. bu
The Mexicans, under General Bus. ale
70 Mas, the commandant Of Vera thi
'uz, put up a stubborn resistance.