Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-04-22
STORY OF THE FIGHT.
Landing Parties Succeed When Plead
ings Fail.

Vera Cruz, April 21.--American ma
rines from the battleship flotilla seiz-
ed the customs house today by order
of Admiral Fletcher. The landing
force was then attacked by the
Huertistas with rifle and artillery
fire.
The occupation began in the face Of
an approaching "norther." Marines
and sailors began leaving the sides or
the Prairie at II o'clock. The fight
ing force was from the transport and
the battleships Florida and Utah.
Two hours prior to their landing,
Admiral Fletcher demanded the sur
render of the city through American
Consul Canada. The consul called
General Mas, commandant OF Vera
Cruz, by telephone and presented the
demands. Mas was told that United
States forces were about to occupy
and hold the town. Consul Canada
called upon him to surrender in the
name of humanity, and assist the
Americans in preserving order.
cit is impossible to comply with the
demand" replied General Mas.
The consul then called Antonio
Villavancie, the jefe politico (gov-
ernor), and the customs collector by
telephone ard notified them of the
prospective landing. He asked for
their cooperation in the maintenance
of peace. The customs collector re-
quested time in order to attend to I'M
portant duties, and neither would
promise any assistance.
Huerta Circumyented.
Because of the expected arrival OF
the German steamer, Ypiranga, Ad-
miral Fletcher decided to take prompt
action. The Ypiranga is still outside
the harbor. She has on board 200
machine guns, 10000 rifles and 49,.
OO0, 900 cartridges for the Huertlstas.
Provisional President Huerta has been
doing everything to safeguard the
consignment. A special train was
waiting here to rush the munitions to
the capital.
Shortly before II O'Clock, Admiral
Fletcher received wireless from
Admiral Badger, commander-ln-chlef
of the Atlantic fleet, who was speed
ing here with five warships The
landing force was then ordered into
ten whaleboats, and effected land
ing on ,Porfiro Diaz wharf within halt
an hour.
There was no resistance at the wa
ter front. Curious spectators in the
streets laughed as one Mexican peon
ran to cover, having shouted viva
Mexico" But the lull was not indica
| tive Of compliance. The customs
house and sections of the city in the
vicinity of the wharves and the cable
office, and the American consulate
| were seized, with the exchange of a
few shots. This was shortly after IL
| Fight Begins at Noon.
| After brief interval, the MeXicans
opened with rifles and artillery. The
excitement was intense. Crowds ran
to the water front to learn what was
happening. A steady rumble of mus
kerry was heard throughout the city.
Outpost parties on the roofs OF
houses in the vicinity of the customs
houses were particularly dangerous.
The transport Prairie came in close
to shore when the Huertista arDalery
| fire opened. Shells were sent over
the customs house and dropped into
quarters where the MeXicans were
concentrated. This prevented them
from charging the customs house and
drove them back into the center OF
the city.
The marines gradually drove the
Mexican sharpshooters from the roofs
and other points of advantage in the
vicinity of the wharves.
Hour after hour the MeXicans kept
m a desultory fire. Their attacks
were internationally vigorous.
Mexicans Driven Out.
The desultory fire lessened toward
evening. The Huertistas Withdrew
westward and it is believed tonight
they have withdrawn.
The United States force in Vera
Cruz and vicinity consists OF the bat