Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1914-04-23
First Blood is Shed
Americans Capture Vera Cruz
with a Loss of 4 Killed and
20 Wounded.
Stars and Stripes Now Float Ovel
Mexican Government Buildings
at That Port.
THE WAR HAS COMMENCED.

Yesterdays dispatches tell the fol-
lowing as the latest move on the part |
of the United States to force an apol-
ogy from the Huerta government for
its insult to the American soldiers:
Washington.-The American flag
now flies over Vera Cruz. Four
Americans we're killed and 20 wound
ed when a detachment OF bluejackets
and marines from the American feet
seized the customs house. raised the
American flag and skirmished with
the Mexican garrison Tuesday after
noon.
Desultory firing was In progress
late In the day. according to dis
patch from Rear Admiral Fletcher
received at p. III. At first the gar
rison had appeared to be withdraw
ing. American Consul Canada re-
ported this to the state department
at s o'clock. but when the American
forces reached the customs house the
Mexicans opened with rifle and ar
tilery fire.
The transport Prairie Immediately
began shelling the Mexican positions.
slowly driving them out. The Mexi-
cans fought from the house tops and
aloug :he streets.
The american forces have tahea
posse ssicn OF the cable Office and hold
the american consulate and the sec
tiun oi the city In the vicinity OF the
wharves.
Rear Admiral Fletcher's dispa' h
came by cable and reached here at
6 p. m.
The capture OF the customs house
at Vera Cruz was ordered by the
American government to prevent the
big shipment OF ammunition and ma
chine guus from getting into Huer-
ta's hands.
Congress had discussed all day the
resolution which would give approval
on the presidents purpose to use the
army and navy in the Mexican situa
tion. The senate had recessed unit
8 p. m. while the house adjourned
until Wednesday at 10 o'clock. Sen
ate leaders had agreed to take hna
action sometime Tuesday night.
The senate at 1921 o'clock Wed
nesday morning. by a vote OF " t.
13. passed the administration reso
luton" declaring that 1.-The presiden
is justified in the employment OF tn
armed forces of the United States t
enforce his demands for unequivoca
amends for the affronts and indigni
ties committed against the Unite
States" in Mexico.
Rear Admiral Badger with tn
first ships OF the Atlantic fleet reach
ed Vera Cruz Tuesday night, havin
been diverted from Tampico. wher
only the cruiser Des Moines lies.
Information which came fror
sources close to the cabinet counc
was to the effect that the presiden
exercised self-restraint and calml
determined that with the seizure c
Vera Cruz and the prevention c
shipments OF arms from reachin
Huerta further steps would not >b
taken by the American governmer
for the present. The future depend
on action by the Huerta authoritie
Secretary Garrison announced en-
phatically that no troop movement
had been ordered
U. $. Force Will BE 10000.
Officials did not believe Huer'
would take any offensive steps. but
he does the American marines al
bluejackets which will be assemble
In Vera Cruz within 4S hours WI
number about $4,000. Estimat
here place the Huerta forces at Me
leo City at about 5000 to 1000 me
and the belief of army and navy c
ficials is that the American force
II necessary. will be able to reach Il
Mexican capital without serious dill
Guilty.
The bulk of General Huerta's arm
is in the north fighting the Constit
tionalists.
Just what was the purpose Of {