Connecticut western news., 1914-04-23

Acting upon orders to begin hostih- ties against Mexico, Admiral Fletcher met vigorous resistance in Vera Cruz, and fierce engagement .ensued, which resulted in four marines killed and over twenty wounded. Firing Is still going on.
 Admiral Fletcher was instructed to prevent a consignment of 15,0O0,OOO rounds of ammunition and some ma chine guns on board the Hamburg American liner Ypiranga from getting into the hands of the federal forces.
 Admiral Fletcher was ordered not to impede the entrance of the vessel into the port, as this was forbidden In in- ternational law in the absence of blockade.
 His orders were to seize the custom house and take possession of the ann munition.
 The presidents decision to act on his own responsibility grew out of his i'm patience at the delay of congress in ap- proving his stand by joint resolution.
 In order to strengthen the naval forces at Vera Cruz for any test of strength that may be involved in hold ing that port after its seizure, the navy department has ordered all but four ships of the torpedo f1otilla to abandon Admiral Badgers command and steam for Vera Cruz at twenty-two knots.
 A report, as yet unverified. has been received at the state department that Huerta is tearing up the railroad tracks between Mexico City and Vera Cruz.
 Huerta Shows Hi3 Teeth.
 Huerta showed his teeth when the United States warships prepared to seize the custom house and halt yes sel of the Hamburg-American line with 10000 rifles and 15,OO0.0O0 rounds of ammunition. The Vera Cruz command CT. General Maas, by Huerta's orders. posted strong forces with machine guns on the islands before the city. They have been ordered to resist to the last any attempt to land American forces.
 It is known at Vera Cruz that the shipment which the administration is so anxious to prevent reaching Huerta consists of 15,OOO,O0O rounds of am munition and 200 of the latest models of Krupp rapid fire machine guns.
 Huerta, 1t is understood, ordered these munitions specifically to hold and defend the railway from Mexico City Co Vera Cruz. The seizure of this line is the very first step contemplated by army and navy strategists to follow occupation of Vera Cruz and the initial warlike measures. If Huertc gets arms to defend it the task of the United States would be infinitely hard.
 Orders Approved.
 The Vera Cruz episode completely overshadowed every other develop ment in Mexico. It was the subject of long conference of the cabinet, and it was plainly a cause of grave con- cern to the president and his advisers 1t resulted in a series of wild rumors.
 It is known that the president has approved a series of general orders dealing with Mexico. These, it is un derstood, outline in every essential de. tail the procedure to be followed fin blockading the Mexican coast.
 Copies have been transmitted to the admirals commanding on the east ana west coasts and also in confidence to the representatives of foreign govern. ments at Vera Cruz. These orders will be released by wireless immediately after the president signs the joint reso lution authorizing his use of the army and navy dealing with the Mexican sit uation.
 Secretary Daniels left the cabine: meeting and hurried to his own office He was plainly very much concerned