The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-22
Nexicans Fire ON American
Marines at Vera Cruz
When They Land to Occupy the
Customs House.
FOUR KILLED; q WOUNDED
Blueiackets Return the Fire ;
Mexican Loss Unknown.
Resistance Came Largely From
Citizen Sharpshooters.

Vera Cruz, April 22.-vera Cruz Is
in the hands of forces from the United
States warships, but the occupation
OF the port was not accomplished
without the loss Of American lives.
Four Americans. bluejackets and
marines, were killed by the fire Of the
Mexican soldiers and twenty fell
wounded. The Mexican loss is not
known, but it is believed to have been
heavy.
The water front. the customs house
and all important piers, including
those under the terminal works. from
which extended the railroads to the
capital, have been occupied. All the
territory around the American con-
sulate Is strongly patrolled and de-
tachments hold other sections OF the
city.
The Mexican commander. General
Gustavo Mas, offered a stubborn re-
sistance to the American advance and
for many hours there was fighting in
the streets. Toward night fall it was
reported that the main body Of the
federal garrison was in retreat to the
westward.
The demand for the surrender Of
Vera Cruz was made by Rear Admiral
Fletcher through Consul Canada at 8
o'clock in the morning. The consul
called General GustavO, by telephone.
and presented the demands, saying
that the United States forces were
about to occupy and hold the town.
He called upon him to surrender in
the name OF humanity and assist the
Americans in restoring order.
Farley Is Refused.
General Mas replied that compli-
ance with the demand was impossible.
and asked the consul for a personal
parley.
The consul informed General Mas
that he had no instructions to grant a
parley and ended the conversation. He
then called the jcfe politico and The
customs collector by telephone and in
formed them of the prospective land
ing and asked for their cooperation
in the maintenance OF peace.
The customs collector requested
time in order to attend to certain
duties, and neithe4 could promise any
assistance.
Information that President Huerta
was counting on receiving from the
steamer Ypiranga, Of the Hamburg
American line, a big consignment OF
ammunition. rifles and machine guns.
was responsible for the occupation OF
the customs house somewhat earlier
than might otherwise have been the
case. The Ypiranga is still outside the
harbof. She has on board among 9TH
er supplies 10000 rifles and 100000
cartridges.
President Huerta has been making
every effort to safeguard this con-
signment and had given orders that 1t
be unloaded Immediately, placed on
special train drawn by two locomotives
and rushed to the capital.
Captain Rush's men had already
taken up their positions. They num-
bered $50 bluejackets from the Flor
ida, 900 marines from the Prairie and
65 marines from the Florida. Later
these were augmented by detach-
ment from the Utah.
Marines Land.
The coming Of the American forces
was not heralded by any great excite
ment. but small crowds gathered to
watch the landing. Soon the blue
Jackets and marines marched through
the streets leading from the water
front, and along the railroad yards
Others proceeded to the American
consulate, while still others were de-
ployed along the approaches to Gen.
trail Plaza, in which General Mas had
concentrated his men. These maneuv-
ers were effected without opposition.
but suddenly General Mas challenged
the advance with the first shots-a
vOlley fired from a point three blocks
south of the main plaza. The marines
replied Immediately, but the action
ceased in moment. There was lull
for ten minutes and then another
OTIcl o4CHdH8c ITOIn the west emu Oh
MontesinOs street, where federal
outpost was stationed.
At 1880 the firing became general
and at o'clock the guns on the trans
port Prairie went into action.
Prior to this a detachment Of blue
jackets from the Utah, holding the
ground between the consulate and the
water front, opened with two Of their
three inch guns. The first shots from
these pieces were directed against an
wi q,
lighthouse. This was occupied by
Mexican sharpshooters.
Lieutenant Commander Buchanan OF
the Florida ordered that 1t be de-
stroyed. Five shots brought the old
Benito Juarez tower down.
The women of the American colony
in Vera Cruz had already been placed
aboard the chartered steamers Espe-
rama and Mexico, but the foreign col
Ony, especially the American section
was greatly augmented this morning
when three train loads arrived from
the capital Some OF these remained
ashore but many were taken aboard
the steamers. So far as can be learned
none or the refugees was injured.
Cable Office Taken.
The postoffice. government telegraph
Office and the cable office were tn,
first buildings occupied after the Gus
toms house. A squad of marines wal
placed in charge of tho cable Office.
The telegraph wires were found In
tact and enough Mexican operator,
were retained to man the lines Il
Mexico City.
After General Mas had been driver
from his position in Central Plaza tn,
Americans found themselves the OBJ
ject of fusillades from the tops O
houses where small groups Of soldier
and citizens had taken positions. 1
was learned that the greater part O
those engaged in this resistance wer
civilians, who refused to accept tn
American occupation passively. The
obtained guns and stationed themselve
at points Of vantage and did much t
prolong the action.
Towards the middle of the Afternoon
. large body Of Mexicans evacuate