Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-22

their glasses a large force of Mexi- cans moving over tho hills in the west err outskirts of the city, apparently with the intention of flanking bat talion of marines in the railway yards and along Montesinos street, which runs east and west, not far from the American consulate.
 Instantly the five-inch guns of the Prairie let go, breaking the Mexican formation and causing a nasty re- treat. This ended the flanking move ment
 Only a few minutes before the three inch guns of the Prairie had been used effectively near shore. A small de- tachment of MeXicans had gained po- sitions near the customs house and their concealed marksmen were caus- ing some trouble. A few shots from the Prairte's guns served to silence that position, from time to time the same guns played their shells along the line of the shore, keeping that ter ritory comparatively free of sharp shooters.
 In the action about the customs house two of the bluejaokets in a launch which carried a rapid frer were wounded.
 The Demand For Surrender.
 The demand for the surrender of Vera, Cruz was made by Rear Ad- miral Fletcher through Consul Cana da by o'clock in the morning. The consul called General Custave Maas, cemnandant of Vera Cruz, by tele- phone and presented the demands, saying 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.
 General Maas replied that com pliance with the demand was impos- Ia1 HlnD e., sonal barley. The consul informed General Maas that he had no instruc- tionS to grant barley and ended the | conversation. He then called the jefe 1 politico and the customs collector by 1 telephone and informed them of the prospective landing and asker for their cooperation in the maintenance 1 of peace.
 The customs collector requested time, l in order to attend to certain duties; and neither could promise any assist ] aS-1a
 1 Rear Admiral Fletcher, aboard the l flagship Florida, by this time was in 1 -in-vhief of the Atlantic fleet, who was speeding toward this 1 port with five warships. Admiral i Fletcher decided to take action and marines began leaving the side of the ! transport Prairie shortly before il 1 o'clock. They entered ten whaleboats l and effected landing within half an | hour at the customs house and No. 1 pier which extends almost from the i center shore line into the port and terminal wo..ks.
 Information that President Huerta was counting on receiving from the steamer Ypiranga of the Hamburg American line, which was due to ar
 rive today. big consignment o1 l ammunition rifles and machine guns N | the customs house somewhat earlier
 than might otherwise have been the | case.
 The Ypiranga is stiT outside the
 harbor. She has on board among
 other supplies, 10000 rifles and 15,00O,- 900 cartridges.
 | President Huerta has been making | every effort to safeguard this con- signment and had given orders that | 1t be unloaded immediately, placed or
 a special train drawn by two loco motives and rushed to the capital
 Mexican Make Stubborn Resistance
 The Mexicans, under General Gus
 tavo Maas, the commandant of Vers ! Crubz, put np a stubborn resistance General Maas challenged the advance of the Americans almost from the frs
 and made it clear that the. Mexican: do not propose to permit a peaceful ! occupation.
 Less than half an hour after leav-
 ing the side of the United State; ] transport Prairie the marines haC landed, and the absence of resistance at the water front and failure on the
 part of the Mexicans to contest tn, taking of a position somewhat il | frort the water front caused the curious spectators in the street tC
 laugh and when one Mexican peor
 ran for cover, having had the temeri ty to shout at the top of his voice
 Viva Mexicoi" loud guffaws came l from the onlookers.
 But the luI was not indicative O
 compliance. A few shots came within
 few minutes and later a brief eI.
 change and the spectators, whose GU
 rlosity alone brought them into tn,
 streeIs lngersd fhinging 1t was only show of reslstance. But after an l other brief interval fighting in earnes
 began and hour after hour the Mexi
 cans continued to oppose the Ameri
 cans hercely In somo quarters. al i though the main body apparently seemed ready to quit.
 Most of the fighting was done by 1 outpost parties placed on roofs O.
 houses at various paints of vantage