The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-23
STORY OF THE FIGHT
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Continued From Page One)
most Of them protesting they were
not guilty of unfriendliness whatso-
ever toward Americans. Accustomed
as the Mexicans are to their own con-
tending forces shooting Immediately
all prisoners taken. the captured
could not believe that they would re-
ceive no less drastic treatment at the
hands of the Americans. The guns
found in houses were thrown by the
marines and bluejackets from the up
per balconies of the houses to the
pavements below.
Fight Mt the Academy.
The most spirited action of Wednes-
day was the taking Of the naval
academy. Aside from that fight there
was no definite organized opposition
encountered by the Americans. a
hot fire was poured into the advanc-
ing Americans from the naval college
which for time held them back but
a few we'll directed shots from the
cruisers Chester, San Francisco and
Prairie tore gaping holes in the stone
walls and silenced the rifle fire of the
Mexicans inside. The bluejackets
then were enabled to proceed with the
task they had in hand.
A squad of soldiers, despite the
Smelling it had received Tuesday, con-
tinued to give, trouble to the Amerf-
cans from the battered Benito Juarez
tower. After they had been sifenced
and removed from the tower it was
discovered the soldiers had continued
fighting for lack of ability to do any
thing else. The shells from the war;
ships Tuesday had torn away the
stairway in the tower and the men
had been compelled to remain in it.
At 10 o'clock Wednesday morning
the Americans were in undisputed pos
session of all the city except the south
west quarter, in which the barracks
are situated and a few outlying dis
tricts. At noon they had taken the
barracks. .z-.
When the city prison. which faces
the main plaza of the city, was cap
tured, Lieut.. Commander Buchanan OF
the Florida made an inspection tour
through it. There was great surprise
among the Mexicans who had gath
cred there that the prisoners were not
to see the victor always release pris-
oners and then impress them all into
his army.
Police Chief q Prisoner.
Chief of. Police Antonio Villa VIM
cencio was taken prisoner by the
Americans shortly after they had oc-
cupied the main plaza OF the city. II
was suggested to him that he continue
in his official capacity to direct the
Guys pTOIeCIlVe SYSTEM. ne tOOh Liz
matter under advisement. Had the
frightened mayor made up his mind
to accede to Admiral Fletcher's sug-
gestion, which was made through
Consul Canada, the Mexicans might
have been spared the humiliation OF
being forced from their positions and
undoubtedly a number of lives would
not have been sacrificed.
Coincident with the orders for the
general advance of the Americans, ar
aged white haired Mexican, carrying
the white flag of truce, came down q
street from the center OF the city. He
carried q letter to the chief Of police
the only authority he hoped to reach
and desired Consul Canada to read 1t
1t was an urgent appeal to the CHIEF
of police to call off the snipers and
prevent the bombardment he believed
would follow II they continued theil
execution.
Even before the messenger had