South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-24
MARINES F0RTIFFY CITY
TO RESIST AN ATTACK

III RESISI AN Al ACk
/ CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE)
boys, gathered before the national
palace and cheered for Huerta.
American Stores Closed.
American stores have been closed
and the few Americans remaining
have been advised 10 remain indoors
They have barricaded their homes and
laid in supplies of food and NUM-
tons though for a siege"
Admiral Badger today has nearly
c 900 sailors and marines on shore.
/ They are divided into squads, each
with separate task. Some are clean
ing up the city, others are acting as
guards and sentries while others are
continuing the house TO house search
for hidden "snipers'' and secreted
war munitions. The work of this
last named squad is about completed.
In fact, conditions have become so
satisfactory that Rear Admiral Fletch-
er addressed another proclamation TO
the people of the city saying that UNI
less they resumed the normal course
Cf civil government. he would estab-
lish a government himself.
/ One problem that has given the
naval authorities much worry is that
of securing a supply of good drinking
water. When the forces were landed
structed not to drink the public water
supply for fear it had been poisoned.
An expeditionaTy force left at day
break for the public water works to
guard IL and make sure that 1t is kept
in working order.
City Continues Quiet.
The city continued quiet throughout
the night but the vigilant police pre-
cautions Of the American naval au-
! thOrities were no whit relaxed. As a
result of the accidental killing of
marine by a sailor sentinel, the COM
manders issued strict orders TO the SEN
tries. that under no circumstances
must they fire upon anyone in the
darkness until three challenges had
been given. Failure 10 obey this rule,
il was said, would result in severe pun
ishment.
Fortifcations are being erected
among the sand dunes southwest and
northwest Of the city. Trenches and
rifle pits are being dug and barricades
Of logs and bags filled with sand are
being erected.
Several stores, which had been
closed since Tuesday afternoon. open
ed their doors today and this relieved
TO some extent ne food shortage.
However. hundreds are still in want
and even if the stores were open they
would not be able to pay the eXorb-
liant war prices.
Have 200 Prisoners.
The Americans now have about 1000
Mexican prisoners on their hands. The
gunboat Progreso which came into the
harbor not knowing that Vera Cruz
had been captured by the United States
armed forces. was taken without re-
sistance. AS soon the the captain saw
the enormous fifteen inch guns. anyone
Of which could have blown the Pro-
greso TO bits with a single shell, he
realized the futility of pitting his puny
siX-pounders against the war machin-
cry on the dreadnoughts. Later the
Progreso was allowed TO depart.
Admiral Cradock informed Rear Ad-
miraI Badger that he would probably
go to Mexico City at once TO investi-
gate conditions there. and TO bring
Charles Hohler 70 Vera Cruz.
Friendly Mexicans who came into
town during the morning. reported
that General Mas, who fled from this
city when the Americans landed, isl
prepared 10 go 10 Paso del Macho,
near the Oaxaca state line.
Accommodating is Begun.
Accommodating of the railway lines
between this city and Mexico City has
commenced. a party Of marines under
Major Smedley Butler going out to
make an inspection of bridges A de-
tachment of these marines were left
near the big Interoceanic railway
bridge within a few miles west of the
city TO prevent il from being blown
up by rebels or guerrillas.
Two of the American officers. Lieu
tenant J. +. Lannon, of the New
Hampshire and Ensign p. A. Stevens,
of the Minnesota, are in serious condi-
ton. Both were shot through the
chest.
An operator, who talked with an
other operator in Mexico City early in
had occurred there
and that some of Huerta's friends
feared an uprising in the capital.
Crowds marched through the streets
of Mexico City demanding the resig-
nation OF Huerte.
Order Saloons Closed
Lieutenant Commander Buchanan. |
who has charge of the marines dOing
police duty. ordered the saloons
closed. as much Of the trouble arose
from drink. Guests of the Diligencia !
hotel said that the MeXicans who fred |
upon the American marines and blue !
Jackets from the roof and upper floors /
OF that structure. had first looted the !
bar room, getting themselves drunk.
Navy officers paid high tribute TO
the courage OF the American women |
who were in the city during the street |
fighting. The women gave no sign OF !
fear and some OF them insisted on eX- |
posing themselves to danger in order !
to carry water TO wounded jackies !
and marines. Others are acting as
despite the warning 10 them TO :
board refugee ships in the harbor.
The scene I'm the harbor today. "a
the sun rose out Of the haze of the /
Atlantic was an inspiring one. The
Prairie Chester San Francisco and I
Minnesota. the last named being the I
flagship OF Rear Admiral Badger. lay
at anchor in the inner harbor. while 4
ranged in a crescent behind them \
V ere the other battleships. Through /
out the night the battleships kept \
sweeping the city with their search 1
lights.