The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-04
FIELD PIECES
STATIONED TO.
DEFEND CITY.
OF VERA CRUZ
s0,5OO Federals on Outskirts
of City Still Source of Anx-
iety Despite Strength of u.
S. Forces.
BY THOMAS p. COATES,
Special Correspondent of the Interna
tional News Service.


Special Correspondent Of the Interna-
tional News Service.
VERA CRUZ, May ALI the field
pieces and rapid-fire guns of the Unit
ed States warships in the Vera Cruz
harbor were taken ashore today and
parked on Sanidad wharf for distri-
button to repell any attack which
might be made by the 10000 Federals
under General Gustavo Mas.
Reconnoitering parties reported to
Brigadier General Frederick Funston,
the military governor, that there are
1000 Federals at Soledad, 5000 more
at Jalapa and a force of 1,500 at Ell
Palma. Jalapa and Ell Palm are on
the Interocenic railway respectively
eighty and fifty-five miles north of
Vera Cruz.
Rear Admiral Fletcher explained
that the Decentralization of the artil-
lery was simply precautionary move.
but it strengthened the belief that the
Americans are expecting the Mexicans
to make an aggressive campaign
against the city soon.
Placed on Harbor Front.
The artillery was placed within the
lines of the Twenty-eighth regiment,
which is stationed along the harbor
front. A sailor was sent ashore with
each field piece and rapid-fire guh
for the purpose of operating it if quick
action were necessary.
General Funston came to the con-
clusion that the artillery supporting
the soldiers of the Fifth brigade was
insufficient, so he consulted with Rear
Admirals Fletcher and Badger, and it
was decided to land the light artillery
of the fleet. Orders were also issued
to the commanders of the various
American men-of-war to be ready to
land their full compliments Of fighting
men at moments notice.
With these preparations in effect, all
the American forces, both land and
sea, are under war orders, prepared for
any eventuality which may arise.
Sanitary Cooking.
If any relatives of General Funston's
soldiers feared that sickness might re-
suit from commissary conditions, such
fears might be abolished. Huge kitch-
ems have been established, where fresh
bread is baked daily, and other pro-
visions are stored in cooled, ventilated
and screened receptacles to keep them
clean and fresh. Fresh bread is dis
tributed daily to the troops stationed
in the city, but the soldiers in the out
posts have to get along with hard
tack.
The cruiser Montana, which left for
New York bearing the bodies of seven
teen sailors and marines were were
killed in the taking of the city, is
expected to arrive at her destination
Saturday, unless she encounters bad
weather.
1t is believed that the hospital ship
will be ordered into United States
waters some time this week. There
are more than one hundred sick and
wounded marines and sailors on the
Solace, and these men probably will
be transferred to the United States
where the chances of their recovery
will be strengthened.
Watch Huerta News.
Reports from Mexica City are eager
ly seized upon by all, and the first
question put to all refugees. is: What
is Huerta going to do?"
Reports from the capital this morn
ing are to the effect that Huerta re-
iterates his determination to remain
dictator and that he is continuing war
preparations under difficulties, be-
cause of lack of money
But if Huerta is for hostilities there
are incidents almost daily in and
around Vera Cruz to show that the |
Mexicans on the whole have no blood |
thirsty animosity to ward the Amer |
cans. An American army surgeon, |
who had visited one of the American |
outposts. got lost on his return to this |
city, and stumbled upon a Mexican |
outpost. The surgeon and his COM |
panions, one of whom was a photog-
rapher, were frightened, but the Mex
lean soldiers smiled pleasantly and Of |
fered cigarettes to the "enemies."
Then all posed for a picture, and the
Americans were directed as to the best
way to get back to their own lines.
Huerta to France?
A French officer left here today for
Mexico City on special train, giving
rise to a reoccurrence of the report
that Huerta has opened negotiations
for the purpose of taking refuge on
the French cruises Conde, if he de-
cides to flee.
The French consul, NJ Brouzet, re-
turned to this city and conferred to-
day with w. w. Canada, the United
States consul. A Mexican refugee re-
ported to Mr.. Canada that General
Mas has received reinforcements of
artillery and that rumor is current
he will nike fight against Vera Cruz
and lombard the city.
American outposts guarding the
waterworks at ElTejar has been
strengthened as a result of the de-
made made by Mexican Federals that
the pumping station be surrendered.
1t is likely that a cavalry patrol will
be established along the outer lines
to reinforce the outposts as Mexican
guerrillas are becoming bolder and
have now cut off all the shipments
of provisions which were formerly
brought into the city from the land
side.