Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1914-04-24
VERA CRUZ TAKEN BY
u. S. NAVAL FORCE
MARINES MAKE LANDING
HUERTA'S TROOPS DISPUTE
RIGHT OF ENTRANCE BUT ARE
COMPELLED TO RETIRE.

Vera Cruz Tuesday night was in the
hands of forces from the United States
warships, but the occupation of the
port was not accomplished without
loss of American lives
Four Americans, bluejackets and
marines, were killed by the fire of the
Mexican soldiers, and 20 fell wound
ed. 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 extend the railroads to the cap
ital. have been occupied. All the ter
ritory around the American consulate
is strongly patrolled and detachments
hold other sections of the city.
Offered Stubborn Resistance.
The Mexican commander General
Gustavo Mas, offered a stubborn re-
sistance, and for many hours there
was fighting in the streets. Towards
nightfall it was reported that the main
body Of the federal garrison was in
retreat to the westward.
Rear Admiral Fletcher in command
of the United States warships, pre-
faced his occupation of the port by
a demand, through the American con-
sui, w. w. Canada, for its surrender
General Mas promptly declined to
accede to this demand and shortly af
terward 10 whaleboats were sent off
from the side of the transport Prairie,
loaded with marines. These boats eff
fected landing in the neighborhood
of the customs house before noon, and
a few minutes later Captain William
r. Rush of the battleship Florida, who
was in command of the operations
ashore, brought his flag in.
Captain Rushs men had already
taken up their positions. They num-
bered $50 bluejackets from the Flor
ida, 800 marines from the Prairie and
65 marines from the Florida Later
these were augmented by a detach
ment from the Utah.
Marines March Through Street.
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 Cen
trail plaza in which General Mas had
concentrated his men.
These maneuvers were effected
without opposition, but suddenly Gen
eral Mas challenged the advance
with the first shots-a volley fired
from a point three blocks from the
marines and two blocks south of the
main plaza The marines replied i'm
mediately, but the action ceased in a
moment There was a lull for 10
minutes and then another brief ex-
change from the west end of Monte
sinos street, where a federal outpost
was stationed.
Transports Guns Busy. i
At 1890 the firing became general
and at 1 o'clock the guns of the
transport Prairie went into action.
Prior to this detachment of blue
Jackets from the Utah, holding the
ground between the consulate and the
water front, opened fire with two of
their three-inch guns. The first shots
from these pieces were directed
against an ancient tower which once
served as light house. This was oc-
cupied by Mexican sharpshooters.
Lieutenant Commander Buchanan
of the Florida ordered that it be de-
stroyed. Five shots brought the old
Benito Jurez tower down.
The women of the American colony
In Vera Cruz had already been placed
abroad the chartered steamers Esper-
anza and Mexico, but the foreign col
3ny, especially the American section,
was greatly augmented this morning
when three train loads arrived from
he capital. Some of these remained
ashore. but many were taken abroad
he steamers. So far as can be
earned none of the refugees was in
ured.
Capture Telegraph Office.
The postofice, government tele-
,raph office and cable Office were
he first buildings occupied after the
customs house. A squad of marines
vas placed in charge of the cable Of
ice. The telegraph wires were found
intact, enough Mexican operators were
etained to man the lines to Mexico
,ity
After General Mas had been driven
rom his position in Central plaza the
americans found themselves the OBJ
ect of fusillades from the tops of
louses. where small groups of soldiers
nd citizens had taken up positions.
I was learned only Tuesday night
hat the greater part of those engaged
n this resistance were civilians who ,
efused to accept the American occu-
ation passively They obtained guns
md stationed themselves at points
f vantage and did much to provoke
he action.
To Prevent Mexican Attack. /
Lieutenant Colonel Wendell C. Ne i
lille commanded the marines from t
he Prairie and Major Reid and I
berkeley and Captains Hughes. Hill 5
nd Dyer along the line. Every pre- t
aution is being taken to prevent a ! t
Iexican attack and the lines have s