The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1914-04-23
STARS AND STRIPES ON Gus
TOM HOUSE AT VERA CRUZ,

The Mexican situation, as illumina-
ted by developments Monday at Wash
ington, took on no aspect Tuesday not
forecast by the news reports of.the pre-
ceding week. The President as FORE
shadowed, delivered his message to
Congress, which is published on page 2.
The United States flag Tuesday night
foated over Vera Cruz.
Four Americans we're killed and ~
wounded when detachment OF blue
jackets and marines from the Ameri-
can fleet seized the custom house, rails
ed the American flag and skirmished
With the Mexican garrison.
When the American forces reached
the custom house the MeNicans opened
with rifles and artillery fire.
cThe transport Prairie Immediately
began firing on the Mexican position,
slowly driving them out. The Mexi-
cans fought from the house tops and
along the streets. The American for
ces have taken possession of the cable
office and hold the American consulate
and the section of the city in the vi
cinity of the wharves.
The Mexican commander General
Gustavo Mass, offered stubborn resist
auce to the American advance and for
many hours there was fighting in the
street. Toward nightfall IT was re-
ported that the main body of the feder-
al garrison was in retreat to the west
ward.
Real Admiral Fletcher, in command
of the United States warships, preface
his occupation of the port by demand
through the American consul, w. w.
Canada for its surrender. General
Mass promptly declined to accede to
this demand and shortly afterwa,d ten
boats were sent off from the side Of the
: transport Prairie loaded with marines.
These boats effected landing in the
neighborhood of the custom house be-
fore noon and few minutes later Cap
tain william r. Rush of the battleship
Florida who was in command of the op-
erations ashore brought his flag in.
Captain Rush's men had already TAX
en- up their positions. They numbered
$50 blue jackets from the Florida, 800
marines from the Prairie and 60 mar
mess from the. Florida. Later these
were augmented by detachment from
the Utah.
1t was the first clash between forces
OF the United States and Mexico since
revolution broke out in the southern
republic in 1910 and gave the Wash
ington government Mexican problem.
Twelve Americans killed and about
fifty wounded marked the complete in
vestment at Vera Cruz at noon on We'd
nesday by the United States forces.
The number of Mexicaps killed on
Tuesday is estimated at $50. The loss
on Wednesday is not known but is
thought to he heavy.
Rear Admiral Frank +. Fletcher has
taken up his headquarters at the Ter
minal hotel. The entire city is strong
ly patrolled and quiet prevailed We'd
nesday night. Rear Admiral f. Flet-
cher is now in command of the opera
tions; while Rear Admiral Badger,
commander in chief of the Atlantic
fleet, has brought his flag into the har-
Dor ou the Minnesota.
II The United States intends to take no
: offensive steps for the present. The
|salute to the flag which Huerta refused
not he satisfactory reparation. 1t
1 understood a declaration of apology
n as we'll as a salute and a guarantee
that the rights and dignity of the Unit
ed States would be respected can alone
cause withdrawal of the American
forces,