The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1914-04-22
HOW AMERICAS
MARINES TOOK
PORT OF VERA CRUZ
Wait For Mexicans to Fire First
Four U. s. Soldiers Killed.

{. Four U. 8. Soldiers Killed.
Vera Cruz, April 22.-Vera Cruz Is
in the hands of forces from the United
States warships, but its occupation
was not accomplished without loss -ol
American lives. -. 49,,
Four Americans. blue jackets and
marines, were killed by the fire of the
Mexican soldiers, and twenty fell
wounded. The Mexican loss is beliey-
ed to have been heavy.
The water front, the custom house
and all important piers, including those
under the terminal works from which
extended the railroads to the capital
have been occupied. All the territory
around the American consulate l.
strongly patrolled, and detachment
hold other sections of the city.
The Mexican commander, Gen. Gus
tavo Mas, offered a stubborn resist
ance to the American advance and for
many hours there was fighting in the
streets. Toward nightfall it was re
ported that the main body of the
Federal garrison was in retreat to the
westward. ;ts.> ta
Rear Admiral Fletcher, commanding
the United States warships, prefaced
his occupation of the port by demand
through the American consul. w. W
Canada, for it's surrender. Gen. Mas
promptly declined to accede to this de
mand. and shortly afterwards ten
whaleboats were sent off from the
side of the transport Prairie loaded
with marines.
Land Near Custom House.
These boats effected landing il
the neighborhood of the custom house
before noon, and few minutes later
Capt. William R. Rush, of the Battle
ship Florida, who was in command
of the operations ashore, brought his
flag in.
Capt. Rush's men already had taken
up their positions. They numbered
$50 bluejackets from the Florida, 1910
marines from the Florida. Later these
were augmented by detachment from
the Utah.
The coming of the American forces
was not heralded by any great excite
ment, but small crowds gathered tt
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 con
sulate, while still others were de-
ployed along the approaches to the
Plaza de la Constitution, in which Gen
Mas had concentrated his men.
Mas Fires First voIIey.
These maneuvers were effected with
out opposition, but suddenly Gen
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 Immediately, but
the action ceased in a moment. There
was a lull for ten minutes, and then
another brief exchange from the west
end of Montesinos street where a Fed
eral outpost was stationed
At 1880 o'clock the firing became
general, and at l. o'clock the guns OF
the transport Prairie went into action
10 Prior to this a detachmentcef blue
Jackets from the Utah, holding, the
ground between the consulate, and the
water front, opened with two of their
tnree-lnch guns. The first shots from
these pieces were directed against the
ancient Benito Jaurez tower, which
once served as a lighthouse. This was
occupied by Mexican sharp shooters
Lieutenant Commander Buchanan OF
the Florida ordered that it be destroy
ed. Five shots brought the old tower
down.
Women on Chartered Steamers.
The women Of the American COLONY
IN Vera Cruz had been placed aboard
the chartered steamers Espranza and
Mexico, but the foreign colony, especi.
ally the American section, was aug.
mented greatly this morning when
three trainloads arrived from the can
ital. Some of these remained ashore.
but many were taken aboard the steam
ers. So far as can be learned. no
refugees were injured.