The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-01
Fletcher Issues Orders

l
 Later in the day an order was issued l by Rear Admiral Fletcher. who had been in command of operations ashore since the landing of the American l forces The orders covered the whole of the events since the taking of the city and read as follows:
 Headquarters of the United States i Naval Forces, on Shore, Vera Cruz l Mex, April 30, 1914. 1 Division Order.
 | The naval forces occupying the city of Vera Cruz will at 2 D. m, April 30. | 1914. withdraw and turn the command of the city over to the United States army.
 "The navy landed at Ii o'clock a. m, April 21, 1914 From shortly after their landing our men were under an almost continual fire until S30 o'clock on the morning of the 22d.
 l At that time, when all organized au- thority in the city of Vera Cruz had ceased to exist, the order was given to advance through the city The brigade under the command of Capt W. R. Rush of the United States navy had to fight it's way from street | to street against a stubborn rifle fire | from housetops, windows, steeples and 1 from places of .concealment in all parts of the city. At II o'clock a. m. the city was in possession of the brigade. rs' | fv, he morning after being under, Ere all nieht was deserving of ths,s' highest praise and the accurate ssaia timely gun fire of inc Chester. Tne Prairie and the San Fran ',[9- in the harbor showed effective CO., Foperation ashore and ahoat. .sThe praiseworthy conduct of our mer in establishing and maintaining good or der and restoring confidence among the
 inhabitants of the city after the fighting az.t cipline and resourcefuness of the men oi the navy and the marine corps. Occupied By Navy Tn nine days work the city of Vera
 Cruz was occupied by the navy. lawless-
 less and disorder were suppressed, n.0Ot
 firearms were taken possession of and a
 line of defense established around the
 city against an army threatening to re-
 capture it.
 Business has been resumed and normal
 conditions restored The municipal gov. ernment of the city has been re-estab- lished under the control of it's people and a civil government formed to carry out the laws of the state and of the federal government.
 Il All preparations were made during this time for the landing of the army anC for the relief and withdrawal of oul forces. The officers and men of the naval forces deserve the highest commenda- ton for having done this work com
 pletely and having done it well.
 ''The highest honor is due to those who gave their lives in the service of their country.
 !, Appreciates Conduct , "In withdrawing my command from Vera Cruz wish to extend to the officers and men who took part in its occupation my deepest appreciation of their gallant ] conduct and support. Tn turning our work over to the army , the navy extends its best wishes and good
 will.
 FRANK F. FLETCHER. , Rear Admiral United States Navy Com.
 mander United States Naval Forces or l Shore"
 The first serious case to come before the provost marshal. Commander D. F
 Sellers of the Arkansas. indicated ths
 efficacy of the naval service. A thiei
 was apprehended and lodged in jail within
 d few hours of the commission of his
 crime of blackmal This was brought
 about by the prompt action of Comman der Sellers himself
 During the night of April 27, mar giving the name of J. R. Mulcahy, wht asserted that he was an American re , rcrter. told the provost marshal that h,
 had information of the whereabouts of {