The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-04-24
WAR WITH MEXICO
Congress Gives Support to
the President.
CUSTOM HOUSE CAPTURED.
Fighting in the Streets Of Vera
Cruz Marines Killed
and Wounded.

On Tuesday, April 2Ist, the Amer
leans landed marines in Vera Cruz,
Mexico, and captured the custom house,
postoffice, telegraph Office and other pub
lie buildings. Four Americans were
killed and twenty wounded. Two hun
dred Mexicans were killed and many
wounded.
Washington. April 23.-The Navy De
partmett officially stated this morning
that Charge d'Afaires O'Shaugnessy
was given his passports at 8 80 p. M, on
Wednesday afternoon. He will leave
Mexico City Thursday or Friday morn
ing. He sent the message personally,
which indicates that he is not in danger,
at the present moment.
Vera Cruz, April 23.-The total mum
Der OF Americans killed SO far in the
fighting In Mexico is twelve. Fifty are
reported TO have been wounded.
Mexico City, it is known, is COM
pletely isolated from the rest of the
world.
Frenzied efforts on the part of the
United States Government, as well as
thousands of Americans having personal
interests d in the affairs of Mexico CITY,
have been made to reach the Mexican
capital by telegraph, but without results.
1t is said that forty hours has elapsed
since this government has received an
uncensored dispatch from Mexico City.
Employees of the telegraph and cable
companies have been trying to rig up
roundabout way of reaching Mexico City
from Vera Cruz. At late hour today
all such efforts have been in vain.
Late dispatches from Vera Cruz state
the American forces are in complete con-
troll of the city and that all firing has
ceased.
During hot fighting in the street four
| American marines were wounded and the
Mexican dead will number over 200,
Scores of citizens are being marched to
the waterfront, according to dispatches.
| Already 800 citizens have been arrested
and distributed on the different battle
ships in the harbor for shooting from the
housetops. The big ships were blacken-
| ed by powder fired in the first engage
ment in which the ships have been play
ing part.
The cruiser Chester destroyed block
! OF buildings in which the French consul
| late was located. In this block several
| Mexicans had taken advantage of the
! protection of the French flag TO do pot
| shooting at American marines. They
were soon put to flight aud advancing
Americans took possession of all strategic
points. Many refugees have been taken
on board the Prairie
MANY fell before the rifles and machine
| guns OF the marines.
Under cover of guns a force of 5000
marines and bluejackets landed at eight
O'Clock this morning by Admiral Fetch
er and by I O'Clock were in possession Of
part OF the city. At II. 80 they were re
inforced by 1000 marines from Admiral
| Badgers newly arrived ships.
An Intellectual defense was offered by
the Federal garrison under General
Mass but their guns were silenced after
two hours bombardmeit.
The Federal barracks near the center
of the city was deserted by its garrison
shortly after the Smelling began.
| The shells wrecked most Of the larger
buildings and towers which in the early
hours were filleQ with Mexican sharp
! shooters.
There is strong force of marines about
! the Mexican consulate to guard scores of
refugees who are detained until the bonn
bardment ceases.
TampiCo, April 22.-Notice was posted
here this morning in Consul Clarence
! Killers office, that Mexico had refused
all demands to salute the flag and that
| President Wilson had referred the matter
to Congress. The news produced pro-
found sensation in the American colony
The gravity of situation here was in
creased by the issuance of an order today
for all American merchant vessels to
leave the wharves and to lie outside un.
til further notice.
Grave fears are felt here for the safety
of Americans, including many women
and children IN oil camps at Pepila, and
other river points and interior camps.
All these Americans are said to be I'M
armed and defenseless against attacks of
either Federals or insurgents. Many oil
companies are directing their employees
TO return to Tampico
FL Paso. Texas, April 22.-In mes.
sage to President Wilson tonight General
Carranza expressed the opinion that the
action of the American fleet in landing
MARINES at Vera Cruz was not justified
Notwithstanding it was done in reprisal of
the action of one man-Huerta. Huerta
represents the Mexican people. and
therefore the act Of SEEING a Mexican
port was an injustice to the people of the
Mexican republic, according to Carranza.
Washington, April 23.-Congress has
officially justified" the administration
course in dealing with Mexico.
The authority exercised by President
Wilson through the Navy Department
in taking the port of Vera Cruz to pre-
vent heavy shipment of arms and am
munition from reaching Huerta has been
backed up by the Legislative branch Of
the government.
The President at 2.o5 O'Clock this after
noon. read, approved and signed the
engrossed record of Congress empower
ing him.to use the armed forces of the
United States to enforce his demands for
unequivocal demands for affronts and in
dignities against the United States