The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-23
VERA CRUZ QUIET AND PATROLLED
 BY U. $. TROOPS
fContInued From Page One)

for the occupation of all the town. A blneiacket column advanced and passed the uncompleted market place and Naval college. When they had reached the walls of the college terrific rifle fire was pourned in all directions from the roof and windows. The -oiuejackets help less to return the fire against the stone walls. scattered.
 The Prairie, Chester and San Francisco opened with their five and sX-inch guns eno shattered the walls. The bluejackets formed again and advanced against the fire, which had diminished. By 10 o'clock there was only desultory firing from the inshore side of the tower Battalions Of bluejackets had made their way along the water front to the southern end of the town and cleared several streets but the snping from houses continued at in tervals.
 The scout cruiser Chester pounded build ings on the outskirts with six-nch shells fling over the heads of the men ashore and showing almost perfect marksman- ship.
 The general movement from all the po- sitions taken yesterday began in the di- Iection of the main plaza. Marines under Lieut.. Col, Wendell C. Neville moved to the southward along parallel streets to- ward the center, while marines, com manded by Lieutenant Commander Bu- chsnan of the Florida and Lieutenant
 
 Arkansas were ordered from their posi- tions east of the center towards the plaza.
 Ships Support Movement
 The two forces swung forward with a rush for a distance of three blocks. The machine gun and rifle fire was supple mented by shell fire from the smaller guns of the Prairie and Chester. The ships guns supported the movement of clearing. the roofs to the south and east, occasionally dropping a shell few hun dred yards in advance
 Euchanans men, under direct comman nd of Lieut.. Guy W. O. Castle, moved for ward to a position one block directly east of the plaza. Other attachments oc- cIpied positions to the north and west Beth marines and blueJackets dragged light field pieces, but there was little work for them There was no organized resistance. but from the beginning of the advance a smart fire came from derenders on house. tops, which invariably drew a merciless Ire from the advancing parties. The ma chine guns sounded their tap tap in all quarters, and American sharpshooters. posted at street corners and other points O. vantage picked off at will any man who appeared to them acting suspiciously
 To Protect Lives
 Tampico, Mex April 21.--Via Gal weston, April 22.-It was understood that foreign consuls planned soon to issue orders to vessels of their re- spective nationalities, in which event no vessels would be available for the re- ception of refugees except warships. It was known that Admiral Mayo had made all preparations for protecting Americans who are ashore, but details about such plans were withheld for the time being because the admiral wished to avoid creating unnecessary alarm. Il, 1.,. ..a. feared might precipitate an attack on Americans, and if an outbreak should occur the Imperial hotel, which is filled with Americans. would likely be the center of attack. The hotel, how ever, could be made easily defensible It is near the river and readily ae- cessible to landing parties of marines from the Des Moines and the Chester and Dolphin. The Chester and Dolphin continued today clearing for action, with ammunition on deck, prepared to fire on Tampico or to dispatch strong forces at a moments notice.
 Rebels Re-enter DOna
 Rebels were reported this morning to have re-entered Dona, Cecilia and Ar Dol. where they advised all residents to remove to Tampico. While the con stitutionalist force is not believed to be numerically strong, it is believed the attack on Tampico might be re- newed with arrival of endorsements which were reported to be near.
 The federals continued busily strengthening the citys Qualifications There was a fight yesterday eight miles Of the city from which the fed erals retired. bringing a few wounded with them.
 American marine officers ashore in uniform here attracted much attention, but so far there has been no unpleas- ant manifestations
 Sanitary Conditions DeplOrable Sanitary conditions in Tampico are deplorable. The streets are in foul condition and no water is available ex cept such as is drawn from wells with In the city. Many of the wells have been contaminated and even this sup ply is rapidly becoming exhausted, with no prospect of resumption of opera tlons at the WaterWorks plant, which | was disabled by the rebels, who are prepared to resist any attempt to make 1 repairs Smallpox and levers are spreading. l several cases classed in the hospitals as l pernicious fever" are said to bear l striking Resemblance to yellow fever | With the approach of hot weather epi- | denies are feared Since the siege began business has | 0oen conducted almost as usual ex- Nept during the first few days when ODe rebels made determined efforts to | rush the federal entrenchments and | force entrance into the city. Although | so far there has been no serious hack of provisions, the cost of all suppIfes
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