Norwich bulletin., 1914-04-22

Washington, April 21.-The Ameri- san flag tonight flies over Vera Cruz. Four Americans were killed and twen- ty wounded when a. detachment of bluejackets and marines from the American fleet seized the customs house. raised the American flag and skirmished at the Mexican garrison.
 Desultory firing was in progress late today. according to despatch from Rear Admiral Fletcher, received at 6 p. m. At first the garrison had ap- peared to be withdrawing. American Consul Canada. reported this to the state department at five o'clock, but when the American forces reached the customs house, the MeXicans opened with rife and artillery fire.
 The transport Prairie immediately began shelling the Mexican positions, slowly driving them out. The Mex jeans fought from the housetops and along the streets.
 The American forces have taken pos- session of the cable office and hold the American consulate and the section Of the city in the vicinity of the wharves. Rear Admiral FIetcher's despatch came by cable and reached here at D. m
 4 hurried conference was called at the White House, President Wilson summoned Secretaries Bryan Garrison and Daniels. They were in conference for an hour, emerging semia us -faced
 
 one of the officials at the White House. No reports had been received ID to ?. m of the Mexican casualties.
 Secretary Bryan left the White House for the German embassy where he discussed with the German anibas- sador the consignment of arms for Huerta aboard German merchant vessel due to be landed in Vera Cruz tonight The capture Of the customs house at Vera Cruz was ordered by HkA the big shipment of ammunition and machine guns ire zngettinG into Huer- ta's hands.
 Congress had discussed al1 day the resolution which would give approval to the presidents purpose to use the army and navy in the Mexican situa- ton The senate had recessed until D. m while the h0Ilse adjourned un- if tomorrow at 10 o'clock. Senators had agreed to take final setiea some time tonight
 Consul Canada's report follows:
 Marines and bluejackets landed at 1l5a this morning, immediately talk ing possession of cable office. post of- foe telegraph of1ce and customs house, also railroad terminals and yards with rolling stock. Netwith- standing firing from housstops we are masters of the situation so far with out use of heavy guns Our men are simply defending themselves Some re- sistance from naval vessels soon si- fenced by guns on Prairie. At this time reported four of our men killed and twenty wounded American news paper men and several other Amer jeans in consulate. Several Ameri- cans including some women who re- fused to go on 1board refugee ships are now maroone6 in hotels within firing line Trains from Mexico City did not arrive
 Naval Fsree Now at Vera Cruz.
 The navy department announced that the United States forces in Vera Cruz and vicinity consisted of the bat teships Florida, Utah, Connecticut and Minnesota; cruisers San Francis co and Chester: gpnboat Dolphin: transports Prairie and Hancock; hos pithl ship Seisce and collier Cyclops, ss we'l as she chartered steamers Es- peranzs and Mexico.
 This concentration of forces. total ling about 1000 sailors and nearly 20o1 marines, is made up of Rear Ad- niysI Mayo's ships which had been ordered from Tampico late yesterday and the ships which Rear Admiral 1teAcher has had at Vera Cruz for many weeks ships of the Atlantic feet reached Vera Cruz tonight, having. been di- verted from Tampfco, where only the cruiser Des Moines remains.
 Ssnsatienal Rumors.
 The air has been filled with all sorts f sensational r,urnors during the day Omcials were nervously expectant. The state department advices which came late in the day made no mention o1 fighting but spoke of an evacuation by the federal garrison. Rear Ad- miral Fletcher's report came in quick time from Vera Cruz, however, de- scribing briefly what had taken place The cabinet secretaries who discuss. ed F7etcher's repoSt with President Wilson for nearly Van hour, showed by their demeanor that the loss o1 life and bloodshed had affected then greatly.
 Information which came from sources close to the cabinet council was to the effect that the president exercised self-restraint and calmly de- termined that with the seizure of Vera Cruz and the prevention of shipments of arms from reaching Huerta, further steps would not be taken by the American government for the present The future depends gon action by tho Euerta authorities. Secretary Garrf- son announced emphatically that nc troops movements had been ordered
 Ofacials did not believe that ffuer- ts would take any offensive steps, btls If he does the Amertean marines and bIHe5ac4xets which will be assernbl ed in Vera Cruz within forty-e eight hours number about Ii, ,6eB. Estimates hero place the Huerts forces al Mexico City at about three to four thousand men and the belief of army and navy off cers is that the American forces if pecessary would be able to reach the Mexican capital without serious dim eult1.