The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-04-24

marines. We're killed by the fire of the
Mexican soldiers and twenty fell
wounded. The Mexican loss is not
known. but it is believed to be heavy,
perhaps zoo.
The water front. the customs house
and all important piers. including
those under the terminal works from
which extend the railroads TO the cap
'ital, have been occupied. All the ter.
ritory around the American consulate
is strongly patrolled and detachments
hold other sections of the city.
Rear Admiral Fletcher warned the
federal commander that he will use
the big gins of the American feet IL
the federal forces do not stop firing.
Offer Stubborn Resistance.
The Mexican commander, General
Gustavo Mas, ofgered a stubborn re.
sistance to the Americans, and for
many hours there was fighting in the
streets. IL was later reported that
the main body OF the federal garrison
was in retreat to the westward.
Rear Admiral Fletcher, in command
of the United States warships, pre-
faced his occupation of the port by a
demand. through the American consul,
w. w. Canada, for its surrender. Gen.
eral Mas promptly declined to &C
cede 10 this demand and shortly after
wards ten whaleboats were sent of
from the side of the transport Prairie
loaded with marines.
These boats effected a landing in
the neighborhood of the customs
house and few minutes later Captain
William X. Rush of the battleship
Florida. who was In command of the
operations ashore, brought his flag in.
r. American Force Small.
Captain Rush's men already had
taken their positions. They numbered
$50 bluejackets from the Florida, 800
marines from the Prairie and SO ma
rines from the Florida. Later these
were augmented by detachment from
the Utah. se.s. g.
The coming of the American forces
was not heralded by any great excite,
ment, but small crowds gathered to
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
consulate, while still others were de-
ployed along the approaches to the
Central plaza, where General Mas
had concentrated his men.
These maneuvers were effected
without opposition, but suddenly
General Mas challenged the advance
with the first shots-a volley fired
from point three blocks from the
marines and two blocks south of the
main plaza. The marines replied i'm
mediately, but the action ceased in a
moment.
Another Exchange of Shots.
There was lull for ten minutes
and then another brief exchange
from the vest end OF Montesinos
street, where a federal outpost was
stationed.
The firing became general and the
guns of the transport Prairie went in
toyaction.
Prior to this a detachment of blue
jackets from the Utah, holding the
ground between the consulate and
the water 'ront, opened with two OF
their three-inch guns. The first shots
from these pieces were directed
against an ancient tower which once
served as lighthouse. This was oc.
cupied by Mexican sharpshooters.
Lieutenant Commander Buchanan
OF the Florida ordered that 1t be de.
stroyed. Five shots brought down the
old Besito Juarez tower.
The women of the American colony
in Vera Cruz already had been placed
aboard the chartered steamers Es.
peranza and Mexico, but the foreign
colony, especially the American sec
ton, was augmented greatly when
three trainloads arrived from the cap
ital Some OF these remained ashore,
but many were taken aboard the
steamers.
Refugees Escape Injury.
None of the refugees was injured.
The postoffice, government telegraph
Office asd the cable Office were the
first buildings occupied after the Gus
toms house. "A squad of marines was
placed in charge of the cable Office.
The telegraph wires were found in
tact asd enough Mexican operators
were retained to man the lines to
Mexico City.
After General Mas had been driven
from his position In Central plaza ID {,
Americans found themselves the OBJ
jeet of fusillades from the tops Of
houses. where small groups of soldiers
and citizens had taken up positions.
IL was learned that the greater part
Of those engaged in this resistance
were civilians, who refused to accept
the American occupation passively.
They obtained guns and stationed
themselves at points of vantage and