Milford chronicle., 1914-04-24


Photo by American Press Association.
General Mas challenged the advanc
of the Americans almost from the frs
and made it clear that the Mexican
do not propose to permit a peacefu
occupation.
Less than half an hour after leavin
the side of the United States transDor
Prairie the marines had landed, AM
the absence of resistance at the waite
front and the failure on the part O
the NeXicans to contest the taking o
a position somewhat in from the waite
front caused the curious spectators il
the street to laugh, and when one
Mexican peon ran for cover, having
had the temerity to shout at the toI
Of his voice "Viva Mexico!" loud guf
flaws came from the onlookers.
But the lull was not indicative OF
| compliance. A few shots came within
a few minutes and later a brief ex,
change, and the spectators, whose en-.
riosity alone brought them into the
streets, fingered, thinking it was only
a show Of resistance
But after another brief interval the
fighting began in earnest and hour af.
ter hour the Meyicans continued to op.
pose the Americans, fercely in some
quarters, although the main body ap
parently seemed ready to quit.
Most of the firing was done by out
post parties placed on roofs of houses
at various points of vantage, whose
only choice was to keep on firing or
surrender.
The guns Of the Prairie assisted the
landing party. Towards evening the
fighting continued, but it was more Of
a house-top character than a deter
mined organized resistance.
Finally the Mexican soldiers who
had not been captured, killed or
wounded retreated westward.
Mexican resistance in the presence
of such an overwhelming force can be
explained only on the ground that they
desired to save their faces by making
a show Of fighting, however futile.
War Munitions Captured.
The cargo of war munitions for the |
Federal government aboard the Ypir- /
inga was captured by the force of oc-
cupation. It consists of $50 machine
guns, 10000 rifles and $4,000, 900
rounds of ammunition.
Captain Huse, Rear Admiral Fletch.
er's chief Of staff, tried to ascertain
where General Mas is so that he
could send somebody under a flag of
truce to propose an armistice and in
form the Mexican commander that
the purpose of the landing of United
States troops had been accomplished
by the capture of the Ypiringa's
cargo.
While congress was debating the
Mexican situation, President Wilson
ordered Rear Admiral Fletcher TO
seize the Vera Cruz custom house and
prevent Huerta from getting several
million rounds of ammunition and 200
ield guns on a German steamship
'ound for that port.
As there is no blockade, the Ameri-
an forces could not interfere with the
ierman vessel. The orders were to
eize the guns and shells after tls3y
ad been landed or to seize the Gus
ON house to prevent their landing
nd thus keep them from going to
leixcO City.
The orders to the admiral. it was
aid, conferred the broadcast authority
pom him and directed that if neces.
airy he take the town Of Vera Cruz as
ell as the custom house, to prevent
re landing of the munitions.
Omclals said the admiral might act
several ways. He might wait until
le German vessel had landed her cargo
nmolested and then take the custom
Oues and the munitions, or when the
sssel comes to port he might seize
ie customs house, and if the guns
ere landed they would come into DOS.
ission of the American forces. That
e steamship might take her cargo to
me other port was a possibility of
hich the officials were cognizant.
Senator Lodge in the senate said:
I'm a situation of high seriousness
oh as now confronts congress. it is
el to remember the responsibility
the senate" he began. The power
declare war rests under the consti-
ton with the congress.
when the president lays an inter
donal controversy before congress
takes the last step that precedes
IT. continued Mr.. Lodge. "The pres.
INT might have taken further steps.
he has come to the body which
me has the power to declare war. 1
nix he has done WE'LL"