The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-22
ACTION AT VERA CRUZ
THRILLS NAVY YARD
Officers and Men Jubilant
That Real Campaign
Has Opened.
PRACTISE IN MIMIC SIEGE
Crews Of Warships Still Here
Go Through Training for
Service in Mexico.
IN MIMIC SIEGE

Officers at the Brooklyn navy yard
were Jubilant when a Sun reporter told
them yesterday afternoon that marines
had been landed at Vera Cruz. The news
travelled rapidly through tho yard and
was soon the topic OF general CONVEX
sation. Wherever there was a chance for
talk every ono was speculating on what
would follow the first step against Huerta.
Details Of the occupation Of Vera Cruz
were sought eagerly. The men In the
wireless station were hoping that they
might pick UP q message out Of the air
that would tell them precisely what had
happened. The general opinion was that
the entire force of marines would be
landed as soon as they could be assembled
and that Mexico city would be in the
hands Of the United States within short
time.
The navy yard had more signs Of ac-
tivity yesterday than at any time recently.
except when the battleships were depart
Ing. Squads OF marines and bluejackets
were being drilled in the requirements
Of active duty and there was hustle
everywhere.
Go Through Mimic Bomba I'd ment.
Four companies Of men were landed
from the Texas in the morning and put
through man1uvres on the parade ground.
A machine gun was brought ashore later
bIlu set uD vi INC uOCk. Inc navy yar0
was theoretical Vera Cruz and the gun
crews went through all the motions OF
opening fire upon that city.
Work at getting the New York ready TO
leave on Sunday morning went on rapidly.
Freight cars were being unloadcd ard
supplies for long cruise slowed away In
the depths OF the ship. The sailors and
mechanics aboard were hustlinG around
at a great rate. A red flag at tho fore
mast showed that ammunition was being
taken on and the crew was engaged In
stretching awnings on every part Of the
deck that was available. to protect the
men from the hot sun In the south.
The New York. leaving Sunday. will 20
to Newport to take her torpedo equipment
aboard and will then steam under forced
draft to Guantanamo. II Is thought
likely that her destination will be changed
by wireless after she Is at sea and that
she will go direct to Mexico.
Chaplaia Fears Being Left.
II Is not likely that the Texas will
leave the yard for a week yet. She is
ready to 20 now. but will be kept here I'M
less there Is urgent need for her.
Father Eugene Mcdonald. a popular
Catholic chaplain In the navy. was much
excited when he called on Capt. Gleavee,
the commandant. yesterday morning. to
learn that the New York. to which he has
been assigned from the cruiser Tennessee.
is to go TO sea on Sunday. His order Of
transfer was dated May I. and II looked
as II he would be left behind. but ne got
busy on the telephone and was soon In
formed by the Bureau OF Navigation at
Washington that the order for his new
berth would be changed to date April IS
So he went away happy.
number Of young men applied to the
Waterman At the yard gate again yester-
day. asking to be enlisted. They were
sent to the nearest recruiting ONCE, which
has been doing a big business for several
days.