New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1914-04-25

pened to be i'll command, to ash
if he would surrender. it wa:
learned that unless the MeXican>
Yielded Captain Rush had his
choice of continuing the fghtlne
under the tactics he was using o.
charging all positions or of call
ing on the warships for a bonn
bardment.
Captain Rush recognized thai
the tactics Of the Mexlcans NIGH
leave the house top fighters II
their position indefinitely ant
that it was not impossible thai
those who were shipping from tn,
roofs might be reinforced durine
the night,
The messenger was told to re
mind General Mas that Will,
there were ashore at that TINS
only a few more than 1000 mcl
there would be available for thu
American forces by morning some
10000. 1t was left to Genera
Mas to draw his own differences
from this message.
There was no cannon hrlnS
from the Mexican side and it Is
supposed their artillery pieces
were taken from the city early
in the day.
Bravery was shown everywhere
among the Americans. The
youngsters wearing the blueJack
cts of their vessels behaved as
well under fire as the marines
who all along the line comported
themselves like veterans.
In the earlier part of the en-
gagements small detachments OF
Americas guarding approaches
to the central part Of the city
stood without fine hing while
bullets sang about their ears.
Less than half an hour after
leaving the side of the Uniteo
States transport Prairie the ma
rines had landed and the absence
of resistance at the water front
caused the curious spectators in
the street to laugh. When one
Mexican peon ran for cover. hav
ing had the temerity to shout al
the top Of his voice, "Viva Mex
ico!" loud outlaws came from
the onlookers.
But the lull was not indicative
of cmpliance. A few shots came
within a few minutes and later
n brief exchange. After another
brief interval fighting in earnest
began and an hour afterwar6
the Mexicans continued to op'
pose the Americans fiercely il
some quarters although the MAR
body apparently seemed ready tt
quit.
Most of the firing was done
by outpost parties from roofs a
various pints Of vantage. Thu
guns of the Prairie assisted thu
| landing party. Towards evening
the fighting continued, but it wal
| more of a house-to-house battle
| than an organized resistance.
Finally the Mexican soldiers
| who had not been killed, wound
ed or captured retreated west
ward.
The demand for the surrende
Of Vera Cruz was made by Real
Admiral Fletcher through Consu
| Canada at 9 o'clock in the morn
ing. The consul called Genera
Gustavo Mas, comandant Of
Vera Cruz, by telephone and pre-
sented the demands, saying
American forces were about t.
occupy and hold the town. HI
called upon him to surrender il
the name Of humanity and assis
the Americans in restoring order
General Mas replied that com
pliance was impossible and asked
the consul for a personal parley
The consul informed Genera
Mas that he had no instructions
to grant a parley and ended thu
| conversation. He then called
the jefe politico and the customs
collector by telephone and in
formed them Of the prospective
landing and asked for their co
| operation in the maintenance o.
peace. The customs collector re
ouired time and neither coult
promise assistance.