The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1914-04-24
MARINES TAKE VERA CRUZ

MAklNES lAkE vEkA CkUl
First Fight In Campaign to Pun
lsh Huerta.
| A condition Of actual war between
the United States and the Huert,
government in Mexico was precipi
tated April 81, when marines ant
blueisckets were landed from th,
American feet and, after q short
sharp dght, captured the importan,
seaport city OF Vera Cruz. Foul
marines were killed aud 20 wounded
and the loss to the Mexican garrison
was estimated at 200 killed.
| The prompt work OF Admiral
Fletcher Of the American fleet In
seizing Vera Cruz prevented the
landing Of = large consignment Of
war materials from German vessel
which arrived that day. The ship
carried 5000. 900 rounds Of ammu oil.
ton, 200 rapid Ore guns and thou
sands Of rides, all consigned to
General Huerta.
The Mexican garrison retired into
the sandhills to the westward, pre-
sumably to await arrival Of reen.
forcements to resist the further
advance Of the Americans. The
plan OF the Americans is to occupy
section 0f the railroad to Mexico City.
Admiral Badger was sent to Tam.
pico to seize that port.
The direct cause Of the use Of force
against Huerta, rs recited in Presi-
dent Wilson's message to congress
was the arrest Of an unarmed boat
load Of bluejackets at Tainplco. April
9, following other repeated iudigni.
ties. Including the arrest of y marine
10 uniform sent ashore for mall, and
the holding up Of American official
telegrams. 1t was evident that
Huerta and his adherants offered
these insults In order to show con.
tempt toward this government for
not having recognized Huerta as the
president of Mexico. and President
Wilson pointed out that such insults
would continue 40 long as this govern.
ment took no steps to compel the
same respectful treatment shown to
other governments.
On April 20 aud % both houses Of
congress adopted resolutions approv-
ing the use by the president OF .the
armed forces Of the United States to
enforce his demands for uneQuivocal
amends for the affronts and indlgni.
ties committed against the United
States" in Mexico. Congress voted
an appropriation Of fifty million
dollars to be expended by the presi.
dent, and passed the volunteer army
bill.
The president, 10 his message to
congress, emphasizes the fact that
this government has none but the
most friendly feeling toward the
Mexican people and has no desire To
make war against them, and that the
present use Of force is directed only
against General Huerta and his ad.
herants for their repeated affronts
and disrespectful attitude toward the
United States.
The possibility Of developments
involving this country 10 protracted
war with Mexico is causing the pres
ent trouble to be given great I'M
portance 10 the daily papers aud BY
the people 10 general, and offers from
the militia forces Of the various
states and others wishing to volun.
teer their services are pouring In to
the government. Especial interest
Is being manifested by military
organizations and some of the state
troops have already received proyls-
ional orders to be ready to move at
short notice.
The same spirit Is shown 10 Idaho.
Governor Haines last Sunday wired
the war department. rendering the
services Of the Idaho troops, and on
Monday Colonel Edelblute OF Rath-
drum. commander OF the 2nd Infan
try, sent telegram Of like purport
to the governor on behalf OF the
officers and men of the regiment.
Colonel EdelbIute has received numer.
Gus kilograms, some from applicants
desiring to oil any vacancies that
exist 10 the companies. One asks
for the captaincy of Company E.
The colonel states that 10 the
event the national guard is called