The Washington herald., 1914-04-25
Maj Gen Wood Entire Staff Charge Mexican Seapo[

of this last named squad is about COM
| pleted.
In fact, conditions have become so sat
isfactory that Rear Admiral Fletcher ad-
dressed another proclamation 20 the peo-
pie Of the city saying that. unless they
resumed the normal course OF civil gov
ernment, he would establish a govern
ment himself.
One problem that has given the naval
authorities much worry is that OF secur-
ing a supply of good drinking water.
When the forces were landed the sailors
and marines were instructed not to drink
the public water supply for fear II had
been poisoned. An expeditionary force
left at daybreak for the public water
works to guard 1t and to make sure that
it is kept in order.
The city continued quiet throughout the
night, but the vigilant police precautions
OF the American naval authorities were
no whit relaxed. As a result of the ac-
cidental killing of a marine by sailor
sentinel the commanders issued strict or
ders to the sentries that, under no cir
cumstances must they fire upon any one
in the darkness until three challenges
had been given. Failure to obey this
rule. It was said. would result in severe
punishment.
the sand dunes southwest and north
west of the city. Trenches and rife pits
are being dug and barricades of logs and
bags filled with sand are being erected.
Several stores. which had been closed
since Tuesday afternoon. opened their
doors today and this relieved to some
extent the food shortage However many
hundreds are still In want, and even IL
the stores were open they would not be
he
Friendly Mexicans who came into town
this morning reported that Gen. Mas.
who fed the city when the Americans
landed, is preparing TO go to Paso Del
Macho, near the Oaxaca state line
Marines Guard Bridge.
Reconnoitering of the railway lines
between this city and Mexico City had
commenced. a party of marines. under !
Mai. Smedley Butler. going out to make
an inspection of the bridges. detach- |
ment OF the marines were left near the |
big interoceanic railway bridge. few |
miles west of the city. to prevent its I
destruction by EuerrillaS
Two of the wounded American officers
Lieut.. J. f. Lannon, OF the New Hamp- /
shire, and Ensign p. A Stevens, Of the !
Minnesota, are in serious condition. |
Both were shot through the chest. Only I
three of the sailors wounded in the fight /
ing are reported to be in critical condi-
ton on the hospital ship Solace. They /
are Henry Pulliam. a first-class fireman.
of the Utah: J. Peoples. a private, and
A. E. Wright an ordinary seaman. Ow-
ing to the efficient work of the hospital
corps none of the wounds became in
feCted.
Bodies Are EmbaImed.
The bodies of the killed have been
embalmed upon the hospital ship and
will be sent back to the United States
al the first opportunity.
The medical department of the fleet
today inspected the sanitary conditions
of Vera Cruz, then curtly ordered the
local health authorities to redouble their
Cruz will probably be cleaner and
healthier than it was before the Ameri-
cans occupied it. Conditions in the local
hospitals are said to be very bad.
Commander Herman o. Stickney, of the
Prairie, has been appointed commander
Of the port of Vera Cruz, and he began
the administration of the customs house
this afternoon. Mariana Ascarraga, the
Mexican collector of customs, has prom
ised to care for the business in hand
The task Of caring for the refugees
here and at other points along the coast
now offers the biggest problem. Rear
Admiral Mayo. in command of the ships
At Tampico. has chartered the Trinidad.
This ship and the collier Cyclops will be
utilized as refuge ships. The collier
Jason has been ordered to Tuxpan to
take on board the foreigners at that port
and the Nashville has been ordered to
Puerto. Mexico. the eastern terminal of
the Tehuantepec Railway
All saloons Are Closed.
At noon today there were so refugees
here, from Mexico City. and it was ex-
neCtcd that several hundred more
including Charge d'Afaires Nelson
JSha ughnessy and his family would ar
rive later. The Connecticut. with 100
refugees who were taken on board at /
fampico. is still al that port. The
British gunboat Lancaster and the French
cruiser Conde are in port.
Lieut.. Commander Buchanan. who had
charge Of the marines doing police duty.
ordered the saloons closed. as much of
he trouble arose from drink. Guests of
he Diligencia Hotel said that the Mex
cans who fired upon the American ma !
ines and bluejackets from the roof and II
upper floors of that structure had first
ooted saloon.
Women Display Courage.
Navy officers paid high tribute to the
'Ourage of the American women, who
we're here during the street fighting The