The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-13
CHARACTERIZATION
 OF VERA CRUZ GOES
 STEADILY FORWARD
Natives Surprised and De- lighted at Fairness and PrOgressiveness of
 ConquOrers

Vera Cruz (by mail via New Orleans). May 12.-The Americanization of Vera 1 Cruz goes steadily forward and every where there are evidences of the mani- fold abilities of the army and navy as advance guards of civilization. When the American bluejackets first landed here Admiral Fletcher was at once confronted with finding means of trans portation and communication between his outposts. On the customs house wharf there were three powerful motor trucks recently purchased in France for Huertas army and awaiting shipment to Mexico City. The ranks of the blue jackets are filled with skilled mechan- ics and artisans, and they are not lack
 ing in men proficient in motors The trucks were not assembled, so the sailors began putting the parts together and in less than a day the trucks were being driven about the city placing troops and stores.
 Nelson O'Shaughnessy, then American charge at Mexico City, had ordered an automobile shipped to Mexico City, and this, too, was pressed into service. Now since the army arrived the four cars ap-
 
 General Funston established headquar- ters he found the local telephone system worse than useless. Not only had many Of the cables been shot to pieces in the fighting but there were only two opera tors and they spoke nothing but Span- ish.
 Establishing System
 Have the signal corps establish a tele- phone system commanded the general. and at once army linemen began string
 ing wires about town connecting outposts and the important points in the city. Within two days a modern telephone ex- change was operating in Vera Cruz for official purposes.
 The light and power station had been put out of commission by the retreating federals. and the trolley line, which car- ries passengers at fares of cents Amer ican money, stopped. While the electri- cal engineers of the fleet were trying to put the dynamos and generators into working condition the bluejackets pressed into service many of the little burro carts which are the ordinary commercial transportation of Vera Cruz.
 Until the Fifth army brigade arrived with its mule trains the little burros did very good service. A mule of the Mis- souri kind, however, can do the work of six of the burros and when they SUD- planted the little beasts native Mexicans looked upon them as freaks of nature. One incident best illustrates the size of the animals used as beasts of burden here. A sailor, working one of the bur ros decided to lead 1t across street. The burro would not budge and finally in despair the brawny sailor picked up the | little animal and carried it to the oppo- site side of the street.
 Surprised and Delighted Tn natives are surprised and delighted because the Americans either purchase or rent, at good prices, everything of theirs they have used? Many of the dark old buildings which it has been found neces- sary to use as quarters for troops have been made bright and habitable by elec- tric lights, shower baths and other con- veniences installed by the soldiers them selves One of the greatest needs is an ice plant Everyone here Is swelteffng in the first few days of the tropical summer and there Is not enough ice to supply one- third the demand. During the late after noon and evening 1t Is almost impossible to get cool drink. The few cafes for tunate enough to get small supply, are doing a capacity business.