East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-04-23
OFFICIALS At VERA CRUZ
REFUSE TO COOPERATE N
kEEP|NG ORDER IN CITY
FLETCHER SERVES NOTICE ON
MAYOR But GETS NO
RESPONSE.
Six Americans Killed In Yesterdays
Skirmlsh With Mexicans, the Lat
ter Being Hidden on House Tops
smaller Guns of Fleet Used TO De-
mOlish Their Positions.

VERA CRUZ, April 23.-Six Amer
leans killed and. about 80 wounded
marked the complet investment OF
Vera Cruz by the United States forces.
Rear Admiral Fletcher sent a note
to the local officials, calling on them
to cooperate with the American Off
GERS in the restoration of order by
calling off sharpshooters and by re-
suming the local government, but 1t
could not be delivered.
Julio Franco, the Mexican chosen by
American Consul Canada to be tho
bearer of the warning. was unable to
communicate with any Of the federal
officials and only the mayor. Roberto
Diaz, could be found.
When Franco tried to communicate
with the mayor admission was refused
him by Mclean guards stationed at
him by Mexican guards stationed at
the roof Of adjoining buildings in tho
court of the Diaz residence, but he
did not succeed in seeing the mayor
Senior Diaz refused to leave his bed
room, so Consul Canada's messenger
shouted the contents OF Rear-Admiral
Fletchers note to the Mayor and per-
sonally appealed to him to yield In
order to save the city from bonn
hardment by the American ships, re-
minding him OF the grave risk TO
families of the Mexicans and others
in the city.
General Movement Ordered.
Rear-Admiral Fletcher at $50
o'clock yesterday morning ordered
general movement for the occupation
of all the town. A column of blue
jackets advanced and passed the un-
completed market place and naval
college. When they had reached tho
walls of the college terrific rifle
fire was poured in all directions
from the roof and the windows. The
| bluejackets were helpless to return
the fire against the stone walls and
scattered.
| The Prairie, Chester and San Fran
cisco opened with their five and six
| inch guns and shattered the walls.
The bluejackets reformed and advance
ed against the fire, which had di-
minished greatly.
| BY 10 o'clock there was only des-
ultory firing from the inshore side
of the tower. Battalions OF bluejack-
cts had made their way along the
waterfront to the southern end OF the
| town and cleared several streets. but
the sniping from houses continued at
| Intervals.
Cruiser shows Good Workmanship.
| The scout cruiser Chester pounded
buildings on the outsgirts with six
inch shells. firing over the heads of
the men ashore and showing almost
perfect Workmanship.
| Admiral Fletcher's proclamation to
the mayor, chief OF police and citizens
Of Vera Cruz said:
"It has become necessary for the
naval forces of the United States of
America now at Vera Cruz to land and
assume military control of the GUS
toms wharves Of Vera Cruz. Your CO.
| operation Is required to preserve order
and prevent loss OF life.
1T is not the intention Of the Uni
ted States Naval forces to interfere
with the administration Of the civil af-
fairs of Vera Cruz. more than is me-
cessary for the purpose of maintain
ing a condition of law and order and
enforce such canitary conditions as
are needed to meet military require
ment.
'It Is desired that the civil Off
cials of Vera Cruz shall continue in
the peaceful pursuits Of their occu-
pations Under these conditions, full
protection will be given to the city by
the United States naval forces.
I 1T is enjoined on all inhabitants
and property owners to prevent firing
by individuals from the shelter Of their
houses on United States forces, or on
any one else. Such firing by irregu-
lars not members of an organized
military force is contrary to the laws
of war; II persisted in. It will call for
severe measures.
"F F.. FLETCHER,
"Rear-Admiral. u. s. N, Commander
I Detached Squadron. United States
Atlantic Fleet"