The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-11-13

was very much enjoyed. The hos
pitality Of the family was indeed
genuine, and the party was very
pleasantly entertained.
Germany may have more ships
than the United States but l feel
sure that they are not nearly so
powerful as ours as fighting vessels"
said Martin Andengaard, the Man
,kato young man, who has just re-
turned to this city from his naval
service, to Free Press representa-
tive today.
Mr.. Andengaard has now had eight
years Of experience in the American
navy and has the rank OF gunner's
mate Of the second class. He expects
TO remain in Mankato about one
week and then he will go to Mime
apolis and re-enlist. He loves the life
on board the man-of-war and could
be satisfied with nothing else. He
has been serving of late on the
battleships, New Jersey.
Our battleships are floating forts"
said Mr.. Andeengaard AT the time
OF the Hudson-Fulton celebration, five
years ago. had opportunity OF going
on some OF the German battleships.
These were rated as first-class. /
am sure they are far inferior to the
American first-class battle-ships, and
were no better than what the Ameri-
cans would call fourth-class. also
saw some OF the British battleships
at that time. These were far better.
At the same time do not believe
there is any kind of battleship afioat
that would stand against the great
floating fighting machines Of Ameri-
ca. From what l saw during the
naval review l cannot help thinking
ours are the best in the world, both
in point Of arms, with their great
sixteen-inch guns, and in point Of
protecting battle-ship armor.
Nix on War Discussion.
These things cannot be discussed
when one sits down to eat a meal
in the restaurants Of the big eastern
American cities. In New York and
In Boston | saw in the restaurants
big signs with the words, Nix on
the war discussion. This place is
neutral Sometimes a fellow tries
to talk war anyhow, and then a big
burly guy grabs him and lands him
out in the street.
Il was with the American sailors
who landed at Vera Cruz on the
twenty.first of April. Our boats land
ed early in the morning, long before
daylight. There were about sixty of
us TO boat could hear the bullets
splashing in the water about US, as
our boat made for the shore.
thought nothing about getting shot
! only thought OF a bullet hitting the
boat and letting in the water, so that
the boat would sink.
"If this had happened we would
have gotten wet but would not have
drowned. The naval men are all
swimmers. II is true that some are
not swimmers when they are recuited
But they are taught to swim. They
are simply dropped into deep water.
II they swim II is all right IL they
go down they are allowed to stay
under for a while, though nobody
is ever allowed to drown. The result
Is that all of the men learn to
swim, and they do not take mucn
time about Il either.
Took Possession Of THINGS.
Our company formed as soon as
we reached the shore and then we
advanced into the city and took
possession of things. II took about
three days before the shooting at our
men by the Mexicans was all over.
There were 'snipers' on the house
tops, in church steeples and many
other places. These were all shot, as
soon as they were seen. We had a
regular man-hunt. In one church
there were twenty-seven Mexicans
shooting at us. Among them were
six priests. There was some doubt
at first whether Il was possible that
the church was being used for that
purpose, but the commanders thought
1t best to make sure. So a hunt was
made through the church and every
one OF the 'snipers' was shot.
"Just as soon as the Americans
got possession OF the city, the clean
ing up began. The city was filthy
before we came. We made the Mexi.
cans go to work and clean things up.
IL any did not care to work, they
could be made to do so by a little
poke OF the bayonet.
The people, like their city, were
very dirty. Those who had shoes
were among the well-to-do. Those of
just ordinary means went barefoot.
In fact they had very little clothes
Of any kind Grown men and women
went around with just one light gar
ment around them Children up to
ten or twelve years old wore no
clothing at all. a @r
II was In Mexico up to the thirtieth
OF April and then we were ordered
back to our ships and American
soldiers came to take our place. But
I went back afterwards at times
when we were given leaves Of alb
sence and allowed to go on shore.
Had Good Times.