The central record., 1914-04-23
DEATH
ATHEISTS FIRSTELANDING
OF AMERICAN BLUEJACKETS
On Mexican Soil.

The controversy between the Pre-
visional Governor of Mexico, Gen.
Huerta, and the United States, has
eliminated in the landing of American
Bluejackets at Vera Cruz. which was
attended by blcodshed and loss of life.
Rear Admiral Fletcher took Vera Cruz
on Tuesday afternoon, his occupation
of this port met with stubborn resist
ance, the Mexican soldiers opening fire
on the American soldiers from house
tops and any available cover. The
waterfront, the customhouse and all
important piers, including the railroad
yards and te rminals, were seized thus
cutting off egress or ingress to and
from the interior. The occupation of
these points Were prefaced by ademand
through Consul Canada to Gen. Mas
in charge of the Mexican troops that
he surrender, this he declined to do,
when ten whaleboats loaded with blue
jackets were sent from the Prairie,
these were followed by Capt. William
r, Rush from the Florida, who brought
in his flag and commanded the forces
ashore. Capt. Rush had under him 15(
bluejackets from the Florida. 800, ma.
| rineS from the Prairie and 65 marines
from the Florida, these were augment.
ed by detachment from the Utah
These were scattered about at point:
OF vantage and at first met with NJ
resistance, but suddenly their approach
was challenged with a volley from the
main plaza, this was followed by de-
sultory firing for a short while, and al
1890 the firing became general and al
l O'Clock the guns of the big transport
the Prairie went into action. The
Americans were under instructions tc
shoot only in self defense. After the
first engagement it was found that L
U. S. marines had been killed and sc
wounded and it is estimated that the
Mexican losses will reach to 200. The
firing continued in desultory manner
as late as 10 o'clock p. m. atwhich time
Admiral Fletcher warned the fedora
commander that if it did not cease tn,
city would be bombarded by the big
guns of the ships in the harbor.
The landing at Vera Cruz was eff
fected little sooner than had been in
tended because of the fact that Ger
man vessel was in the harbor ladel
with arms and ammunition for Huerta
which our forces wished to prevent be
ing unloaded or reaching a mooring a
the harbOr.
The occupation of Vera Cruz follow
ed the refusal of Gen. Huerta to max
amends to this country by saluting tn
flag for the arrest of American blu
jackets who had landed at Tampico fo
supplies.
President Wilson deeming the oc
cation very urgent did not wait tn
action of the Senate giving approve
of his acts,
Later advices state that the bonn
bardment of the city of Vera Cruz ha
begun. Huerta has called his minister
about him, and has signified his inten
ton not to surrender. Grave fears ar
entertained for the safety of American
in the interior, and this fear is intensi
fled by the report that no trains ar
arriving at Vera Cruz.
Gen. Huerta is trying to involve tn
revolutlonists in Mexico in the Econ
troversy with the United States, seek
ing to unite the federal and rebe
forces to make common cause agains
this country, but reports from thos
high in authority among the rebel
state under no circumstances will tn
revolutionists make cause with Huerts