The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-04-24
FIRST Blood OF
WAR IS SPILLED
-Four Americans Killed and 20
Wounded at Vera Cruz.
U. S. MARINES TAKE The CITY

Notwithstanding Prairie Returns
Fire of Assailants.
Washington, April 22.-American
marines and blue jackets are now in
possession of Vera Cruz, the principal
port of Mexico. The seizure of the
city cost the Americans four lives and
twenty wounded while the Mexican
losses have been estimated unofficially
as between one and two hundred men.
The first shedding of blood came
when the Mexicans under General
Mas opened fire on the American
landing force from Admiral Fletcher's
feet. With the firing of these shots,
the last hope of avoiding an open
declaration Of war disappeared. The
United States win now be forced to
move against Mexico with all the
forces of its tremendous military and
naval power. No attempt was made
here to conceal the tremendous con
sequences ttGt are likely to follow
from the days developments. 1t
means the expenditure of millions OF
dollars and the risking of thousands
G. lives.
While no formal action has been
taken by the president, it is believed
that Charge OShaughnessy will be i'm
mediately recalled from Mexico City
aud the Mexican charge at Washing
ton, Senior Algara, will be given hiA
passports without delay.
The first news Of the fighting at
Vera Cruz and the seizure of the city
comes IN this report from Admiral
Fletcher received at the navy depart
Dent at o'clock in the evening:
TUESDAY in face of approaching
norther, landed marines and sailors
from Utah, Florida and Prairie and
seized custom house. Mexican forces
did not oppose landing but opened
fire with rifles and artillery after QUIZ
seizure Of custom house. Prairie she'll
Ing MeXicans out of their positions
Desultory firing from house tops ana
streets. Hold custom house and sec
ton Of city in vicinity Of wharves and
consulate. Casualties four dead and
twenty WOundeu.
The American casualties and the
men wounded in the first engagement
were as follows:
The dead: Coxswain Shoemaker
Corporal Haggerty, marine corps;
Seaman Pouissett.
The wounded: J. F. Please, c. L
Leahey, G. d. Cameron, U. Schwartz
ID. l.. CacMillan, private marines, and
Geisburne OF Battleship
Mexico City, Mex, April 22.-Gen.
eral Aureliano Banquet, minister OF
war for Mexico, asked whether the re-
serves would be called to the colors
replied:
SIN due time, II it should be neces. |
sary, they will be called, as will every
citizen in Mexico
All Ships to Vera Cruz.
Washington, April 22.-Secretary
Daniels announced that Rear Admiral |
Mayo with his flagship Connecticut
and most of the other vessels under |
his command at Tampico had steamed |
for Vera Cruz. All the vessels OF |
Real Admiral aBdgers fleet had been
ordered to go directly to Vera Cruz. |
Aviators Off to Vera Cruz.
Pensacola, Fla, April 22.-The bat. |
lleship Mississippi, with 600 marines
aboard, sailed for Vera Cruz. The war. |
ship also carried four aviators with |
their hydroaeroplanes. The tender
Dixie departed for the Mexican port. |
Instruct German Consul.
Juarez. Mexico, April 22.-Max Web |
Pr, German consul here, was instruct |
ed to get German subjects out of his
district in Mexico.
Gen. Bailey to Lead Advance. i
Washington, April 22.-Brigadier
General Charles Bailey will command
the first body of troops, IL any are
sent to Mexico. He will leave here
Tor Texas City within day of two
70 organize an expedition.
Major General Wood, who has re.
inquished his office as chief of staff,
will be in supreme command of ali
he troops and will follow General
Bailey within few days, IL action
,omes.
Laredo, Tex, April 22.-It is report
ID authoritatively that two federal Of
icers from the Nuevo Laredo garrt
on, bearing a flag of truce. went
Town the river to parley with rebel
ulcers. Coalition of rebel and fed
erals against the United States was
aid to be their object.
Professor Hyde UphoIds Lodge.
Chicago, April 22.-Charles Chenev|
1yde, professor Of international law
t Northwestern university and author
# brochure on the international af
airs Of Mexico, declares that the sen.
tie in Withholding its approval of the
esolution in support OF President
plan acted with wisdom. He
aid that the preamble drawn by Sen.
tor Lodge was much sounder and
etter calculated to put the United
tates in position that would not be
ensured by historians.