Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-07
DEPICTS
VERACRUz SEIZURE
Admiral Lauds Commanders of
U. S. Cruisers in His
Official Report.
TELLS OF EACH STEP
IN OCCUPYING PORT
American Forces Move With Dis
patch and Efectiveness-Marks.
manship Is Excellent.

High commendation is paid to Com
ih1hoers Monett- Stickney and Harrison
OF the cruisers Prairie. Chester and san
francisco by Rear Admiral Fletcher IN
ms own story Of the occupation of Vera
Cruz. as told in a detailed report of the
navy's operations on the east coast of
Mexico. and made public by the Navy
Department last night.
lhese cruisers were moored inside the
Dreakwater and covered successive land
ings Of marines and bluejackets. ..Initi-
ative and clear judgment was required
on the part Of these commanding OFF,
GERS, says the report. land the results
showed in striking manner the effici-
ency OF the ships under their commands.
The report tells of Admiral Fletcher's
receipt Of the cablegram early in the
morning of April q ordering him to
seize the Vera Cruz customshouse: of
the swift descent OF marines and blue
jackets from the American warships
upon the port, and the bloody nghting
that occurred when they met with re-
sistance from the Mexican federal sol
diers and irregulars
Text Of the Report.
The report in full follows:
When the cablegram of am, April
q. to seize the custom house was re-
ceived. the following officers were in my
cabin: Capt. w. R. Rush, U. s. N, COM
manding naval brigade; Capt. H Mel
P. Huse. U. s. N, chief Of stan; Com
mander H. O. Stickney. q. s. N, COM
manding the Prairie, and Lieut. Col W.
Z. Neville. Q. s. M. c., commanding ma
rine regiment.
They had been called on board to be
informed Of the situation and to assure
me that the plans previously prepared
for the employment of the naval forces
against Vera Cruz were understood by
them, and that they were prepared to
carry them out The method Of proce-
idure adopted was to land marines from
the Prairie. Florida and Utah, and the
seaman battalion from the Florida. seize
the custom house. railway terminal and
cable offce The seaman battalion Of the
Utah was held on board awaiting news
of the Ypiranga
Commander Stickney and Lieut. Col
Neville returned TO the Prairie and nj q
am. Commander Stickney went ashore ana
personally notified the American consul
that we would land to take charge OF the
custom house. directed him to notify nj
foreign consuls and to send all foreign-
ers aboard the Ward liner Mexico, which
was at Pier No. A, and the Esperanza.
then moored In the harbor.
Non-nesistance Urged
Gen. Mas. the Mexican military com
mandant. was notified by telephone from
the consulate that we would land at once
to take charge Of the custom house, and
he was urged to offer no resistance, but TO
withdraw in order to avoid useless loss
of life and property Of the people Of Vera
Cruz. +
AT $40 am. an officer from the Pari-
RE boarded the foreign men-of-war in
the harbor, Carlos v (Spanish) and Es-
sex (British) and notified them of our In
tended action.
AN officer from the Prairie visited the
fort Of San Juan d. Ulloa, informed the
commander of the port that we would
seize the custom house, and that any
aggressive move on his part would be
Immediately followed by our opening fire
with heavy guns on the fort The COM
mander of the fort said that he under
stood the situation, but If We opened
fire. he would return 1t. He had an
armed guard of 100 regular troops, who
had charge Of the prisoners.
THE Ward liner Mexico, with foreign
ers on board, pulled away from pier
No. 4. and anchored in the outer har-
Dor. Commander Cone of the Utah, ant
er anchoring his vessel at $40 am,
came on board. Cone reported his land
ing force ready and waiting for any
service, and returned to his ship.
Ordered to Land.
'.At 1890 am. the Prairie reported,
am ready. and 1 directed Capt Rush
to land his brigade and carry out orders
70 he
Prairie at 1870 am: Land and take
pier No. 4: be prepared to cover landing
by necessary g11nflre.' At 11:4b am the
Prairie signaled: Battalion has showed
off, The landing force of the Florida
showed of at the same time and were
joined by the Panama contingent of
marines from the Utah. This made a
total force OF 7S7 officers and men. OF
whom 5O2 were marines. all under the
command of Capt Williams r. Rush.
captain of the Florida. At II 80 am. the
no evidence of any resistance thus far
At 11:45 am. signal was received from
the consolidate, Gable station o. k
and this meant that the cable station
was in possession of our forces on shore.
and that communication with Washing
ton was assured. At 11cJO am. a
signal was received from Capt. Rush on
shore that headquarters had been es-
ia bliShed at the Hotel Terminal, and
signal station set up there. At 11:55 am.
Rush signaled, Telegraph and post Office
occupied and doing business as ever.
This was followed by. Firing in town:
no casualties as yet and at 1921 p.m..
Commenced firing on shore; federals
have commenced firing on United States
troops Again at 1890 p. m. Rush signal
ed. One thousand men with machine
gums reported In this vicinity: desultory
firing heavy at intervals: hurry Utah's
troops.' I signaled Utah: Send your
battalion ashore; urgent; you may
steam in closer: at 12:41 pm. Rush re-
oorted his first casualties.
q, S. Marines Clear Streets.
Immediately on landing the marine
regiment, under Lieut. Col. Neville. ad-
yanced up Gale de Montesines. seizing
cable office and detaching one company,
to seize the power plant. north OF the
terminal station, and to cover approaches
from the westward along railroad tracks.
rhe head of the marine column had ad
RANGED to Avenfda Bravo. when. at 11:5t
m. they were fired into from all direc-
ions. The marines Colt automatic guns
vent into action at Independencia. Cinco
lie Mayo Cortes, Hfdalgo and Bravo and
cleared these streets immediately. The
men took positions in front Of ware
houses. lining the north side OF Hem
.esines, and fired at the enemy, who had
the housetops. windows and
:owers ON the opposite side Of the street.
rhe marine regiment was then orderet