Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1914-04-22

Vera Cruz to-day in the fighting that
followed the landing of United States
sailorsyand marines, according to in
formation received at the cable office
here.
-Four United States Marines were
killed and twenty wounded.
Washington, April 21.-Rear Ad-
miral& Fletcher has warned Gen.
Mas, the Mexican commander at
Vera Cruz, that the big guns Of the
AmeriSan fleet will be used unless he
stops his men from firing.
This was announced at the navy
department tonight at 10 O'Clock.
There are now about l 900 American
marines and bluejackets in the town.
Admiral Fletcher said his men had
fired only when they were fired upon,
so far
Vera Cruz, April 21.-Rear Admi-
raj Badger, commander in chief of
with five ships.
The American flag tonight flies
over Vera Cruz. Four Americans
were Killed and 20 wounded when
detachInent of bluejackets and ma
rines from the American fleet seized
the customs house, raised the Ameri-
can flag and skirmished with the
Mexican garrison.
Des,iltory firing was in progress
late to-day, according to a dispatch
from Rear Admiral Fletcher, receiv-
ed at &c p. m. At first the garrison
had appea ed to be withdrawing.
American Consul Canada reported
this to the State Department at 5
O'Clock, but when the American
forces reached the customs house,
the Mexicans opened with rife and
artillery fire.
The transport Prairie Immediately
3beganL Smelling the Mexican positions,
slowl8 driving them out. The Mexi-
cans ghtS from housetops and
along the streets.
The American forces have taken
possession Of the cable Office and mold
the American consulate and the part
of the city in the vicinity OF the
wharves.
Washington, April 21.-Rear Ad-
miral Fletcher's dispatch came by
cable and reached here at p. m
A hurried conference was called at
the White House. President Will
son summoned Secretaries Bryan
Garrison and Daniels. They were in
conference for an hour, emerging
serious faced.
First blood has been spilled, :"
said a White House official.
No reports had been received up
to 6 .. m Of Mexican casualties.
Secretary Bryan left the White
House for the German embassy
J., l1 Il l.
ambassador the consignment OF arms
for Huerta aboard a German mer-
chant vessel due to be landed in Vera
Cruz tonight. The capture Of the
Vera Cruz customs house was or
dered by the American government
to prevent the big shipment Of am
munition and machine guns from
getting into Huerta's hands.
Wilson Ordered Port Seized.
President Wilson ordered Rear
Admiral Fletcher to seize the Vera
Cruz customs house and prevent
Huera from getting several million
rounds OF ammunition and 200 field
guns now on German steamer
bound for that port.
The orders went out from Wash
ington early to-day when 1t became
apparent that delay in Congress was
accruing to Huerta's advantage.
The orders, officials said, left to
the admiraps discretion when and
how to act. AS there is no blockade
the American forces could not inter-
fere with the German steamer. The
orders were to seize the guns and
shells after they had landed, or TO
seize the customs house to prevent
their landing and thus keep them
from going to Mexico City.
The orders to the admiral, It was
said, conferred the broadest author
ity upon him, and directed that If
necessary he take the city of Vera
Cruz as well as the customs house
to prevent the landing OF the muni-
tions
Names OF Those Killed.
Galveston, Texas, April 21-Infor-
mationI received at the cable Office
here confirms the Washington report
that United States marines have
seized the cable Office and customs
house in Vera Cruz and that four
marines were killed and twenty
wounded.
Those killed were Coxswain Shoe
maker, Corporal Haggerty and Sea-
man Pouisett, all of the battleship
Florida. The name of the fourth
man could not be learned.
The Wounded includes: G.. l..
Leahy. Y. Schwarz, G. ID. Cameron,
j. r. Plese, seamen of the Florida;
Electrician Geisburn, Of the Florida,
and D. ID. Mcmillan, private, Second
marine regiment, from the transport
Prairie.
More Ships To Vera Cruz.
Washington. April Secretary
Daniels announced late to-day that
Rear Admiral Mayo, with his flag