Norwich bulletin., 1914-05-01

Vera Cruz. April 30.-The task of guarding the city of Vera Cruz and It's environs was taken over from the navy today by Brigadier General Fred erick Funston and the Fifth Infantry brigade of the United States army.
 While martial law still continues in force, the actual municipal govern ment is being conducted by Robert J.. Kerr, the American civil governor. who has enlisted the aid of Mexican off, ciais to act under his superintendence and in accordance with Mexican laws.
 After a morning enlivened by the marching to and fro of large bodies of American soldiers, sailors and ma somewhat sleepy life, made more gay in the evening by the outdoor dinner parties at the numerous cafes and res- taurants, accompanied by music and sometimes by dancing.
 The American troops began their Administration from the transports early in the morning. Once on shore they were lined up along the docks and la the railroad yards and before noon all had marched to the posts assigned to them in various parts of the city and it's outlying suburbs.
 Marvel at Precision of Soldiers
 As the various attachments swung into the streets, with their bands play ing martial airs and their flags flying, the natives appeared on their balconies or came out onto the sidewalks and gazed with undisguised wonder at the people seemed to marvel at the pre- cision of the American soldiers move ments and at the sturdy appearance of the men in the ranks.
 Many American civilians who had been taking their breakfast outdoors. left their tables and watched with pride the passing of the newly arrived troops, ct the same time cheering and way ing hats and handkerchiefs.
 Shortly after the last of the troops had passed through the central streets of the city Brigadier General Funston, with several aides. drove by in a caT-. riage and was greeted with an out : burst of ringing applause.
 When the men had taken up their stations and the reports had been re- ceived by Brigadier General Funston official calls were exchanged between Rear Admiral Charles J. Badger. Gov ernor Robert J. Kerr and Brigadier General Funston.
 Later in the day an order was is- sued by Rear Admiral Fletcher, who had been in command of the opera tions ashore ever since the landing of the American naval forces and the evacuation of the city by the Mexican troops.
 Admiral FIetcher's Report.
 The order covered the whole of the CNCAlS S4itto lAle ldk1nE or the cItv and read as follows:
 Headquarters of the United States
 Naval Forces on Shore, Vera Cruz
 Mexico, April 30, 1914
 Division Order.
 The naval forces occupying the city of Vera Cruz will at D. m. April 30, 1914. withdraw and turn the com States army.
 The navy landed at II o'clock a. m April 21, 1914. From shortly after their landing our men were under an almost continual fire until S.30 o'clock on the morning of the .22nd
 At that time, when all organized authority in the city of Vera Cruz had ceased to exist, the order was given to advance through the city.
 The brigade under the command of Captain William R. Rush of the u. $. navy, had to fight it's way from street to street against stubborn rife fire from housetops, windows steeples and from places of conceal ment in all parts of the city.
 At Il o'clock a m. the city was in possession of the brigade
 The splendid advance of our men in the morning after being under fire all night was deserving of the highest praise and the accurate and timely gun fire of the Chester, the Prairie and the San Francisco in the harbor showed effective cooperation ashore and afioat
 The praiseworthy conduct of our men In establishing and maintaining good order and restoring confidence among me inhabitants of the city af- ter the fighting reflects the greatest credit upon the discipline and re- sourcefuiness of the men of the navy and the marine corps
 Tn nine days work the city of Vera Cruz was occupied by the navy. law lessness and disorder were Suppressed. HOOD firearms were taken possession of, and line of defenses established around the city against an army threatening to recapture it
 Business has been resumed and normal conditions restored. The mu- nfcfpal government of the city has been re-established under the con- trol of it's people and a civil govern ment formed to carry out the laws of the state and of the federal govern ment.
 "An preparations were made dur ing this time for the landing of the army and for the relief and with drawal of our own forces.
 The officers and men of the naval forces deserve the highest con1men- dation for having done this work com pietely and having done it well.
 The highest honor is due to those who gave their lives in the service of their country.
 III WituuTdWlHS my command from Vera Cruz l wish to extend to the officers and men who took part in it's occupation my deepest appreciation of their gallant conduct and support.
 In turning our work over to the army. the navy extends its best wishes and good will
 FRANK F. FLETCHER.
 Rear Admiral U. s. Navy. -Commanding U. s. Naval Forces on
 Shore"
 Case for Provost Marshal
 The first serious case to come be- Fore the provost marshal, Comr1aand CT p. F. Sellers, of the Arkansak, in dicafed the efficacy of the navak ser vice. A thief was arrested and lbdred in jail within a few hours of the icorn- mission of his crime of blackmail.I This was brought about by the prompt ac-s tion of Commander Sellers himsleif
 During the night of April 27 al man