Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-04-24
NAVY TAKES VERA cruz.
-Four Americans Killed and Twenty
Wounded.
The FIRST BRUSH OF new War.

II Was Necessary to Prevent the De-
livery of a Large Quantity Of Arms
aSd Ammunition from German Ship
and Attack Was Made While Senate
Was DeIiberatins.
Vera Cruz, April 21.-Vera Cruz to-
night Is in the hands Of forces from
the United States warships, but the
occupation Of the port was not accom-
plished without loss of American
lives.
Four American bluejackets and ma
rines were killed by the fire Of the
Mexicans and 20 fell wounded. The
Mexican loss is not known, but 1t is
believed to have been heavy. The wa
terfront, the customs house and all
important piers, including those under
the terminal works, from which ex-
tend the railroads to the capital, have
been occupied. All the territory around
the American consulate is strongly
patrolled and detachments hold other
sections Of the city.
The Mexican commander Gen. Gus
tavo Mas, offered a stubborn resist
ance to the American advance and for
many hours there was fighting In the
streets. Toward nightfall it was re-
ported that the main body Of the
federal garrison was in retreat to the
westward.
Rear Admiral Fletcher, commanding
the United States warships, prefaced
his occupation of the port by a de-
mand, through the American consul,
w. w. Canada, for it's surrender. Gen.
Mas promptly declined to accede to
this demand and shortly afterward
whaleboats were sent off from the side
from the Prairie loaded with marines.
Brings Flag Ashore.
These boats effected a landing in
the neighborhood of the customs house
before noon and few minutes later
Capt. VIM. R. Rush Of the battleship
Florida, who was in command of the
operations ashore, brought his flag in.
Capt. Rush's men already had taken
up their positions. They numbered
$50 bluejackets from the Florida, 800
marines from the Prairie and IS ma
rines from the Florida. Later these
were augmented by detachment from
the Utah.
The coming of the Amorican forces
was not heralded by any great excite
ment, but small crowds gathered to
watch the landing. Soon the bluejack-
cts and marines marched through the
streets, leading from the waterfront
and along the railroad yards. Others
proceeded to the American consulate,
while still others were deployed along
the approaches to central plaza, in
which Gen. Mas had concentrated
his men.
These manoeuvres were effected
without opposition, but suddenly Gen.
Mas challenged the advance with the
first shots-a volley fired from a point
three blocks from the marines and two
blocks south of the main plaza. The
marines replied Immediately, but the
action ceased in a moment. There was
a lull for ten minutes and then anoth-
er brief exchange from the west end
of Montesenos street, where a federal
outpost was stationed.
Prairie in Action.
At 1890 the firing became general
port Prairie went into action.
Prior to this. a detachment Of blue
jackets from the Utah, holding the
ground between the consulate and the
waterfront, opened with two Of their
three-inch guns. The first shots from
these pieces were directed against the
ancient Benito Juarez tower which
once served as a lighthouse. This was
occupied by Mexican sharpshooters.
Lieut. Commander Buchanan Of the
Florida ordered that it be destroyed.
Five shots brought the old tower
down.
Inc women OF the american colony
in Vera Cruz had been placed aboard
the chartered steamers Esperanza and
Mexico, but the foreign colony, espe-
cially the American, was greatly aug
mented this morning when three train
loads arrived from the capital. Some
of these remained ashore, but many
were taken aboard the steamers. So
far as can be learned, no refugees
were injured.
The demand for the surrender Of
Vera Cruz was made at 9 o'clock in
the morning. Consul Canada called
Gen. Gustavo Mas, commandant Of
Vera Cruz, by telephone and presented
the demands, saying that the United
States forces were about to occupy
and hold the town. He called upon him
to surrender in the name Of humanity
and assist the Americans in restoring
order
Asks for Time.
rap Mooc replied that comnlia noe