The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-04-22


vice.
Admiral Badger arrived with FIVE
waTships az Vera Cruz soon after
the occupation OF the port, but later
received orders 10 repair to Tampico.
from which point the operations OF
the feet viii be directed by the com
mander in chie,
Vera Cruz. April 2l.-Vera Cruz
tonight is In the hands OF forces
from the United States warships.
but the occupation OF the por, was
ne. accomplished without loss OF
American lives.
The demand for the surrender for
Vera Cruz was made by Rear-Admiral
Fletcher through Consul W. W. Can
ada at 9 o'clock in the morning. The
consul called Gen. Gustavo Mas.
oommandant of Vera Cruz. by tele-
phone and presented the demands.
saying the United States forces were
about 10 occupy and hold the town
He called upon him TO surrender In
the name OF humanity and assist the
Americans in restoring order. Gen.
Mas replied that compliance with
/ the demand was impossible and ask.
ed the consul for a personal parley.
The consul informed Gen. Mas that
he had no instructions to grant q
parley, and ended the conversation.
He then called the jefe politco
and the customs collector by tele-
phone and Informed them OF the pros
peotive landing and asked for their
cooperation in the maintenance OF
peace. The customs collector re.
quested time in order to attend to
certain duties and neither could
promise any assistance.
Rear-Admiral Fletcher. aboard the
flagship Florida. by this time was
in communication with Admiral Bad
ger. commander-in-chief OF the At
/ lantic feet. who was speeding tow
ard this port with FIVE warships. AID
miral Fletcher decided TO take action
| and bluecoats and marines began
leaving the side OF the transpor,
Prairie shortly before IL o'clock
They entered 10 whaleboats and eff
fected a landing within half an hour
al the customs house and No. pier
which extends almost from the cen
ter of the shore line Into the por
and terminal works. A few minutes
later Capt William R. Russ Of the
battleship Florida, who was in com
mand Of the operations ashore
brought his flag in. Capt Rushs'.
men had already taken up their posi-
lions They numbered $50 blue
Jackets from the Florida. 800 ma
rines fro mthe Prairie and IS ma
rlnes from the Florida. Later thes,
were augmented by a detachmen
from the Utah.
The coming of the American fore
es was not heralded by any grea
excitement, but small crowds gather
ed TO watch the landing. Soon tn
bluejackets and marines marche
through tho streets leading from tn
waterfront and along the railroa,
yards. Others proceeded TO tn
American consulate, while still 9th
ers were deployed along the approa
ches to Central plaza, in which Ger
Mas had concentrated his men.
These maneuvers were effecte
without opposition. but suddenl
Gen. Mas challenged the advanc
with the first shots-a volley fire
from a point three blocks from til
marines and two blocks south of tn
main plaza. The marines replied in
J mediately, but tho action ceased /
moment. There was a lull for l
minutes and then another brief e.
change from the west end of MOI
tesinos street, where a federal Oh
post was stationed.
AT 1890 the firing became genera
and at / o'clock the guns of tn
transport Prairie went into action.
: Prior to this detachment of blu,
jackets from the Utah, holding tn
ground between the consulate an
the waterfront, opened with two {
: their three-inch guns. The frs
shots from these pieces were direc
ed against an ancient tower. whic
once served as a light house. Thi
was occupied by Mexican shar
shooters. Lieut-Comdr Buchanan {
5 the Florida ordered that it be d.
, stroyed. Five shots brought the oil
) Benito Juartez tower down.
: The postofiice, government tell
lCnntinnad nn Third papel