The Alaska citizen., 1914-04-27

loads OF American marines ana Dlue-
Jackets were landed from the battle
ships Utah and Florida and the
transport Prairie. When the smoke
of battle had cleared away late this
afternoon. 200 Mexicans and four
Americans were dead and the Unit
ed States was in full possession of
the city, the Mexican troops having
evacuated after making a futile al
tempt to brighten the marines away.
In addition to the four Americans
killed, 90 others were more or less
seriously injured.
FLETCHER TELLS OF FIGHT.
WASHINGTON, y. G.. April 81
At a late hour tonight, President
Wilson gave out the following state
ment from Admiral Fletcher who
was in charge of the American
forces which captured Vera Cruz
this afternoon. In the face of an
approaching "Norther," We landed
marines and sailors from the bat
tleships Utah and Florida and the
auxiliary cruiser Prairie. and selz-
| ed tie customs house. The Mexican
| forces did not oppose the landing
but opened fire with rifles and ar
tillery after our seizure of the Gus
toms house.
The Prairie shelled the MeNicans
| from their position after which
| there was desutory firing from the
housetops and in the streets. We
hold the customs house and also the
section OF the city i'll the vicinity
of the consulate Our casualties are
four dead and twenty Wounded.
TWO HUNDRED KILLED.
| WASHINGTON, d. c., April III
An unofficial report which reached
this city at midnight from Vera Cruz
states tat following the Mexican
| attack upon the American marines.
Admiral Fletcher opened fire upon
| the Mexicans with heavy guns. Four
| buildings are reported to have been
destroyed during the bombardment,
and il is estimated that POO MeXi-
| cans were killed.
AMERICANS HAVE RAILROAD.
| WASHINGTON, d. c.. April 21.-
Admiral Fletcher announces that he
| has secured absolute control OF the
railroad yards at Vera Cruz. Al
4.45 the marines entered the MeXi-
can barracks. where short time
| previously a considerable number OF
| Huerta's soldies had been quartered.
! The Americans now have almost
complete control OF the city. The
American consulate has been proFld-
ed with a strong guard.
HOW FIGHT STARTED.
WASHINGTON. d. c., April 2l.-
Reports reaching this city late this
| afternoon from Vera Cruz state that
when the battleship Utah steamed
into harbor and came to anchor,
and it was seen that preparations
| were being made TO land marines,
great excitement was apparent in
the city Some of the reports say
| that the marines We're compelled to
| fight their way to the customs
house, while others claim that not
shot was fired until both the Gus
| toms house and the cable Office mad
been seized All the reports agree
on the number of Americans killed,
| however. One was corporal, one
a coxswan, and the other two We're
marines.
DELAY is DEPLoRED.
| WASHINGTON, d. c.. April IL
Although the joint resolution author
izing the President to use extreme
measures to bring President Huerta
| to time was under consideration in
the senate all day, the lawmakers
| adjourned this afternoon without haV-
| ing granted the desired authority to
proceed against Mexico.
President Wilson is much annoyed
over the failure Of the senate to act
| but it confidently expected that the
shedding of blood at Vera Cruz this
afternoon will have the effect of
bringing the senators to their senses
tomorrow. The chief objection to
the resolution is the language The
senators seem to think tnat lhe
measure is directed at Huerta rath-
! er than at the Mexican republic as
| a nation.
Senator Lodge supported the Presi-
dent in the lengthy debate Whlc2
took up the time of the upper house
today. He urged immediate action
using the argument that delay might
cause the United States much en-
barrassment. Practically all the
members seem willing enough to
back the President, but object to the
wording of the war bill.
PLANS OUTLINED.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 2l.-
1t is considered probable tonight that
the next move of the United States
will be to occupy Mexico City, which
will be held until order is restored
Secretary Bryan announced this
! afternoon that before night he would
give the powers advance notice OF
the blockade of Vera Cruz, which
he intimated would be declared not
later than tomorrow night.
/. W. w. OPPOSES WAR;
BOSTON, April 81. - The Indus
trial Workers of the World threaten
to call a national strike in the event
that the United States goes to war
With Mexico The leaders OF the
organization declare that the pres
ent strained relations between the
two countries can be smoothed over
without resort to the armed force
Of the nation.
WARNED TO LEAVE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 21.-
Advices received here today from
Mexico state that CHARGE d'Affaires
OShaughnessy has advised all the
foreign diplomats in the Southern
republic to warn their fellow citizens
to quit the country at once.
JUNGLE JOE" APPROVES.