El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-04-22
HUNDRED AND FIFTY MEN
OF HUERTA ARMY KILLED
WHEN VERACRUZ IS TAKEN

ment from the Prairie. and marines
attached to other ships as well as a
portion of the sailors, probably about
one-half Of each ships companv. COM
posed the force which engaged the
MeXlcanS at Veracruz Tuesday, when
the landing was effected.
Americans Only Return Fire.
This was announced at the navy de-
partment last night at 10 o'clock There
are now about 1000 American marines
and bluejackeJs in the town. Admiral
FleJcner said his men had fired only
when they were fired upon. so far.
The MeNicans resisted me landing by
opening on the American marines with
cannon and field rifle fire. but the Uni
ted States troops captured the custom
house and environs and soon had the
Stars and Stripes floating from above.
American Advance Promptly Challenged
General Mas challenged the advance
OF the Americans almost from the
first. and made it clear that the Next
cans did not propose to permit peace
ful occupation.
Less than half an hour after leaving
the side of the United States trans
port Prairie, the marines landed and
the absence Of resistance at the water
front and failure Of the Mexicans to
contest the taking Of a position near
the water front, caused spectators in
the street to laugh, and when one
Mexican peOn ran for cover. having
-AeLA Inc AElAAEA AAg u 6AAD4A dL AAAE ADD u
his voice, viva Mexico" loud outlaws
came from the OnlOokers.
Fighting Continues, Hour By Hour
But the luH was not indicative Of
compliance. A few shots came within
few minutes and later a brief ex-
change, and the spectators, whose Curl
Osity alone brought them into the
streets fingered, thinking it was only
a show OF resistance. But after an
other brief interval, fighting in earnest
began, and hour by hour the MeXicaus
continued to oppose the Americans
1iercely in some quarters, although the
main body apparently seemed ready 10
quit.
OutpOsts on Roofs Fire.
Most of the firing was done by out
post parties placed on roofs Of houses
at hundreds Of vantage points, whose
only choice was to keep on firing or
surrender.
The guns Of the Prairie assisted the
landing party. towards evening the
firing continued. but it was more Of
house 10 house character than a de-
termined organized Resistance Final
" the Mexican soldiers who had not
been wounded, retreated westward
Prairie Shells Mexican Positions.
The transport Prairie Immediately
began Smelling the Mexican positions
slowly driving them out The Mex
leans fought from the house tops and
along the streets.
The American forces have taken pos
session Of %he cable office and hold
ton of the city in the vicinity Of the
wharTes-
First Blood Is Spilled
Rear admiral F1etcher's dispatch
came by cable and reached here at 8
o'clock A hurried conference was
Wilson summoned secretaries Bryan,
Garrison and Daniels. They were in
conference for an hour, emerging
serious faced
First blood has been spilled" said
one Of the officials at the white house
May Seize CUES on Arrival.
secretary Bryan left the white house
for the German embassy where he dis
cussed with the German ambassador
the consignment Of arms for Huerta
aboard a German merchant vessel due
TO be landed in Vcracruz soon. The
seizure Of the arms now at NeracruZ
was ordered by the American govern
ment 10 prevent the big shipment OF
ammunition and machine guns from
getting into Huerta's hands
The AdmiraFs Report.
Secretary Daniels made public the
following dispatches received from adj
Tniral Fletcher at 8 p. m:
Tuesday in the face Of an approach
ing norther, landed marines and sail
ors from battleships Utah, Florida and
transport Prairie and seized customs
house. Mexican forces did not Op-
pose landing but opened fire with rifle
and artillery after our seizure or Gus
toms house.
Prairie O-ove Mexicans- out Of their
positions. There was desultOry firing
from house &c house and in the streets.
We hold customs house and section Of
city IN vicinity OF WhaTEes and con-
sulate. Casualties, four killed and 20
wounded"
a dispatch from Col. Fraser under
date OF p. m Tuesday, received at 7-sO
p m announced that desuIUory firing
was still in progress He said he was
holding the part Of FeraLruz in the
vicinity Of the railroad yards. the GUS
toms house and consulate. All rolling
stock Of the railroad, he said, was
safe.
The Killed and Wounded.
Thoses killed Included cox
swain Shoemaker, corporal Hag-
Eerty and seaman POuissett. all OF the
batueship Florida The name of the
fourth man could not be learned
The wounded include c. l. Leahv
y. 5. c. Schwartz, A +. Cameron. J.. +.
Plez, seaman Of the Florida; electrician
GeisbuFn, of the Florida, and D. u.
MCMILLAN, private, second marine reg
iment from the transport Prairie.
Five More BattleshiPs Arrive.
Rear admiral Badger, cOmmanderin-
chief Of the feet arrived at Veracruz
tonight with five ships.