The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-04-24

President Wilson is preparing to is
sue a call for $4,000 volunteers for
the war with Mexico.
Five thousand United States troops,
together with artillery, under COM
mand Of Brigadier General Funston.
will reinforce the Navy at Vera Cruz.
The troops and supplies leave Calves
ton today on five transports.
The chance that General Mas, the
federal general, might make return
attack on Vera Cruz with reinforce
ments and the possible necessity of
forward movement toward Mexico
City to protect fleeing Americans and
the Vera Cruz Railroad were the un-
derlying reasons for the military
movement
The restoration of the embargo on
arms has been officially announced.
The American marines and biuejack-
cts now at Vera Cruz number over
5000. Late last night Admiral F1etch-
er reported that fighting in Vera
Cruz had been finally stopped.
Both Nelson O'Shaughnessy, the
American charge d'affaires, and Senior
Algara, the charge d'affaires Of the
Mexican Embassy, have been given
their passports.
This is not regarded by the govern
ment as presaging war, but decla-
ration of war by Huerta would not be
unexpected.
How HOStilftfes Began.
Following Huerta's refusal to
salute the United States flag accord
ing to President Wilson's demands,
United States battleships were at once
sent to the Mexican waters.
Tuesday, orders were sent to Ad-
miral Fletcher at daybreak to seize
the Vera Cruz custom house and pre-
vent several million rounds of ammu-
milton and 200 field guns shipped on
German steamer by a German firm
from reaching Huerta. These orders
were promptly carried out In the
face OF an approaching norther,
marines and sailors were landed from
the battIeships Utah and Florida and
from the transport Prairie.
The Mexican forces did not oppose
the landing, but opened with rife fire
and artillery fire after the custom
house had been seized, with the result
that four Americans were killed and
20 wounded.
American Consul Canada called
upon General Mas, the Federal Com
mander OF the port, and Antonio vii
lenencio, the Jefe politico, to assist
the Americans in restoring order, but
General Mas refused.
Many American civilians remained
ashore, but none were injured.
The transport Prairie shelled the
Mexicans out or their positions, after
which desultory firing from house
tops ensued.
Admiral Fletcher reports that he is
holding the custom house and section
of the city in the vicinity of the
wharves and the consulate.
Carranza's Attitude.
General Carranza's first statement
of the rebel view of the seizure Of
Vera Cruz and the American program
was telegraphed to Washington from
Chihuahua. 1t avoids mention of
rebel intentions in the matter and
states that the United States erred,
In that the action intended to affect
the individual Huerta was in reality
an act OF hostility to the Mexican
nation.
The city OF Vera Cruz was occupied
by American troops after further
fighting on Wednesday in which eight
Americans were killed and thirty
were wounded. Parts OF the city were
shelled by the fleet under Admiral
Badger.
The House on Wednesday passed
the resolution as amended by the Sen
ate approving of the Presidents use
or the Army and Navy in maintaining
the nations dignity.
The present plans OF the admins
tration are to give Huerta time to
VI I'D. II he does not, then Tampico
will be occupied a. Vera Cruz has
been Next Progresso will be uccu-
pied. One by one the three most i'm
portant points on the West Coast
Mazatlan, Acapulco and Salina Cruz
will also be taken in an effort to
force Huerta to his knees