The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1914-04-24
Gulf Port Taken In
Brisk Battle.
FIRST GUN OF THE WAR
Was Fired at An American
Landing Party.
RETALIATION WAS DECISIVE
Admiral Fletcher Reports On the
Battle of Vera Cruz.

Washington, April %. = American
marines and bluejackets are now in
possession OF Vera Cruz, the principal
port OF Mexico. The seizure Of the
city cost the Americans four lives and
twenty wounded, while the Mexican
losses have been estimated unofficially
as between 100 and 200 men,
The first shedding of blood came
when the Mexicans under General
Mas opened fire upon the American
landing force from Admiral Fletcher's
feet. With the firing OF these shots
the last hope OF avoiding an open dec
laration OF war disappeared The
United States will now be forced to
move against Mexico with all the force
Of its tremendous military and naval
power No attempt was made here
today TO conceal the tremendous con-
sequences that are likely TO follow
from these Developments II means
the expenditure OF millions OF dollars
and the risking OF thousands OF lives.
While no formal action in that d.
reetion thus far has been taken by the
president, IT is believed that Charge
d'Affaires o'Shaughnessy will be i'm
medlately recalled from Mexico City
and the Mexican charge at Washing
ton, Senior Algara. will be given his
passports without delay.
First News Of Fighting.
The first news OF the fighting at
Vera Cruz and the seizure OF the city
came in this report from Admiral
Fletcher, received at the navy depart
ment at o'clock last evening:
Tuesday in face Of approaching
norther, landed marines and sailors
from Utah. Florida and Prairie and
seized custom house. Mexican forces
did not oppose landing. but opened
fre with rifles and artillery after our
seizure OF custom house. Prairie
shelling Mexicans out Of their position.
Desultory firing from housetops and
streets- Hold custom house and sec
lions OF city in vicinity OF wharvcs and
consulate. Casualties, four dead and
twenty wounded"
This bulletin was filed at Vera Cruz
at about 2 O'Clock in the afternoon. It
was followed in about an hour by an
other dispatch from Admiral Fletcher.
which read:
Holding the vicinity Of the railroad
station and the yards and desultory
firing continues. Also holding the
vicinity OF custom house and cable Of
fee" Ms
This dispatch was filed at Vera Cruz
at 4 O'Clock IN the afternoon. At $3.50
O'Clock. Vera Cruz time, Admiral
Fletcher sent this dispatch:
"Our men are firing only when fired
ut We prepared flag Of truce with
message to General Mas to cease fir
ing or our big guns would be used.
Now about 1000 marines and sailors
ashore. All business here suspended"
other information received at the
navy department was to the effect
that the American forces In selling
the yards OF the railroad running from
Vera Cruz to Mexico City had taken
1900 cars and twenty engines. The
MexIcans were preparing to move
these cars toward Mexico City, and
the capture OF this equipment was one
of the considerations that led TO the
decision on the part OF the United
States authorities to seize the port
without waiting for formal action BY
congress. This equipment will be Of
the greatest value in transporting
troops over the railroad toward Mex
leo City from Vera Cruz as base.