The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1914-04-24

A merican meet az vera Oful lhnOed
marines TO take possession of the
custom house aud city Of Vera Cruz
The Mexloans resisted, firing on
the Americans who returned the
fire. The firing continued all of
the afternoon and resulted In the
death IF four Americans and the
wonnding of twenty more. The Msxi
can loss WAS reported at two hundred
The Mexican troops made no stand
against tine Amricans and theiI firing
came mostly from the house tops
This became so calling that the Amerl
eau commander sent word TO the Mexi
can commander that unless the firing
fiom the house tors ceased he would
she'll the city.
No cannon we're used on ether side
during the fighting. the firing being
done with rifles. II was thought that
the Mexicans had moved their cannon
out of the city TO keep them from
falling into the hands Of the AmeTi-
cans aud admiral Fletcher did not
wlsh to endangsr lives of civilians
or to destroy the city snd RETAINED
from using his big guns
President Wilson ordered the seiz
ure Of Vera Ornz without waiting
for action by congress This action
WAS taken on hls part to prevent
uuerta from receiving large ship
ment OF guns aud munitions of war
that was being brought In on Ger
man ship.
When the captain of this ship
heard of the action of the Uulled
States he reported his arrival to Ad
mirai Flelcner but made no attempt
to land.
Congress passed Joint resolution
giving the President free hand to
take such Retlnn rs he might think
sroper, the only opposition coming
fsom members who wished 10 make
he resolution more drastic than asked
ty the president.
No actual declaration of war was
made hut without doubt Huerta will
look upon the seizure of the custom
house and the occupying of Vera
Cruz by the United States troops
as an act of war.
Wednesday Admiral Fletcher order
ed the complete occupation of Vera
Cruz aud landed more marines for
tails purpose. AS they advanced into
the center of the city they we're met
by a 81 arp fire from the roofs OF
buildings and the windows of the
naval academy.
They we're unable TO return the fire
as they ,ould not see their assail
ants <.si scattered.
The Prairie, Chester and Phila
dlphla opened fire on the Academy
With lh1lf Eve and SIX inoh guns aud
the walls we're battered dawn.
The blue jackets then advanced in
force to the plaza and by evening
of that day the city was completely
Ia the possession of the Americans
except for some places in the out
skirts where the Mexicans kept ar
a desultoiy firing.
It is reported that when the Amer
can ma. iues landed OIL Tuesday the
Mexican commander and most of the
officers deserted their m~n aud left
the city and the resistance offered
was by struggling soldiers and civil
lians.
unerta handed ShauPhnessey th'
American Charge. at Mexico Oity
his passports aud ordered him u
leave. lie expected to get away
from that city late Thursday night o.
early Friday morning.
Carranza, the chief OF the con
stiutlonaIsts has sent note Ia PIesi
dent Wilson declaring the selzur
OF Vera Cruz a violation Of Mexican
soverenity aud inviting the United
States to suspend hostilites and Will
draw it' forces and suggesting tha
the oonstitntionRlist Rovernmen
should receive demands for repara
tion of oifenses committed by Huerts
This note has complicated matter
hut President Wilson has made n
change In his program lie has em
phasized the tact that the Unitel
States has no quarrel with the Mexi
can people but only with the force
oontrolled By AESrta. aud will not
at presags.. go further than to occup
-eefa Cruz, aud possibly Tamplco.
The American casualties In ih
second days fighting at Vera Cru
we're eight killed and numbe
wounded. The Mexican loss is an
known.
Fighting In Vera Cruz has pfaet
oally ceased though there was d.
sultaory firing Thursday and thr'
more American sailors we're kilie