The citizen., 1914-04-24
WAR WITH MEXICO
Congress Gives Support to
the President.
CUSTOM HOUSE CAPTURED.
Fighting in the Streets of Vera
Cruz-AmericanM Marines Killed
and Wounded.


On Tuesday, April 2Ist, the Amer
leans landed marines in Vera Cruz,
Mexico, and captured the custom house,
postofiice, telegraph Office and other pub
lie buildings. -Four Americans were
killed and twenty wounded. Two hun
dred Mexicans were killed and many
wounded
Washington. April 23.-The Navy De.
partmeit officially stated this morning
that Charge d'Afaires O'Shaugnessy
was given his passports at 3.3o p. m, on
Wednesday afternoon. He will leave
Mexico City Thursday or Friday morn
ing. He sent the message personally,
which indicates that he is not in danger,
at the present moment.
Vera Cruz, April 23.-The total mum
Der OF Americans killed so far in the
fighting IN Mexico is twelve. Fifty are
reported to have been wounded
Mexico Guy, it is known, is COM
| pletely isolated from the rest of the
world.
Frenzied efforts on the part of the
| United States Government, as we'll as
thousands of Americans having personal
interests in the affairs of Mexico Citv,
have been made to reach the Mexican
capital by telegraph, but without results
1t is said that forty hours has elapsed
since this government has received an
uncensored dispatch from Mexico City.
Employees of the telegraph and cable
| companies have been trying to rig up
roundabout way of reaching Mexico City
from Vera Cruz. AT late hour today
| all such efforts have been in vain.
Late dispatches from Vera Cruz state
| the American forces are in complete con-
| troll of the city and that all firing has
ceased.
During hot fighting in the street four
American marines were wounded and the
| Mexican dead will number over 200,
Scores of citizens are being marched to
the waterfront, according to dispatches.
Already 900 citizens have been arrested
and distributed on the different battle
ships in the harbor for shooting from the
houSetops. The big ships were blacken-
ed by powder fired in the first engage
ment in which the ships have been play
ing part
The cruiser Chester destroyed block
of buildings in which the French consul
late was located. In this block several
Mexcans had taken advantage OF the
protection of the French flag TO do pot
shooting at American marines. They
were soon put to flight aud advancing
Americans took possession OF all strategic
points. Many refugees have been taken
on board the Prairie
MANY iell before the rifles and machine
guns OF the marines
Under cover OF guns force of 5000
marines and bluejackets landed at eight
O'Clock this morning by Admiral Fletch-
er and by O'Clock were in possession OF
part OF the city. At 1880 they were re.
inforced by 1000 marines from Admiral
Badgers newly arrived ships.
An Intellectual defense was offered by
the Federal garrison under General
Mass, but their guns were silenced after
two hours bombardmeht.
The Federal barracks near the center
of the city was deserted by its garrison
shortly after the shelling began.
The shells wrecked most of the larger
buildings and towers which in the early
hours were flleu with Mexican sharp
| shooters.
There is strong force Of marines about
the Mexican consulate to guard scores OF
| refugees who are detained until the bonn
| bardment ceases.
Tampico, April 22.-Notce was posted
here this morning in Consul Clarence
| Killers office, that Mexico had refused
| all demands to salute the flag and that
President Wilson had referred the matter
to Congress. The news produced pro-
found sensation in the American colony.
The gravity of situation here was in
| creased by the issuance OF an order today
| for all American merchant vessels TO
leave the wharves and TO lie outside un-
| til further notice.
Grave fears are felt here for the safety
of Americans, including many women
and children III oil camps al Pepila, and
other river points and interior camps.
All these Americans are said To be un-
armed and defenseless against attacks of
either Federals or insurgents. Many oil
| companies are directing their employees
to return to Tampico.
FL Paso. Texas, April 22.-In mes.
sage to President Wilson tonight General
| Carranza expressed the opinion that the
action of the American fleet in landing
marines at Vera Cruz was not justified
notwithstanding it was done in reprlsal OF
the action of one man-Huerta. Huerta
represents the Mexican people and
therefore the act of seizing Mexican
port was an injustice to the people of the
Mexican republic, according to Carranza.
Washington. April 23.-Congress has
officially Justified the administrator
course in dealing with Mexico
The authority exercised by President
Wilson through the Navy Department
in taking the port of Vera Cruz to pre-
vent heavy shipment OF arms and am
munition from reaching Huerta has been
backed up by the Legislative. branch of
the government.
The President at 2o5 O'Clock this after
noon, read, approved and signed the
engrossed record Of Congress empower
ing him.to use the armed forces OF the
United States to enforce his demands for
uneuuivocal demands for affronts and in