Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1914-04-23

Pensacola, Fla, April ~. The bat
tlcshIp Mississippi, with coo marines
aboard. sailed for Vera Cruz. The war.
ship also carried four aviators with
their hydroaeroplancS. The tender
Dixie departed for the Mexican port.
Washington. April %. American
marines and blue Jackets 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 unotIicially
as between one and two hundred men.
The first shedding of blood came
when the Mexicans under General
Mas opened fire on the American
landing force from Admiral Fletchcr's
fleet with the firing of these shots,
the last hope of avoiding an open
declaration of war disappeared. The
| lnited States win now be forced to
move against Mexico with ali the
forces of It's tremendous military and
! naval power. No attempt was made
here to conceal the tremendous con
sequences that are likely to follow
from the days Developments. 1t
means the expenditure Of millions of
dollars and the risking of thousands
e lives.
While no formal action has been
taken by the president, it is believed
that Charge 'Shaughncssy will be inn
mediatoly recalled from Mexico city
aud the Mexican charge at Washing,
ton, Senior Algara. will be given his
passports without delay,
The first news OF the lighting at
Vera Cruz and the seizure of the city
comes in this report from Admiral
Fletcher received ut the navy depart
Ment at O'Clock In the evening;
"TucBday in face of approaching
norther, landed marines and sailora
from Utah. Florida and Prairie and
seized custom house Mexican forces
did not oppose landing but opened
lrc with rifles and artillery after our
seizure Of custom house Prairie shell
INK McNicans out of thcir positions.
Desultory firing from house tops and
| otreeta. Hold custom house and sec,
ton of city III vtcmity of wharvcs and
consulate, Casulntos -four dead and
| twenty wounded"
The American casualties and the
men wounded in the first cngaGcmcnt
wero rs follows:
Tho dead: CoNswain Shoemachcr
Corporal llaggrrty, marine corps;
/ Seaman pouissett
The wounded: ! +. Please, G. l..
Lcahey. G. u, Cameron. t. Schwartz.
] u. l.. CacMillau, private marines. and
/ Electrician Geishuruc OF Battlcship
Florida
This bulletin was filed at Vera Cruz
al about two O'Clock in the afternoon
1t was followed in about an hour Ivy
/ another dispatch from Admiral Fletch.
er which read;
"llolding the Vicinity of the railroad
station and the yards and drsult,h'y
firing continues. Also holdiuG tn,
vicinity OF custom house and cable of.
/ Gee. Light northcr is blowing"
This dispatch was filed at Vera Cruz
nj I O'Clock in the afternoon At $50
p. O'Clock, Vera Cruz time, Admiral
Fletcher sent this dispatch;
"onr men are firms only when fired
at We prepared flag of truce with
message to General Mas 10 cease nr
hG or our big guns would be used
Now about 1000 marines aud sailors
ashore, All business here suspended "
soon after this the state department
received the following dispatch from,
Omitted States Consul Canada nj Vera
Cruz, filing at O'Clock in the even
ms.
Marines and blue Jackets landed at
ll:&o O'Clock this morning Immediate.
~ taking possession OF cable office
telegraph office and customs. Have
also railroad terminal and yards with
4 rolling stock Nu,WiiEs..a...e &c