New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1914-04-25
Vera Cruz in the Hands
Of American Fleet.

landing. Soon the American
forces marched through tho
streets leading to the customs
house and along the railroad
yards. Others marched toward
the American consulate while
others marched toward the plaza
where General Mas had cOncen-
trated his troops. Suddenly
General Mas challenged the
advance with few shots, vol
ley fred at the marines two
blocks below the plaza. The ma
rines returned the fire, but the fir
ing lasted but a moment.
At II 30 the firing became
general and at | o'clock the guns
of the Prairie went into action.
Prior to this a detachment of
bluejac kets from the Utah, hold
ing the ground between the con-
sulate and the water front, opened
with two Of their three-inch
guns. The first shots from these
pieces were directed against the
ancient Benito Juarez tower,
which once served as a light
house. This was occupied by
Mexican sharpshooters. Lieuten-
ant Commander Bunchanan of
the Florida ordered that it be
destroyed. Five shots brought
the old tower down.
The women Of the American
colony in Vera Cruz had been
placed aboard the chartered
steamers Esperanza and Mexica,
but the foreign colony, especially
the American section, was great
ly augmented this morning
when three train loads were TAX
en- aboard the steamers. So far
as can be learned no refugees
were injured.
The postoffice, government tel
egraph office and the cable office
were the first buildings occupied
after the customs house. A squad
of marines was placed in charge
Of the cable office. The telegraph
wires were found intact and
enough Mexican operators were
retained to man the lines to Mex
leo City.
After General Mas had been
driven from his position in Cen
trail Plaza, the Americans found
themselves the object of fussilades
from house tops. 1t was learned
only tonight that most of those
engaged in this resistance were
civilians. They stationed them
selves at points of vantage and
did much to prolong the action.
Lieutenant Colonel w. G. Ne
Vile, commanded the marine
from the Prairie and Majors Reid
and Berkeley and Captain
Hughes, Hill and Dyer along the
lines have ben reinforced by a
detachment which originally was
in position beyond the terminal
works.
Towards the middle Of the aft
crnoon a large body Of Mexicans
evacuated their positions and are
now somewhere in the sand hills
back of the city where they are
expected to be joined by rein
fore which, it is reported,
are to be sent down from the cap
ital.
This withdrawal. however, was
not entirely premeditated. Those
watching on the ships observed
through their glasses large
force of Mexicans moving over
the hills in the western outskirts
of the city apparently with the
intention Of thanking a battalion
of marines in the railway yards
and along Montesinos street,
which runs east and west not far
from the American consulate.
Immediately the five-inch guns
Of the Prairie belched forth,
breaking the Mexican formation
and causing hasty retreat. This
ended the fanking movement.
Only few minutes before the
three-inch guns Of the Prairie
were used effectively near shore
A. small detachment Of Mexicans
had gained positions near the Gus
toms house and were concealed
their craftsmanship causing some
trouble. A few shots from the
Priarie dislodged them. Shells
were placed along the line of the
shore, keeping that territory com
paratively free from sharpshoot
crs.
In the action about the customs
house two bluejackets in launch
that carried a rapid-frer were