The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-04-22
Coherent Account
/ OF Start of Action
Marines, Stirre6Ss News of Death of Fellows, Pour
Deadly Fire Into Mexican Guerrillas' Ranks.
e.. All Good Marksmen.

VERA CRUZ. Mexico. April 22r-Here
ic the first connected story OF the land
ing of United States marin s at Vera
Cruz yesterday, and the skirmishes that
followed. In which four marines were
killed and twenty-one wounded, and in
which 200 MeXicans met death, with
twice that number injured.
The first Shot was fired shortly after
noon yesterday, when the Mexican cum
mander, Gen. Gustavo Mas, ordered
resistance to the advance of the Ameri-
cans. who had already taken possession
OF the custom house, the railroad ter
minals, the postoffice. and the cable
and telegraph stations.
Within a few hours four Americans
had been slain and a score wounded.
News of the casualties spurred on the
marines, and before the sun had set the
deadly aim of the invaders had taken
heavy toll, and General Mas and his
troops began their retreat TO the sand
dunes.
Select Vantage Points.
There they rested until. under cover
OF darkness. their sharpshooters could
deploy to vantage points. and attempt
to pick of sentries on silent streets.
large percentage of the marines
wear across their khaki shirts honor
bars for craftsmanship. and scores of
them were practicing for the first time
on living targets.
When occasion offered they also took
advantage of the roofs, and this morn
ing occupied positions on tops of build
tnGs, where their rifles could carry with
deadly eeffct.
Prior to the occupation of the port.
Admiral Fletcher, through American
Consul w. w. Canada, had made a de-
mand for the surrender of the town.
General Mas promptly declined to ac-
cede to this demand.
About an hour afterward. at II
O'Clock, khak!-clad marines could be
seen tunbling down the gangways of
the Florida, the Prairie. and the Utah.
Launches pulling cutters and whale
boats began their course to the stone
craft appeared to be racing for the
honor Of landing the first troops on
Mexican soil.
Prairie Lands 900.
From the Prairie. 800 marines were
landed, and these Were closely followed
by 800 marines and bluejackets from
the Florida Captain Rush, of the
Florida was brigadier commander of
the party. which also included eighty
eight marines from the Utah.
Al A-lV o CLOCK IdIlueS we're sent
away from the dock in detachments. to
take possession of the various public !
buildings. A strong detachment was
sent to surround the American con-
suiate.
Throngs of citizens focked to the
waterfront to witness the landing. and
the town seemed to take on the appear |
ance of a holiday. There was no
hesitation on the part of the American
hght.ng men. They moved with pre-
cision. and it seemed as If the Mexican
spectators failed 10 catch the import of
the ominous proceedings
Had Dropped Anchor.
1t was noon when the marines and
sailors had expeditiously accomplished
the seizure of the principal buildings. |
Out in the harbor. the German freight !
er Ypiranga had meanwhile dropped J
anchor. Aboard this vessel was a vast !
quantity of war munitions consigned to !
General Huerta. The landing had been !
timed by Fletcher. SO he could inter- !
cept the merchantman's cargo of war ]
and prevent Huerta from receiving the |
guns and cartridges.
AS the church bells tolled the Angelus |
at noon. the marines were busy clearing !
the cable station and postoffice OF |
panic-stricken clerks. Even then there /
was no action on the part of the fed :
eraI garrison encanped in the north end :
OF the CITY.
Lieutenant Colonel Neville. comand- +,
ing a body Of 800 marines, was trooping =,
along the Ca lie Montesinos, which runs !
parallel with the railway tracks. The ,
marines were pulling four machine .
guns, and all seemed surprised at the !
ease with which the seizure of Vera :
Cruz was being effected. The detach- |
ment stopped at the Cathedral Plaza, !
and began making improvised trenches |
on the north side in front of the Amer ;
lean consulate. Other marines were |
posted further south, on Morelos street,
in the general direction of the center /
Of the city. and the federal barracks.
Up to this time General Mas had
made no effort to communicate .with
Captain Rush, Lieutenant Commander
Buchanan second in command. or with
Consul Canada. it was known that I
Mas had about 500 troops under him,
but so far nothing had been seen OF
them.
About l2:15. when a company OF ma