Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-22

steamer Ypiranga OF the Hamburg
American line. which was due to ar
rive yesterday. a big consignment OF
ammunition, rifles. and machine guns.
was responsible for the occupation of
the customs house.
The Ypiranga is still outside the
harbor. II has on board among other
supplies 10000 rifles and 100000
cartridges.
President Huerta has been making
every effort TO safeguard this consign-
ment and had given orders that il be
unloaded Immediately. placed on
special train drawn by two locomot-
ives and rushed TO the capital. The
demand for the surrender OF Vera
Cruz was made by Rear Admiral
Fletcher through Consul Canada at 3
o'clock yesterday morning.
The consul called Gen. Gustavo
Mas. commandant OF Vera Cruz. by
telephone and presented the demands
saying that the United States forces
were about to occupy and hold the
town. He called upon him to surrender
in the name OF humanity and assist
the Americans I'm restoring order.
General Mas replied that compliance
with the demand was impossible.
The consul informed General Mas
that he had no instructions to grant a
parley. and ended the conversation.
No Satisfaction from Mas Aids.
He then called the jefe politico and
the customs collector by telephone
and informed them of the prospective
landing and asked for their co-opera-
ton in the maintenance of peace
The customs collector requested
time I'm order to attend to certain
duties. and neither could promise any
assistance.
Rear Admiral Fletcher. aboard the
flagship Florida, at this time was in
communication with Rear Admiral
Badger. commander in chief of the At
lantic feet, who was speeding toward
this port with five warships.
Fletcher Sends Marines Ashore.
Rear Admiral Fletcher decided to
take action, and marines began leav-
ing the side of the transport Prairie
shortly before II o'clock.
They entered ten whaleboats and |
effected a landing within half an hour
at the customs house and No. ( pier. /
which extends almost from the center |
Of the shore line into the port and |
terminal works.
There was no resistance when the |
reached the water front |
and failure on the part of the Next |
;ans to contest the taking of a posi- !,
ion somewhat in from the water
rOnt caused the curious spectators in
he street to laugh.
When one Mexican peon ran for
over. having had the temerity to
hOut at the top of his voice. Viva
lexico," loud outlaws came from the
nlOokers.
Scattering Shots Turn to FusilIade.
But the luIl was not indicative OF
few shots came within
few minutes and later a brief ex- q:
hange. and the spectators. whose ,
alone brought them into the
treets, fingered. thinking il was only
show of resistance.
But after another brief interval
Citing in earnest began, and hour
fter hour the Mexicans continued to
ppose the Americans fiercely in some
larters. although the main bodyi
semed ready to quit.
-hOSt VI tie HTlne was done by out
lst parties placed on roofs of houses =
various points of vantage. whose =
lly choice was to keep on firing or
lrrender.
Toward evening the fighting contin-
I'd. but il was more of a housetop
laracter than a determined organ r
ed resistance.
At dusk the Americans were hold
z that part OF Vera Cruz in the vi p
NIFTY OF the railroad yard. the Gus
IN mousse and consulate. All rolling
Ock OF the railroad was safe.