The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1914-04-23
WARSH|PS SMELLING
VERA CRUZ TODAY
Continued from page /.

benltO JauTGZ tower GOWN.
The ONE Of the American colony
in Vera Cruz had already been plac-
ed aboard the chartered steamer Es-
peranza and Mexico, but the foreign
colony, especially the American Sec
ton, was greatly augmented when
three trainloads arrived from the
capital.
The demand for the surrender of
Vera Cruz was made by Rear Admiral
Fletcher, through Consul Canada, at
8 o'clock in The morning. The consul
called General Mas, commandant of
era Cruz, by telephone and present.
ed the demands, saying that the Unit
ed States forces were about to oc-
cupy and hold the town. He called
of humanity and assist the Americans
in restoring order.
General Mas replied that compli-
ance with the demand was Impossible
and asked the consul for a parley.
The consul informed General Mas
that he had no instructions to grant
a parley and ended the conversation.
He then called the jefe politico and
the customs collector by telephone
and informed them of the prospec-
tive landing and asked for their CO.
operation in the maintenance of
peace.
The customs collector requested
time in order to attend to certain du-
ties and neither could promise any
assistance.
Rear Admiral Fletcher, aboard the
battleship Florida by this time was
IN communication with Rear Admiral
Badger, commandments of the
Atlantic fleet, who was speeding to-
ward this port with a fleet of war,
ships.
Fletcher Starts Action.
Admiral Fletcher decided to take
action and marines began leaving the
SIDE OF the transport Prairie shortly
before IL O'Clock. They entered 10
whaleboats and effected a landing
,Wlthin half an hour at the customs
mouse and No. 4 pier, which extends
almost from the center of the short
ilhe INTO the port and terminal works.
information that President Huerta
was counting on receiving from the
steamer Yplranga of the Hamburg
american line, whiah was due to ar
rive yesterday, a big consignment of
ammunition, rifles and machine guns.
was responsible for the occupation of
n customs house somewhat earlier
than might otherwise have been the
case. The Ypiranga is still outside
the harbor. She has on board. amonp
other supplies. 10000 rifles and IL.
100000 cartridges.
President Huerta has been making
every effort to safeguard this con-
slgnment and has given orders that
IL be unloaded Immediately. placed
on a special train drawn by two To-
comotives and rushed to the capital.
Mexicans Will Resist.
General Mas challenged the adj
vance of the Americans almost from
the first and made it clear that the
Mexicans do not propose to permit a
peaceful occupation.
Less than half an hour after leay-
ing the side of the United States
transport Prairie. the marines had
landed and the absence of resistance
at the water front and failure of a
position near the water front caused
curious spectators in the streets
to laugh. and when one Mexican noe
ran from cover. having had ne
temerity to shout at the top of his
voice viva Mexico" loud outlaws
came from the 'onlookers.
But the lull was not Indicative of
compliance. A few shots came With
a few minutes and later q brief
exchange and the spectators. whose
f~ur1osity alone brought them into the
streets fingered, thinking it was only
: show of resistance. But after an
oiher brief interval. fighting in earn
est began and hour after hour the
MeX1cans continued to oppose thel
americans 1ercelv in some quarters,
altnough the main body apparently
seemed ready. to quit.
most of the firing was done by
parties, placed on thesroofs
houses at points of vantage. whoes
only choice was to keep on firing or