South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-04-23
MARTIAL LAW
GOVERNS IN
VERA CRUZ
BULLETIN
By A. Nj. JAMESON.
Special Staff Correspondent.

VERA CRUZ, April 23.-Mar-
tial law was proclaimed here
shortly before noon today by
Rear Admiral Fletcher. The
American marines and sailors are
in absolute control and all is quiet
as this dispatch is sent.
A train load of refugees from
Mexico City is expected soon.
The battleShip Arkansas is going
to TampiCO tonight.
Reports have reached the Ter
minal hotel where Admiral Fetch
er has his headquarters, that an
attack by troops under Gen. Mas
may be expected within a short
time.
A dozen of the Americans were
killed and from $50 TO 500 Mexicans
were shot down while persistently re-
sisting the advance of the United
States forces.
More than two hundred Mexicans
Vere taken prisoners and lodged on
board the protected cruiser San Fran
cisco.
Acting under orders from Rear Ad-
miral Badger. American sailors and
marines started early today to ciean
UP the city and to capture or drive
out the "snipers" or Mexican sharp
shooters. who have kept up an inter-
mittent fire upon the invaders since
the American landing forces first
touched Mexican soil on Tuesday. De-
taChmentS of Americans made an
organized search through all houses
auNanM CO.. &C
the hidden Mexican iregulars gave
battle and hand TO hand fighting in
the dirty dark rooms of the adobe
buildings followed.
Sentries Pace Streets.
Throughout the night sentrieS
drawn from the ranks of the sailors
and marines paced through the streets,
keeping a keen outlook for bands of
prowiers. Most of the electric light
ing system had been destroyed by the
bOmbardment Of the Prairie and the
Chester and DOnnTeS were lighted IN
the parks and upon the water front
At times the powerful searchlights
of the American men OF war swept
along the harbor front. ON shore the
stiffness was punctured by the stac-
cato crack of rifle fire. SentinelS
who passed stealthily to and fro fired
at times upon forms which moved
with suspicious stealth through the
shadows. The fire occasionally was
returned and from time 10 time the
scattering shots seemed to resolve it
self into mild yOlltys.
sleep in Open.
Most of the 1000 sailors and marines
slept in the open. wrapped in thick
service blankets. for the nights are
chilly and fog blew in from the har-
bOr The bivouac of the American
army in the streets Of the partially
blasted city made picturesque scene
with the moonlight hickering down
upon the sleeping forms and stacked
arms.
Rear Admirals Badger and Fletcher
received reports that General GustaVe
Mas. federal commander at Vera
Cruz, who fed at the approach OF the
Americans, IS trying TO reorganiZe a
Mexican army near Terieria, about ten
miles northwest of the city on the
railway line leading 10 Mexico City.
i was said that Mas had called upon
the federal garrisons at OriZaba and
PUebla Cordoba 70 send reinforcementS
and field guns.
These reports did not cause the
American naval authorities much an
Niety, but they did have the effect OF
Increasing the watchfulneSs of the in
vading forces.
Double lines of seRtrtes were posted
along the railway terminals III Ailt
western part of the city with orders
TO report at once 10 the military au-
thOTitieS at the United States consul
ate If they saw any large bodies OF
MeXiCans.
Bullets Intellectual
The Americans took shelter and re-
turned the fire but the academy build
ing offered such formidable pTOtec-
tiOn that the American bullets were
Intellectual Captain William Rush OF
the Florida. commanding the land
forces decided that the MeXicanS could
only be disIod ged by the bonn ba-dInent II
and communicated with Rear Admiral
padger. The guns OF the big men OF
war were soon booming and heavy
proiectiles were crashing into the
walls OF the academy. The MeNicans
fled leaving n number OF dead and
wounded behind.
Eight OF the Americans. however.
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO)