Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-04-23
RESUME fight
At VERA Cruz
French Consulate in Build
ing Demolished by
Bullets.
GUERILLA WARFARE
From Points of Vantage,
Wound Many Americans Be
fore They Are Routed
by Cann0nade.
(By Charles D. Crossman.)

Wy SuCSl ACS u. SIOSSIldu.J
Vera Cruz, Mexico, April 22.-The
city is now completely under the con-
troll Of the American forces. Abso-
lutte quiet prevails, except for occa-
sional outpost firing as some of the
Mexican troops are still lowering on
the outskirts Of the city, having evil
IDENTIFY been left behind by General
Mas to cover his retreat when he
and the bulk Of the garrison retired
with all the artillery to Paso del
Mocho, strongly fortified position
on the Mexican railroad, few miles
east of Cordova.
l am writing this dispatch on
board the transport Prairie. Many
of the American refugees from Mexico
City have sought shelter on the war
ships and most of them have been
taken on board the Prairie.
Sharp Shooters Get Marines.
The most sensational incident of
the day was the destruction by the
cruiser Chester of block of build
ings in which the French consulate
was located. In these buildings sew
eral Mexicans, feeling certain that the
French flag, flying from the consul
ate, would safeguard them from bonn
bardment, stationed themselves and
began sniping the American marines.
After this pot-shooting had continued
for some time, the men were located
and orders were given to the Chester
to open fire on the buildings.
and the marines advancing under COW
whole district. a - Sys frr g..
Heat Affects Americans. -
Fighting began soon after day
break and continued until after 1920.
At this hour, the thermometer regis
tered 1OS degrees and the oppressive
heat had begun to tell on many Of
the Americans who have not yet be-
come acclimated.
Up to noon the only casualties re-
ported among the Americans were
Harry Percy, private marine, battle
ship Utah, fatally wounded, and sew
eral other marines slightly wounded.
All were from the battleship Utah.
The casualties on the Mexican side
are variously estimated at from 100
to 200 killed. An accurate report has
not been obtainable, but it Is known
that the American rifle and machine
gun fire wrought havoc among the
Mexicans who remained to oppose
the American advance.
Many buildings throughout the
city have been wrecked by the shell
fire from the 5-inch guns from the
Chester and Prairie, which was used
to cover the advance of the marines
and to dislodges the Mexican snipers
from the roofs and various other
points of vantage which they occu-
pied. l1Ha1
Many Prisoners Taken.
Scores of prisoners were taken by
the marines and marched to the water
front, where they were distributed
among the United States warships.
Among the buildings destroyed by
the shells were the naval academy
and the arsenal.
The number of marines in the city
was Increased to $500 this morning,
when Admiral Badger sent 1000
ashore to assist those who had landed
yesterday.
The advance to the center of the city
was begun after the Chester and
Prairie had maintained hot shell fire
for half an hour. 1t was during this
period that the naval academy and
arsenal were demolished. Several
other buildings were badly damaged
at the same time.
As they advanced the marines en-
countered numerous small bodies Of
men, most of them apparently armed
poems who fled after firing q few
shots. Others fired from roofs and
windows Of private houses. A house
toulouse search was made to rOut all
! OF these.
| The rattle Of machine guns and rifle
fire was incessant while the booming
are of the larger guns on the ships
shook the entire city.
At 1880 p. m. all firing had ceased
within the city. and many shop-keep-
ers had decided to reopen theil
! places of business.