The Washington herald., 1914-04-25
RUSH WORK ON
~. CITY DEFENSES
Americans Prepare to Hold
Vera Cruz Against Mexi-
..4 can Attack.
FEAR DISEASE OUTBREAK
Caring for Refugees Biggest Problem
,,-o of Admiral Fletcher. Who Has
~ Managed to Restore Order.

s6ssn , - a,-N.cn,na gum,
which were brought ashore from the
"a. fleet in the night. were set up today
s,sf and mounted at strategic points OUTSIDE
the city to prevent any a'tack oy Ihe
kOOo federals who are reported to be
sics:encamped about twenty miles north
souzteest Of Vera Cruz.
- The forces under Capt Edwin A An
derson. of the New Hampshire, which
FTsnhre guarding the southern outskirts
80 ,and the marines and sailors under Col
,bfoaJobn A. lie Joune, who are guarding the
western approaches, were strengthened.
80 0utposts have been established on the
roads leading into the city from the
'"' northwest and vigilant watch is kept by
Be- lissentries Throughout the night search
.d' 1fghts of the ships constantly sweep the
-s.G sandy levels stretching westward from
-"'nothe city proper
Rush Hygiene Work.
The work OF cleaning up the city is
being rushed at the express orders of
Rear Admiral Fletcher, who fears
-osiSoutbreak Of disease unless strict sani-
as -tary measures are adopted. The Mexi-
.gt can dead are being buried in the Vera
LII Cruz. cemetery. burned along Guer-
rero. street The cOrpses that have been
Y burned were unclaimed, The funerals IN
-,orsthe Vera Cruz cemetery were conducted
by relatives friends of the MeXicans
who fell while resisting the advance OF
-the forces OF occupation.
ss.Alo Among the dead are number of
Catholic friars. who turned from the
Ssbosanctuary of their churches to fight the
-s7T1nvaders Armed with rifles. a number
Gstsof the fTiars attached to the old church.
La Parroquia, ascended to the belfry of
this historic pile and fired on the
-americans.
Marines DIsIOdge Friars.
The fighting friars were finally dis
lodged by a detachment of marines un-
der Ensign Townsend. With automatic
pistols in their hands. the marines
stormed the building. their quick-fring
weapons squirting continuous stream of
lead. Those of the friars left alive con-
Quoted the funeral services for the Mex
Van dead today and the solemn chant of
8 ee- funeral service was. heard in many
. ~ adobe, but where the thick incense
- Sasngled with the door of flowers
\ refugee train arrived early today
from Mexico City, and those on board
=Dtad thrilling stories to tell about con-
ditons in the capital and their anxiety
Over the long ride to this port
The seriousness Of the situation at
lamplCo Is increasing a result of the
junction Of federals and constitutionalists
al that point As a result OF wireless
reports detailing conditions there Ad-
mral Sir Christopher Craddock comman-
s;-.der of the British squadron ordered
British Consul HutChison to proceed TO
Tampico forthwith to look after British |
anu PiDl'Sile interests al that point. !
Ships Shelter Refugees.
Rl-oD oDPracticaily all of the Americans Britons
and Germans At that point have gone on |
board warshiDs OF merchantmen
-, - number OF MnXiCans were arrested in !
the forenoon for firing on Red Cross
t.T workers. who We're picking up bodies in |
- the streets or caring for the wounded |
ICd Ehe report was circulated. with the |
evident intention Of turning the popu- |
lace against the Americans that a num- |
Der Of these pr:soners hau been execu- |
:. Ted Capt I'use. chief of staff to Rear
Admiral Fletcher. denied that any pris- i
oners had been put to death But to the |
A2Gvspaper men he said:
1T is not true that any Mexican pris-
oners have been executed. but you may |
credit the chief Of stah as saying that !,
We may have to come to that il these
people continue to murder our men,
s;o1 6,OoC Men Ashore.
Admiral Badger today has nearly 5000 |
htnsalors and marines on shore They are |
dfTided into squads each with a separ- |
- xte task Some cleaning up the city |
uHethers are acting as guards and sentries |
- while others continuing the house |
pfntd house search for hidden 'snipers" |
and secreted war munitions. The work |