The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-01
VERA CRUZ CITIZENS CHEER
DURING TRANSFER OF POWERS
Impressive Ceremonies Witnessed as Admiral
Fletcher Surrenders Control of City to Funs
on...Fleet May Go to Tampco
ny r.. DE l.. SLEvIN.
Special Cable Despotch 10 Tue SrS.

not until the small boats were ap-
preaching the ships did 1t all end. The
navy seemed to think tonight that
they had made n fair impression on
some people anyway.
Robert j. Kerr took another trip in
the barge of Admiral Badger this eve
ming. He took his first trip last week.
Tonight he went as Gov. Rob
ert J. Kerr OF Vera Cruz; last week
he was Kerr the lawyer OF Mexico city
aboard the Mexican steamship Tehuan-
tepec. to which he had fed rs ref
ugee for safety. lie was vastly re-
lieved when he got there. for his situa-
ton had been very perilous. Tonight
he was vastly pleased as the guest Of
the commander In chief.
The transfer was effected on the pier
Of the Muelle de In Sandal. the Health
Department wharf. just north Of the
custom house shed. Admiral Fletcher
and his staff and Gen. Funston and
his stan came from the Terminal Ho-
tel. All were in severe service uni
forms.
Back of the two commanders stood
n battalion of soldiers and the battalion
of marines which will remain ashore.
Then. to the inspiring strains of "a
march. the head Of n column Of $500
young sailors swung into the open plaza.
the men Of the Utah. Arkansas and
Florida mt the right Of the line. As
they appeared refugees by the thou
sands. Spaniards and even MeXicans
who Il week ago were deadly enemies,
broke into cheers.
sailors Quick 10 Leave.
Gen. Funston and his staff came to
attention and the lines back Of them
presented arms. Very quickly the
sailors swept by. breaking line to reach
their whaleboats and the tugs which
were TO take them to their ships The
soldiers remained stiff at attention un-
til the last Of them passed.
Then Admiral Fletcher and his staff
stepped out, wheeled and saluted Gen.
Funston.
| Funston. In his turn. returned the
salute and addressed few words to
the seamen.
The Admiral saluted the General
| again. who returned the salute. and
then one turned to his launch. which
awaited him. and the other marched
TO his new headquarters.
Immediately after leaving shore II
became known that the Admiral had
issued an order earlier In the day
which won him more concentrations
II came forth in the regular routine.
but congratulations were shOwered
upon him from every quarter.
Gen. Funston selected as his head.
quarters the Commandment in which
Gen. Gusravo Mass had his head.
quarters. This is regarded ns more
convenient than the Terminal Hotel, oc-
cupled by the navy. because just back
of II are the military barracks, which
have been cleaned for the occupancy
OF the American soldiers. The head
quarters and the reserve will always
he In close touch. while the patrolling
districts Of the city have direct tele.
phone communication. One regiment
only occupies the barracks tonight, but
as reenfOrcements come tomorrow per
haps and later the new men will find
plenty of room for them.
Destination of Navy Unknown.
What the navy IL to do Is not known
tonight mt Vera Cruz and It rests with
Washington to decide. An important
force will he maintained regularly In
the harbOr. hut 1t is the general i'm,
preston that some Of the big ships will
he sent To convenient points along the
coast or even through the Panama
Canal to be able to reach any place
where need had arisen. 1t Is believed
that Admiral Fletcher ana his squadron
will go to Tampico.
Gen. Funston will conflne himself ia
the military control Of the district
The civil government under Mr.. Kerr
IL now In operation, and the prospects
are 10 bright that Washington IL to he
asked to permit Meyicans to partici
pate more extensively in the govern
ment A request has been made OF
Washington 10 establish United State'
postal savings bank. Not only do the
soldiers avail themselves OF this hui
many American refugees who have
large sums of cash with them are ear