First Move Succeeds.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2, 23 April 1914, Page 5

First Move Succeeds.

CAPTURE OF VERA CRUZ. AMERICANS CALL A HALT. [jdst Electric Telegraph—Copyright] '(United Press association,* 1 Washington, April 21. The first battle in the MexicanAmerican war at Vera Cruz raged short and sharp throughout the afternoon, ending when the Mexican troops fled eastward. Commander-in-Chief, Rear-Admiral Charles J. Badger, commanding the American ships, arrived in the morning and landed a thousand marines, seized the Customs and the transport Prairie, with light armament, and shelling a number of Mexican troops who, from vantage points, attempted to prevent the landing.

HOUSETOP FIGHTING. The Mexicans crowded on the housetops, and poured a desultory fire into the Americans. Admiral. Badger notified the Mexican General Mans that he would use heavy guns unless the Mexicans ceased. The Mexicans then retreated, after a brisk rifle fire; The American flag was hoisted. NO ORGANISED RESISTANCE. Four Americans were killed, and it is believed two hundred Mexicans were killed, but statistics are not available. The resistance was not-or-ganised, owing to the few regular Mexicans available for the purpose. Foreigners were uninjured. Admiral Badger later sailed with the object of landing marines also at Tampico. At a late hour it was reported that order had been restored at Vera Cruz. m The United States does not intend to take any further offensive steps at Vera Cruz for the present, unless forced to. THE AMERICAN DEMANDS.

It is understood that a mere apology will now be insufficient. Washington intends demanding an apology, a salute, and a guarantee that the rights and dignity of America will he respected, otherwise there will bo no withdrawal of troops. The Senate is still sitting, and there is a likelihood of an all-night session. . Many of the senators have suggested that. reparation ought to ho demanded for all Mexican offences against AmericansThe President is conferring frequently with the Cabinet officers. He thinks that war still may be averted, and with that purpose will act slowly in seizing Tampico.

Crowds thronged ■ the streets of Washington until a late hour, cheering the American success. THE PRESIDENT UPHELD. The Senate defeated a substitute resolution by 47 to 35, basing justification for thp use of force upon the general conditions of the can administration. A resolution was passed by 72 to 13 declaring the President was’justified in using armed force to enforce his demands for unequivocal amends for affronts and indignities committed against the United States in Mexico.

CONSPIRING BY MADERO. During the Senate debate, Senator Alden Smith strongly criticised the Presidential attitude towards Mexico, contrasting it with Mr McKinley’s attitude towards Spain. Mr Smith asserted that the present Mexican revolution had been fomented by Madero’s friends, who mot at a New York hotel. They could have been able to prevent the Juarez battle, had they been able to agree to the division of the oil properties. Senator Thomas .wished that all American newspaper editors who so loudly demanded war with Mexico were impressed into service with the army sent to the front.

TO SAVE THE COUNTRY. EDUCATION NECESSARY. London, April 20. The Times, in a leader, says that so long as the Mexicans were left to fight it out among'themselves, the present anarchy and its attendant horrors may continue. Given a restoration, there is nothing in the problem of Mexico that defies solution. Education and the breaking up of big estates are needed.

WHAT HUERTA IS DOING. “ATTEMPT TO LAND AMERICAN MARINES.” Received 9.30 a.m.) London, , April 22. Huerta, in a cable to the Mexican Minister, says: “Wo are fighting against an attempt to disembark American marines. Inform tho British Government.” HEAVY GUNS USED. SNIPING CONTINUES. i (Received 10.35 a.m.) Washington, April 22. Owing to tho continuous rifle fire Ifrom the housetops, the American [warships bombarded tho southern section of Vera Cruz city with heavy

guns. Many buildings are in rums. The desultory fighting continues. THE PRESIDENT’S MOVE. MOBILISATION ARRANGEMENTS (Received 9.10 a.m.) Washington, April 22. The Senate ratified the President’s action in regard to Mexico. There is much comment in Washington on the President dramatically forestalling Congress while the Senate was wrangling over the terms of the resolution. President Wilson intended to prevent Huerta receiving the German consignments of artillery and several million rounds of ammunition. Huerta intended to entiaiu the ammunition, speedily for Mexico City and destroy the railway behind him. .Arrangements are completed to mobolise 250,000 National Guards. EFFECTIVE BOMBARDMENT. DIPLOMACY ABANDONED. (Received 11.30 a.m.) Washington, April 22. There was a very brief but effective bombardment of Vera Cruz in the early morning., Large reinforcements were landed from the American warships. Admiral Fletcher issued a proclamation confirming tho Mexican civil authorities’ power to exercise their authority and asking for their cooperation to restore order. Many bodies are lying in the streets. The city was in darkness throughout the night, the power supply failing. Patrols of bluejackets were established throughout the streets. No non-combatants were injured. The bombardment destroyed numbers of buildings along water front, where tho Mexican sharpshooters were congregated. Huerta has broken off diplomatic relations with the United States, and President *Wilson has ordered Mr O’Shaughnessey, Charge d’Affaires, to withdraw from Mexico City.

THE EFFECT ON WHEAT. PRICES TAKE A JUMP. (Received 11.55 a.m.) Now York, April 22. At Chicago wheat prices jumped on the announcement of hostilities. Speculation was active and stocks steady. AMMUNITION returned to OWNERS. FEARS FOR SAFETY OF AMERICANS. VERA CRUZ NOW TRANQUIL. (Received 1.5 p.m.) Washington, April 22. By arrangement with the German Ambassador, the German steamer bringing ammunition and guns to Mexico returns safely to Germany, restoring the cargo to the owners, despite the fact that the Huortans have paid for it. Grave fears are expressed that the Americans are likely to suffer at the hands of the Mexicans at the oil camps in the interior. The Topila oil companies are directing their employees to return to Tampico. Vera Cruz is now tranquil. FORCES GOING FORWARD. IN FIFTY-TWO SHIPS. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Washington, April 22. The Naval Department has given the total of the force approaching Mexican waters as fifty-two ships with 22,775 men. There are thirty-six ships on the east coast and sixteen on the west. Four thousand marines will soon be ready for immediate landing.