War in Earnest

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 272, 24 April 1914, Page 5

War in Earnest

BOMBARDMENT OF VERA CRUZ.

INTERCEPTION OF HUERTA'S MILT TARY SUPPLIES.

DESTROYS HIS DEFENSIVE PLANS.

REINFORCEMENTS LANDED FROM

AMERICAN WARSHIPS.

DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BROKEN' OFF. l!y Cable —Press Association—Copyright Washington, April 22.

Owing to the continuous rifle fire from the hou-etops the American warships bombarded the southern section of Vera Cruz city with heavy guns. It was a very brief -but effective bombardment.

Large reinforcements were landed from the American warships. Admiral Fletcher issued a proclamation confirming the Mexican civil authorities in the exercise of their authority, and asking their co-operation to restore order. Many bodies were found lying in the streets. The city was in darkness throughouc the night, the power supply failing. Patrols of bluejackets were established throughout the streets. No non-com-batants were injured. The bombardment destroyed a number of buildings along the waterfront, where the Mexican sharpshooters had congre£*ted.

Huerta has broken off diplomatic relations with the United States. President Wilson bas ordered Mr. O'Shaughnessy, American Charge d'Affaires, to withdraw from Mexico City.

The Naval Department has given the total force approaching Mexican water? «s 53 ships and 22,775 men. There are 3< ships on the east coast and lfi •n the west. Four thousand marines will won be ready for immediate landtag.

By arrangement with the German Ambassador, the German- steamer bringing ammmition and guns to Mexico will return safely to Germany, restoring ths -cargo to the owners, despite the faet -that the Huertans have paid for it. Grate fears are expressed that the Anteri«ans are likely to sutler at the hands of Mexicans in the oil camps in the interior. The Topila Oil Company ■s directing their employees to return to Ta*pico. •

Vera Cruz is now tranquil. New York, April 22.

At Chicago wheat prices jumped on the announcements of hostilities. Speculation is active, but stocks are steady. London, April 22.

Huerta has caUed to the Mexican Minister: "We are fighting against an attempt to disembark American marines. Inforn the British Government." There has been much comment in Washington on the President dramatically forestalling Congress, while the Senate was -wrangling on the terms of its resolution.

Mr. Wilson intended to prevent Biierta receiving the German eonsig/i----nents of artillery and several million rounds of ammunition. Huerta intended to entrain the ammunition speedily (or Mexico City and to destroy the railway behind. Arrangements are completed to mobilise 256,000 National Guards.

THE SEX ATE DEBATE.

PRESIDENT MEETS CRITICISM.

"RUSHING THE COUNTRY INTO

WAR."

WHY THE CUSTOMHOUSE WAS SEIZED. Received 23, 6.20 p.m. Washington, April 22.

In the Senate debate on the resolution authorising the use of armed force tgainst Mexico, Senator Root said that if a salute were all that stood between the United States and poor, distracted Mexico, the occasion was painfully inadequate for the Americans' deaths. Was a form or ceremony of a salute to justify the sacrifice of American lives? "We are invoking war, and how long it will continue nobody knows." Other Senators criticised President Wilson, charging him with rushing the country into war. It is reported that 200 cannon and a (uantity of ammunition, intended for Huerta, were being landed at Vera Cruz, this being the reason for the prompt •ciztvre of the Customhouse.

CAP.RANZA COMES OS THE SCENE "HUERTA IS AN IMPOSTOR." .-srrxiESTS amkrica apply to HIM. Received 23, 0.35 p.m. Mexico City, April 23.

Otieral Carraiiwi declares that Hueria will not fight or give any reparation to the United States, as he is merely a usurper. Carranza invites President Wilson to withdraw his forces and to spplr instead to him for reparation.

TAMPICO WILL BE LEFT.

WILL NOT BE BOMBARDED.

Received 23, 9.35 p.m. Washington, April 23,

President Wilson las decided not to withdraw the United State* Charge d'Affaires from Mexico nntil the last povaible moment. It is nrt intended to bombard o)' cap-

lIUERTA lIASTUXS A CRISIS

AMERICA'S REIT.F.SENTATIVE GIVEN HI- PASSPORTS.

Received 23. lii..m p.m. Mcxivo ;'ily, April 23,

Mr. O'Shaughneisy. tin United States Charge" (TAffaires, ha-; bevii handed his passports by Huerta. an.! is preparing to leave Mexico City.

CARIIAN!'..' 'S ro.'.ir.SHELf

A NEW CnNDiTION Or- THINGS,

TAKES UP THE CAUSE OF THE N'ATION.

Received 22, 10.10 p.m. Washington, April 22.

Carranza's demand to be considered as the head of the Mexican Republic proved a bombshell to the President, who immediately called a Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation.

General Witherspoon. recently appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Army, was not called to the consultation. It 13 believed that the question oi mobilising the army is being considered.

The State Department believes that Carranza's protest means war, as the tone of the letter indicates that the Constitutionalists view America's action at Vera Cruz as directed against the Mexican nation.

Tranquility at Vera Cruz has been restored. Eight Americans were killed. and a paymaster on the British cruiser Essex was injured by a bullet.