The Prague Record (Prague, Okla.), Vol. 11, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1914 Page: 3 of 8
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PRAGUE, OKLA.. RECORD
I
AMERICANS DIE
li FIRST BUTTLE
FOUR DEAD: TWENTY WOUNDED
IN THE CAPTURE OF
VERA CRUZ.
MEXICAN LOSS ESTIMATED 200
Bluejacket3 Diive Federals Back In
All-Day Skirmish, and Now Hold
a Large Part of the City—The
• Prairie Takes Part.
PRES.WILSON READS HIS MESSA6E
MAKES CLEAR HIS ATTITUDE IN
TAMPICO AFFAIR.
Disclaims Any Intention of GrabblnQ
Territory or lll-WIII to the
People of Mexico.
Vrra Cruz.—Vera Cruz is in the
hands of forces of the United States
warships but the occupation of the
port was not accomplished without
loss cf American lives.
Four Americaus, bluejackets ar.d
marines, were killed by the tire of
the Mexican soldiers and twenty fell
wounded. The Mexican loss is not
known, but it is believed to have been
heavy, eistimates having placed it at
about 200.
The Mexican commander, General
Gustavo Maas, offered n stubborn re-
sistance to the American advance
and for many hours there was fight-
ing in the streets. Toward nightfall
the main body of the federal garrison
retreated to the westward.
Rear Armiral Fletcher, command-
ing the United States warships pre-
faced his occupation of the port of a
demand through the American consul
W. W. Canada, for its surrender.
General Maas promptly declined to
accede to this demand and shortly
afterwards ten whale-boats were sent
ofT from the side of the transport
Prairie* loaded with marines.
These boats effected a landing in
the neighborhood of the customs
house before noon and a few minutes
later Captain William R. Rush of the
battleship Florida, who was in com
mand oi the shore operations, brought
his flag in.
Captain Rush's men already had
taken up their positions. They num-
bered 150 blueajckets from the Flor-
ida, 390 marines from the Prairie and
65 marines from the Florida. Later
these were augmented by a detach-
ment from the Utah.
The coining of the American forces
was not heralded by any great ex
citement, but small crowds gathered
to watch the landing. Soon the blue
jackets and marines marched through
the streets leading from the. water
front and along the railroad yards.
Others proceeded to the American
consulate, while still others were de-
ployed along the approaches to Cen
tral plaza in which General Maas had
concentrated his men.
These maneuvers were effected
without opposition, but suddenly Gen
eral Maas challenged the advance
•with the first shots- a volley fired
from a point three blocks from the
marines and two blocks from the
main plaza. The marines replied im
mediately but the action censed in a
moment Tluire W«UJ u lull for ten
minutes and then another brief ex-
change from the west end of Monte
sin os street, where a federal out poet
was stationed.
Artillery Turned Loose.
At 12:30 I he firing became general
and at 1 o'clock the guns of the Prairie
went into action.
Prior to this a detachment, of blue-
jackets from the Utah, holding the
ground between the consulate and the
water front, opened with two of their
three-inch guns The first shots from
these pieces were directed against the
ancient Reuito Juarez tower, which
once served as a lighthouse. This
was occupied by Mexican sharpshoot-
ers. Lieutenant-Commander Ruchan-
an of tbe Florida ordered that it be
destroyed Ffrve shots brought the old
tower down.
The womm of the Amrrlrun colon,
in Vera Crux hail bwn placed aboard
the chartered itewrn Bnperanu. Mid
Mexico, but the lorclgn colony, especi-
ally the American aectlon, wan great-
ly augmented when three trainloado
arrived from tho capital. Some of
these remained aehore, but munv were
taken aboard tho eteamem Ho fat as
can be learned ao refugees were in
Jured.
After General Mass had been driven
from bis position is Central Plaza,
the Americans found themselves the
object of fusillades from house tc
house, most of I hose engaged in this
resistance being civilians. hey sta-
tioned themselves at points of van
tage and did much to prolong tbe
action.
This withdrawal, however, was not
entirely premeditated. Those watch-
ing on the ships observed through
their glasses a largo force of Mexicans
moving over the hill" In the western
outskirts of the city, apparently with
the Intention of flanklug a battalion
of marines in the railway yards and
.ilong Montesinos street, which runs
eait and west, not far from the Amer-
ican consulate.
Immediately the five Inch guns of the
Prairie belched forth breaking tbe
Mexican formation and causing a haslv
r treat. This ended the Hanking oper
itlons Only a lew minutes before
the tbree-iiH'h guns of the Prairie
a ere used effectively near shore A
small detachment of Mexicans hn«
Mined positions near the customs
house and their concealed marksmen
were causing some trouble. A few
:ihots from the Vralrle's guns silenced
them From time to time the same
«uns plaved lh«kr shells along Ihe line
of the shore, kooplng the territory
oomparntivelj reo of sharpshooter*
toe
301
Washington.—Following his usual
custom. President Wilson appeared in
person, and read his message on the
Mexican situation, lie said:
"Gentlemen of the Congress:
"It la my duty to tall your attention to
a situation which lias arisen In our deal-
ings with General Vietoriana Huerta at
Mexico c'lty which rails for action and
to ask your advice and co-operation in
acting upon it. On the ninth of April a
payinuster of the 1*. S. S. I'olphin landed
at the iturhide bridge at Tampi«o with
a whaleb Ht and boat's crew to take off
certain supplies needed b> his ship, and
while actively engaged in loading the
boat was arrested by an officer and squad
of men of the army of General Huerta.
Neither the paymaster or any one of the
boat's crew was arnwd. Two of the men
were in the boat when tin arrest took
place and were obllyed to leave it and
submit to be taken into custody; not-
withstanding the fact that the boat car-
ried, both at her bow and at her stern
the flag of the t'nited States The offl-
cer who made the arrest was proceed-
ing up one of the streets of the town
with nis prisoners when met by an offic-
er <>f higher authority, who ordered him
to return to the landing ami await or-
ders, and within an hour and a half from
the time of the arrest orders were re-
ceived from the commander of the llu-
ertista forces at Tampan for the release
of the paymaster and his men.
Huerta Makes Excuse*
"The release was followed by apolo-
gies from the commander and later by
an expression of regret by General Hu-
erta. himself. General Huerta urged
that martial law obtained .it the time
at Tampico; that orders had been Issued
that no one should be allowed to land
at the Iturblde bridge: and that our
sailors had no right to land there.
Gur naval commanders at the port had
not been notified of any such prohibi-
tion. and, even if th?y had been, tlu- onlj
justifiable course open to the local auth
orities would have been to request the
pavmaster and his crew to withdraw and
to "lodge a> protest with the commanding
officer of tlie fleet. Admiral Mayo re* '
garded the arroj-t as so serious an affront
that be was not satisfied with the apol-
ogies offered but demanded that the flap
of the t'nited States be salued with spe-
cial ceremonv by the military comman-
der of the port.
Premeditated Insults
"The incident cannot be regarded as s
triviul one. especially as two of the men
arrested were taken from the boat Itself
—that Is to sav, from tbe territory ol
the t'nited Saes. but had it stood by It-
self. it might have been attributed to the
Ignorance or arrogance of a single offi-
cer. I'nfortunately it was not an iso-
lated case. A scries of incidents recently
have occurred which cannot but create
tbe impression that tlu; representative*
of General Huerta were willing to go out
of tbe way to show disregard for th
filtv ami rights of this govr
felt perfectly safe in doing
pleased, making fre
ways their Irritate
HOUSE. BY AN ALMOST UNANI-
MOUS VOTE. AUTHORIZES
USE OF ARMY AND NAVY.
Boxing Exhibitions
t and
hat they
to sh
and contempt
"A few days after the Incident at 1;
plco an orderlv from the U. S. S. Minne-
sota was arrested at Vera Cruz while
ashore in uniform to obtain the ship p
mail ami was for a time thrown into jail.
An official dispatch from the government
to the embassy at .Mexico City was with-
held bv the authorities of the telegraph
service until peremptorily demanded b;
our charge In the affairs in person.
"So far as I can learn such wrong
and annoyance have been suffered to oc
cur onlv against representatives of th
United States. I have heard no com
plaints from other governments of simi-
lar treatment. Subsequent explanatl. — -
and formal apologies did not alter
popular impression which it is possible
has been the object of the Huertista
authorities to create that tbe governn
of the t'nited States was being singled
out and might be singled out with im-
punitv for sliRhts and affront in retalia-
tion fur its refusal to recognize the pre-
tensions of General Huerta to be regard-
ed as the constitutional provisional pres-
ident of the republic of Mexico.
Would Prevent War.
"The manifest danger of such a sltu-
ation aras mi i. "it.-... 1 ■
bad to worse until something happens of
so gn.: . and intolerable a sort as to lead
directly and inevitably to armed conflict.
It was necessary that the apologies of
General Huerta and his representative
should go much further, that they
should be such as to attract the atten-
tion of the whole population to their
significance and such as to impress upon
General Huerta himself tbe necessity of
seeing to it that no further occasion for
explanations and professed regrets should
arise I therefore felt It my duty to
sustain Admiral Mayo in the whole of
his demand and to insist that the flag
of the t'nited should be saluted in such
a wuv as to indicate a new spirit and at-
titude on the part of the Huertlstas
"Such a salute General Huerta has
refused and I have come to ask your
approval and support In the course I now
purpose to pursue.
"This government can. 1 earnestly
hope, in no circumstances be forced into
war with the people of Mexico. Mexico
Is torn by civil strife. If we are to ac-
cept the tests of its own constitution.
It has no government. General Huerta
has set his power up in tbe City of Mex-
ico, such as it Is, without right and by
methods for which there can be no Jua-
tion.
READS MESSAGE TO BOTH HOUSES
Detailing, Offenses of the Huerta De
Facto Government Against the
Honor and Dignity of the
U. S. Government.
Washington.—After a spirited de-
bate of more than two hours the
house passed the administration res-
olution approving President Wilson's
purpose to use the armed forces of
the nation to obtain from General
Huerta the fullest recognition of the
honor and dignity of the United
States.
The vote was 337 to 37. The reso
lution was passed and wes sent to
the senate. Almost immediately it
was referred to the senate foreign
relations committee and the commit-
tee agreed to report the resolution
with the preamble to read: "in view
of the situation presented by the
president," and eliminating individual
reference to Huerta throughout the
measure. Thus, it passed the senate.
Those who voted against the res-
olution in the house were:
Democrats—George, Kindel, Sisson,
Stephens (Miss.) and Witherspoon—5.
Republicans—Ainey, Anderson, An-
thony, Hartholdt, Britten, Butler
Campbell, Davis, Fordney, French,
Gardner. Gillett, Good. Hayes, Howell,
Johnson (Utah) Johnson (Wash.),
Kahn. Lang ham, Lafollette, Madden,
Mann. Mondell, Piatt, Sells. Steener-
son, Stephens (Minn.), Volsted and
Woods—29.
Progressives — Bell (Calif.) and
Temple—2.
Independent—Kent—1.
In an atmosphere of suppressed ex
citement, reflecting grave tension and
patriotic fervor, the president of the
United States asked congress in per-
son for approval of his purpose to use
the army and navy to force General
Huerta to apologize f*r indignities
offered to the Americaft government.
New Orders for Forces.
- ■*-;
PRAGUE, OKLA.,
TUESDAY,
April 28,8:30p.m.
Alva Young,
Of Okemah
vs
Guy
Elliott,
Prague.
Friendship for Mexico
"But I earnestly hope that war la not
now in question I believe that I speak
for the American people when 1 say we
do not desire to control In any degreee
the affairs of our sister republic. Our
feeling for the people of Mexico Is one of
deep and genuine friendship and every-
thing we have so far done or refrained
from doing has proceeded from our de-
sire to help them, not to hinder or em-
barass them.
"No doubt I could do what Is neces-
ry in the circumstances to enforce re-
spect for our government without re-
course to the congress and yet not ex-
ceed mv constitutional powers as presi-
dent; but I do not wish to act on a mat-
t«« of so gra\e consequence except In
close conference and co-operation with
both the senate and house 1 therefore
come to ask your approval lhat I should
use the armed forces of the United
States In such ways and to such extent
as mav be necessary to obtain from Gen-
eral Huerta and his advocates the full-
est recognition of the rights and dig-
nity of the United States, even ag tnst
the distressing conditions now unhappily
obtaining In Mexico.
"There can, In what we do. be no
thought of aggression or of selfish ag
grandltement We seek to maintain the
dignity and authority of the United
States only because we wish always to
keep our great Influence unimpaired for
the uses of liberty, both In the United
States and wherever else It may be em-
ployed for the benefit of mankind."
Civilian Soldiers May See Service.
Washington-Prompt organization
of a volunteer army for service In
Mexico, would be provided for in
hause bill passed by the senate. The
bill would revise the law under which
a volunteer force was organized for
the 8panlih American war in 1898. Its
authors claim thst a volunteer fores
could be raised more quickly than un
der the legislative law, that It would
prevent payment of bounties, would
do away with a short term of enlist
nient by making the terms of volun
tesrs the same as the regular army,
While congress deliberated and Ma
jorit Leader Underwood urged prompt
action so if American forces were
fired on they would be free to act, the
executive branch of the government
issued orders to the army ami navy
with systematic regularity.
The army was cautioned to be on
the alert and active preparations to
use the militia as volunteer forces in
case of further emergency were be-
gun. The war ships of the navy were
ordered to concentrate on Tampico
and Vera Cruz as their objective.
Plans were made to seize these porU#
Auiuilcan merchant vtoodb cr
dered out of Mexican harbors and
there was a long session of the joint
board of the army and navy, partici-
pated in by Admiral Dewey, Major
General Wood and Major General
Wotherspoon after which it was an-
nounced that the army and navy were
prepared for instant action.
Blockade Planned.
Measures "short of war" are
planned by the president, such as the
seizure of the customs houses, the
occupation of coast towns, the taking
of Mexican warships and a blockade
of Mexico's commerce with the United
States. When the president laid the
situation before the cabinet in a two-
hour session, Counselor Lansing of
the state department s*t at the table
telling In detail of the precedent upon
which the administration's action it
now has been decided will be based.
It happened in 1864 when the cap
tain of an American war vessel was
ordered by President Pierce to Blue-
fields, Nicaragua, t© secure reparation
for insults to the American minister.
The town was held by rebels who had
not been recognized by the United
States. It was bombarded by the
American ships three times and Anal-
ly the American officer went ashore
with his men and burned the town.
No lives were lost.
Not Seeking More Territory.
Mr. Wilson realizes that any actios
which the United Stales might take
might be construed by Huerta as a
military operation sufficient to pro-
voke war. but in everything said he
emphasized that it was not the part
powerful nation such as the
United States to declare war os a
weaker neighbor especially on a sim-
A Good, Clean, Classy
Exhibition For Points.
10 FAST ROUNDS 10 Seats on Sale at Tucker's.
ADMISSION:
Ringside Seats
Reserved Seats
$1.00
.75 - .50
Additional
NeigiilJOiliGOd
News Items.
0 Arlington Local Items, f
Mrs. Cecil Tabor and little son
has been visiting her parents,
Mr. and Mrs M. B. Dean, for
the past week.
Mr. George Fouquett and fam-
ily visited at the Hillman home
Sunday.
Verajand Roena Barrett stay-
ed over night at the Steward
home Thursday night.
Mr. M. B. Dean and wife, Mr.
and Mrs. Earn Barrett and child-
ren, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Roby
Milas Sanders visited at the E.
Dobkins home Sunday.
Paye Dobkins stayed over
night with Burchie Lewis, Tues-
night.
Jeff Roby, wife and children
visited at the Frank Fouquett
home, Sunday.
Mrs. Anna Roby and baby vis-
ited her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Earnest Dobkins last week.
Frank Johnson and wife stay-
ed over night with Bill Hardesty
by'clrlTttrife* C°U,"rV ,0n> and wife Saturday night.
The present's misfits:? indiarted ' Earl Seward and family visited
cltarlv that nhouid war result the j j^rs Dowling Saturday and
United StateB would not seek to add
to Its territorial confines. j Sunday.
j Mrs. Lewis and daughter, Em-
Rebai Chiefa Meat After Four veara. mai called on Mrs. Earn Barrett
Saturday evening.
Marie Boydstun visited at the
Smith home Sunday
Claudie Barrett and Thelma
Dobkins visited Emu. Lewis*
Mrs. Hack Lee called at
Dobkms home Tuesday.
the
Mrs. May Turner and baby
left Monday afternoon for Meek-
er.
**+++•1++++• +++++++++++++++
+ Tomer School Notes. +
->-+++11 >♦+++•*■:- + M- -++T++++++
Hazel Fawcett dined with
Dora Cook Sunday.
Bessie Trammell dined with
Nancy Thompson Sunday.
Georgia Martin is attending
school at Garden Grove.
Robert Nipper and wife visit-
ed her parents, J. E. Martins
Sunday.
Clarence Nipper of Van Zant
attended church at this place
Sunday.
Willie Stricklin and wife of
Lakeside visited Polk Stricklin
and wife Sunday
Mrs. Tucker Thompsons moth-
er and brother, of Arkansas, are
visiting with her for a fortnight
Rev. W L. Johnson filled his
regular appointment at this
place Sunday and Sunday night.
COMING AND GOING
wife
last ;
■aun-
W m.
from
Perhaps You Know Them
Perhaps You Don't
N .
by
Barg. Store,
subscribing
Chihuahua—With many fateful
question* dealing with the revolution
aud foreign affaire before them, Gen-
eral Carrantft and General Francisco
Villa met formally here It was their
first meeting in four years, Carranta
first having met the military leader
when, fresh from outlawry, he was a I gunday-
leader of one of the Francisco 1 Ma- , , j -v, )rlrt.n
dero'a revolutionary bands The meet Mrs. Ola Jsanford •*
lng had every appearance of friendii-are visiting her sister, Mrs. Had-
nns and Villa made a point of r - | ,
(erring to Carrnoza as bin chift I uen-
Bargain
Save money
for the Re' ord.
C.(i .Bratiheap. was in Prague,
trading, Monday.
Frank Donnelly went to
Guthrie last Saturday.
Geo. E. Long was down from
Arlington, last Saturday.
E. F. 1'ruegert was tip from
his Seminole farm Saturday.
Rememlx r the tiecord office
wheji you want good printing!
Full line of automobile sup-
plies at tht Ret ord Garage.
"Uncle' Jake Zeigler, of Fall-
en was in fragile last Saturday.
M. Baize and
shopping in Tragin
day.
Harrison Kyker arid
Tucker have returned
Ringling.
A. P. Slover and family vis-
ited in Shawnee since our last
issue last week.
0. V. Humphry of Mt. Hope
was transacting business in
Prague, Monday.
Misses Lola and .Mary <'ox of
Lakeside were shopping in
Prague Tuesday.
P. W. Bollinger transacted
business in Kansas, several
days last week
Last Saturday was a record
breaking day for crowds of
farmers in Prague.
F. R. Vlasak and wife left
Monday for Ringling, where
they will make their home.
Mrs. John (ireenburg arrived
from Boswell, Sunday to join
her husband in this city.
Don't be alarmed about the war,
but buy your dress goods at
the New York Bargain Store.
M. B. Dftss anil wife, of Shaw-
nee, were the guests of Emmet
O'Kane and family, Sunday.
Will Hudspeth, F. R., F. L.,
and Joe Vlasak left this week
for Ringling and Wilson, Oklu.
Miss Mattio Roberta completed
most sueeessful term of school
in the Mt. Hope district, last
Friday.
Chat. Day, one ol the piogres
sive farmers of the Bellmont
neighborhood, w as on our streets
Monday.
War has been declared and the
New York Bargain Store is
slaughtering prices on merchan-
dise. Read the ad on the back
page.
Miss Nettie Hull has returned
to Stroud where she is an opur-
ator for theTelephone Exchange*
at that place.
NEW TIME
Ft. S. & W.
'V
a. mi.
CARD.
R. R.
No. 5, west liound, 7:07
No. it, east bound, 10:28 a. rn.
No. 1, westbound, 1:57 p. m.
No. ti, east liound, 7:15 p. ru.
The above schedule is for trains
arriving at Prague. For farther
particulars concerning connections
at junctions with other lines,
for rates and tariff sheets, call on
or address, p. r„
C. A. GRIPE, Local Agent,
Prague, Okla.
AN°ftfC COUPON
.<« MACHINE
FfrigM Paid « 38 Dm Free Trit
Yee, the fnmnuH UnBMtii' ttturlDA MrxhiuA,
or over uO *ear the favnrite. leuert
<>I*"I<mm. llwhto t running. Mt lMite
:i,| e .fill nU un 1 u.lji «li.. 'iiM, killppod tu jam
once to thirty dajs tut your vurj ktvu
Don't PwtW CMmrbHmnt
r be bothered with unwelcome apewr ml'otta-
tioe; wad direct to us ti... m ami mttf
e«oere. ffetthn rcliuHe lAmjo-tk. U*. atae*.
erd nig aechlne cd w«r M UU
(t&oo DOMESTIC & Ml
If youMndatonoo. H*n4m>m«et flnmh; iMtmn
ttttuvui mll'Utmrnl for t-h k or cktti* slUWk IxnH
etel iln-p head, perfectly belanued. r*er>
thud any other ux hiuo h«« Nfcl k>* !• >.<
wlf
IBI afl t|
t«*4dee.
foil* witlaAed rayl
c*« bewie tewing on it neit w.Hik, for
Mi Uw cwtMn—m'I! Mad IN **c* «e.
Domestic Sewing Ma«hln« Co.,
••7 Defweeil* •!«*.. Hentehew. IH.
PlftMA ship me «t once on 30 iln a' frost m.pmvel
lent (all frviuht chancre |mld) alairo lltii ir«i d
iMjwmtin Hewln« Macbin*. r>«v.ar Brio* U>
me VIA. If It leaetiaf* tnry 1 wtTl i-uy rorVt in ,Mb
f t en >our easy Inatalltnen' of &0 oonta a
week or Bemoeth. Toiave <ln!ay in vi iUum reroi
r< en at-i.d ahm. If po^ible, latter of rvoomiunud*
Uoo fr. • your bunker, cromn Bm>i> or «>«|r
busiueaa maa who know* you If yoo <ia#>eot «k
• hie, reference* will b« Mlinfaot >ri. JIouu.ujUm,
thla will save all delay In
I'fgnttl
!~n
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Nipper, Frank S. The Prague Record (Prague, Okla.), Vol. 11, No. 41, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1914, newspaper, April 23, 1914; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc147722/m1/3/: accessed April 16, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.