Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 163, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 July 1914 — Page 3

FLETCHER’S OWN STORY OF FALL OF VERA CRUZ

Admiral’s Report Made Public by V the Department. . PRAISES WORK OF THE NAVY Declares That the ‘Efficiency and Spirit of Officers and Men Brought Speedy Conclusion—How Final Advance Was Made. Washington.—Rear Admiral Fletcher’s own story of the taking of Vera Cruz was made public by the navy department here. The report, dramatic despite its official tenor, covers the whole action from the receipt of Presi-; dent Wilson's cablegram early in the morning of April 21 ordering the seizure of the Vera Crus customs house to the complete pacification of the city. The report shows that the American naval forces had studied a plan of seizing Vera Cruz even before the order came from President Wilson. When the command came the landing of the marines and seamen and the occupation of the city followed swiftly and surely. Admiral Fletcher gives unstinted praise for the discipline and spirit pt the officers and men under him. Rear Admiral Fletcher's report follows: “When ' the cablegram of 8 a tn. .April 21 to seize the customs house was received the following officers were in my cabin: Capt W. R. Rush, V. S. N., pommandlng naval brigade; Capt H.

Rear Admiral Fletcher.

McL. P. Huse, U. S. N., chief of staff; Commander H. O. Stlcknqy, U. 8. N., commanding Prairie; Lieut. CoL W. C. Neville, U. 8. M. C., commanding marine regiment They had been called on board to be informed of the situation and to assure me that the plans previously prepared for the employment of the naval forces against Vera Crus were understood by y them, and that they were prepared to carry them out “The method of procedure adopted was to land marines from the Prairie, Florida and Utah, and the seaman battalion from the Florida, and to seize the custom house, railway terminal and. cable office. TJhe seaman battalion of the Utah was held on board awaiting news of the Yplranga. “At 10:30 a. m. the Prairie report ed, ‘Am ready,' and I directed Captain Rush to land his brigade and carry out orders. “The following signal was sent to the Prairie at 10:50 a. m.: ‘Land and take pier No. 4; be prepared to cover landing by necessary gunfire.' At 11:45 a. m. the Prairie signaled, ‘Battalion has shoved off.' The landing force of the Florida shoved off at the same time and was joined by the Panama contingent of marines from the Utah. This made a total force of 787 officers and men, of whom 502 were marines, all under the command of Cdpt William R. Rush, U. 8. N., captain of the Florida. “At 11:55 a. m. Rush signaled, ‘Telegraph and post office occupied and doing business as ever.* This was followed by: ‘Firing in town; ho casualties as yet,' and at 12:21 p. m.: ‘Commenced firing on shore; federate have commenced firing on U. 8. troops.* “Again at 12:30 p. m. Rush signaled, ‘One thousand men with machine guns reported in this vicinity; desultory firing at intervals; hurry Utah's troops. I signaled Utah: ‘Send your battalion ashore; urgent; you may steam in. closers* At 12:41 p. m. Rush reported his first casualties. • “Immediately on landing the marine regiment, under Lieutenant Colonel Seville, advanced up Calio de Montesl-' nos, seizing the cable office and detaching one company to seize the power plant north of the terminal station and to cover approaches from the westward along the railroad tracks. The bead of the marine column had advanced to Avenue Bravo when, at 11:57, wese fired into from aQ directions.

“The nmnnea' Cott dhtomntic guns went into action at Independence, Cinco’de Mayo, Cortes, Hidalgo and Bravo, and cleared these streets immediately. The men took positions in front of warehouses, lining the north side of Montesinos and fired at the enemy, who had occupied the housetops, windows and towers on the opposite side of the street The marine regiment was then ordered not to advance, but to hold its original position. “In the meantime the Florida seaman battalion, under Lieutenant Wainwright had advanced and seized the customs house and customs warehouse, post office and railroad terminal. They were under steady fire from the enemy in houses in Benito Juarez and Morelos streets, which was returned. The artillery section of Florida went Into action in front of the American consulate and shelled the enemy out of the old lighthouse tower on Benito Juarez street When the first report of casualties was received the Solace was ordered from Tampico to Verp Cruz by radio. “At 1 p. m. I repaired aboard the Prairie with Captain Huse and Lieutenant Courts of my staff, and from this point directed Joint operations ashore and afloat. The Prairie opened fire at 1:10-p. m. with three-inch gun on the enemy’s mounted troops in the sandhills beyond the city. Indirect fire was used with a church tower as a point of aim, range 2,500 to 3,000 yards. The second shot fell among their troops and drove them .beyond the sandhills. “Sharpshooters in the naval school building and the new market had been firing steadily on pier No. 4, where all of our boats were landing. Chief Boatswain McCloy, in charge of three picket launches, armed with onepounder guns, put out from pier No. 4 and steamed full speed around the end of fiscal pier, directly toward the naval school building.

“When within a few hundred yards the launches opened fire simultaneously with one-pounders at the windows of the naval academy. They thus drew the fire of the Mexican forces along that section of the water front but located their position for the Prairie, which Immediately opened fire with three-inch battery over the heads of the launches, silencing the fire of the Mexicans in that section of the city. "The picket launches in their gallant dash were hit many times with rifle bullets and three times with onepounder shell from the naval academy. Chief Boatswain McCloy was wounded In the leg and one was fatally wounded. 1 "3 ,p. m.—l did not desire to force the fighting throagh the city and use the guns of the ships as long as there existed a reasonable chance to avoid this severe measure. Every effort was being made to get into communication with the Mexican authorities, both direct and through the American consul, and to represent to them the futility of further resistance on their part and the serious consequences that would ensue. “Any further advance at this time of the day would have brought the fighting into the most densely populated part of the city after nightfall. It was, therefore, decided to hold our present position. "Desultory firihg continued until midnight, with occasional shots throughout the night. "At 9 p. m. the San Francisco entered the harbor and anchored 300 yards north of the Prairie. It Immediately landed its battalion of two seaman companies, which reported to the brigade commander ashore. The Chester entered the harbor at 15:05 a. m., April 22, and anchored off Sanldad pier. Its battalion of seamen and marines was landed immediately. At 1 a. m. censorship was established over the cable station. “Rear Admiral Badger with five battleships of his fleet came td anchor in the outer harbor and with my chief of staff I repaired on board the flag-

OLDEST AND YOUNGEST AT WEST POINT

At the graduation exercises of the United States military academy at West Point thia year the oldest graduate of the academy was H. W. Gibson, class of 1847, and the youngest was G. W. Weissenhelmer of this year’s class.

THE EVENING- REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

- ■ 'y. -- V - . ■ ship at 2:45 a. m. After explaining the situation to the admiral, he decided to land his forces‘and the seaman and marine battalions of the Arkansas. New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan and New Jersey, landed at 4 a. m., under cover* of darkness and promptly moved to their assigned positions joining the organization oh shore. "Early In the morning of April 22 efforts to get in communication with the authorities were renewed. By eight o’clock it was definitely ascertained that the firing of the enemy was not under organized control or acting under the direction of competent authority. “The marine forces advanced through all the streets to the north of Aveulda Independenela, where they were met with heavy rifle and machine gun fire from houses, hotels, hospital, church steeples and military barracks. They advanced slowly, clearing houses and roofs at snipbrs and entering every house in every block as they advanced. , - “The second seaman regiment under Captain Anderson, U. S. navy, was marched toward the waterfront and in front of the new market, naval school and artillery barracks. In crossing the open ground between the naval school and: Benito Juarez lighthouse, about three hundred and fifty yards in width, they were met by a heavy rifle, one-pounder and* machine gun fire from the naval school building. “This situation-looked'critical. The Chester, Prairie and San Francisco simultaneously opened fire with threeinch, four-inch and five-inch batteries against the second story of the naval school building. In a short time the upper story was riddled by 40 shots and the fire silenced. "Our forces advanced steadily through the city, entering houses from which they were being fired upon and disarming the occupants. The Chester, from a favorable position commanding the southern part of the'city, shelled the enemy out of houses along the water front, old Fort Santiago, and from the vicinity of the military barracks. By 11 a. m. our forces were in complete possession of all parts of the city and fighting had practically ceased. “The following signal was sent to the cruisers Chester, Prairie, San Francisco, and to brigade headquarters on shore: '“The division commander desires to express his appreciation and admiration for the splendid and efficient work of the naval brigade in their capture of the city of Vera Cruz, and the efficient support given them by the cruisers in the harbor reflect a great credit on the accuracy of fire of their gunners. “'FLETCHER.' “The Atlantic fleet under command of Rear Admiral Badger approached the harbor of Vera Cruz on the night, of April 21 at full speed, §ll ready to land, and came to anchor in the outer harbor several hours ahead- of the expected time. lam not allowed to commend my superior officer, but I think it only proper to say in this report that Rear Admiral Badger during the naval operations on shore at Vera Cruz afforded me the most prompt and willing assistance and my slightest request or recommendation or call for aid was in All cases met with immediate compliance. It is a great pleasure for me to record the thoroughly fine and generous spirit that was shown by him and his staff in their hearty support of the work on shore. “The work of the three vessels, Chester (Commander Moffett), Prairie (Commander Stickney), and San Francisco (Commander Harrison), in supporting our troops on shore was most effective and is deserving special praise. Initiative and clear judgment were required on the part of the commanding officers and the results showed in a striking manner the efficiency of the ships under their commands."

THE DEUCE SHE DID

By OPIE READ.

Considering the fact that she was young and handsome, she was 'regarded as exceptionally - earnest. To 'write for a newspaper was her ambition, and all she wanted was a chance. Finally a chance came. John Ferron had been charged with defrauding a building association out of >5,000. The amount was not large; Ferron was not a prominent man; the case was good only for a “stick full,” and it was given to the new girl. The suspected- culprit had been placed under bonds and could be found at his boarding house, the city editor told her. She was elated. Instantly she had become a factor of the great city. She thought of her home in the country, the dull life, the daily complaint of the neighbors, the dead eternity of non-eventfulness. Ferron was in his room when a servant brought a card bearing the name of “Miss Eva Smith.” That was all; nothing to Indicate her business; but at this Ferron took fright, supposing that she might be another one of 'those “defrauded” home-seekers. He sighed distressfully apd, with the resignation which comes when sometimes we have reached the limit of calamity, he told the servant to let her come in. The visitor's fresh and engaging face for a moment drove calamity back into the dark corner. Ferron flopped ont of his chair and invited her to sit down. She did, with a smile, glancing about the room, at the cheap books on a shelf, at the picture of a boy at a well, drinking out of an old oaken bucket; at a stuffed owl on a bracket, and -then she looked at Ferron. She had expected to see an oldish man, lean and fox-like. She was surprised to see a young fellow, curly of hair and handsome. “I’m afraid I’ve come cm unpleasant business,” she said. He sm|led. “No matter what your business may be, your coming is pleasant,” he replied. “Thank you." -4— — - “Not at all.” For a time they sat looking at each other. He cleared his throat. "I believe you said something "about unpleasant business.” “Yes; I am a reporter, and —” “Is that so unpleasant? If it is, why don’t you quit ft?" “Oh, reporting isn’t unpleasant — it’s charming. But I have come to interview you.” » “Interview me! I have already been interviewed by a justice of the peace and have been bound over. Ah! what do you want me to say?”

“Oft, just anything. You might—well, say something to defend yourself, you know." “But that wouldn’t do any good. I am already half-way condemned.'* “But it might keep you from being condemned the other half." He leaned back in his chair and laughed. She laughed too, and then she told him that he did not look guilty. He thanked her and replied that he was not She was pleased to hear it, she said; she had not expected to get a confession out of him, and thanked him for his confidence in her. But suddenly she looked serious. “Oh, but that wasn’t a confession!” she said. “It was simply an assertion. People don’t confess except when they acknowledge that they are guilty. < I don’t know what I have been thinking about. But you know a woman does not believe a man guilty if he is—agreeable. Only the disagreeable men are, guilty." • ' , * “The man who is disagreeable to , Women ought to be condemned on general principles—or, rather, on general unprinciples,” he replied; and they both of them laughed, and she wondered what time it was. He said that it wasn’t late, looking at his watch; but she declared that she must be going, dropping into that serious mood which, in the office, had caused surprise. With this man, however, she could not long remain serious. There wassomething about him that made her smile. She knew that he might possibly be on the road to the penitentiary, for the justice of the peace had bound him over; but, somehow, she felt glad whenever she looked at him. Was he a humorist eet In silence to cause laughter? “I must really go,” she said, getting up. He did pot arise. “Must you go?" he Inquired, with a soothing regret in his voice. And then he added: “When are you coming back?’ “Coming back? I didn't say that I was.” “I know you didn’t, and that's the reason I asked you. ’ She laughed. It was impudent of him, but somehow, it pleased her. “Why should I come back?” “To get a detailed statement when I prepare it” “Oh, are you going to do that? I don’t quite understand; but whenever a'man is bound over by a justice of the peace is it usual for him to make a detailed statement?” “It is usual for me." “Then you have been arrested and bound over before?*’ “No; this is the first time” "You—you tangle me aU up. I don t understand you. But, really, I haven’t learned anything by coming. You simply say that you are not guilty. We expected you to say that Can’t you tell me just a ltttle something—something to help me In the office ? 1 for-

got to tell you, but this is my first assignment” ; . “I never shall forget mine,** he said. % “Oh, and were you ‘a reporter?” “Yes; and I quit it —because the paper changed hands. Never could get another job. But I have been thinking that I might make arrangements to send in news from tho penitentiary —society news, for instance.” “Oh,” she said, brightening, "I might make something of that. Well, good-by.” Ferron sat gazing at the chair. Jumping up he hastened to the window and watched the girl as she was getting on a car. She did not look back at the house, and even no little a thing as that made his heart heavier. “She was sent as a beautiful torture,” he said. “Now I shall have a worry harder to bear than the other one. Go on, vision ; that’s al) you are.” The vision was going on toward the office, framing a sketch in her mind; and she wrote it with a dash —it was so full of spirit that it leaped and bubbled from her pen; but when she took it to the city editor he frowned at it and declared that it was too long. ‘ When, however, he had read it, with a few sweeps of his mastering eye, he complimented her and, with a shrug of his shoulder, dismissed her. The sketch appeared, a vivid light amid a gloom of ordinary crimes; and the next day she received a note from Ferron. “I didn't know that I could serve as such an inspiration. My trial is set for next, Friday. Come' over.”

She was sent to write something about the trial. Her sketch had made the case Important He smiled at her, and, though it seemed to send a light into her heart, she resented it, and in her report she said a few mean things about him. That would teach him a lesson. And it did, for the next day he simply looked at. her. Then she was sad, and sought an opportunity to beg his pardon. The jury acquitted him, and he went away without giving her a chance to speak to him. “I knew he was not guilty,” sire nyised. Perhaps now he might still wish td make his detailed statement” When she went, however, she did not pretend to have come for a statement. Boldly she declared that she had come to beg his pardon for having said mean things about him. He smiled; and begged her not to' think of it He had not been offended. He deserved all that she had said. "No; 1 was cruel, and you so innocent, too.” , He laughed. "Singular how innocent some can be, isn’t it?" he said, looking into her eyes. She said yes, and looked down. Then he spoke, and his voice was so solemn that it startled her. “Miss Smith, I made one confession, didn’t ir "Yes, you confessed your innocence, and you were not guilty." “I now have another confession to make. I was guilty." “Oh, you don’t mean it" “I do mean it I was a scoundrel. I Sat here one day musing over the fact that the whole world was a rascal and a swindle. I needed >5,000, and knew how I cbuld get the money —by wrecking a concern of which I was the manager. I did it nicely—most delicately. I was proud of my work. Of course, I was Indicted. I knew that would be done. But I also knetf that my work was so fine that they couldn’t prove anything. And they didn’t. Now call me a scoundrel, and bid me good-by.” “I don’t believe you," she gasped. “It’s true. But look hero, I have just squared up with the concern. See this receipt?" He handed to her a piece of paper. The >5,000 had been returned. She handed back the paper and sat looking down. “I must go," she said. She got up, and lie followed her to the door. I was a scoundrel, but I’m not now," he said. “I despise myself for having been weak. Something made me strong — you made me strong. Yes, I love you, and my love for you and dishonesty could not go together. Until I knew you my soul was unfinished. It was barbaric. You —” The tears were on her cheeks. “And you feel sorry for me, do you?"

“What’s become of Miss Smith?” the city editor Inquired. And a reporter replied: “Maffled that fellow Ferron.” f “The deuce she did!” (Copyright. IM4, by Daily Story Pub. Co.)

Our New Fruit Gardens.

Among the many perfectly beautiful promises volunteered by our department of agriculture is one in respect to the effect of ths Panama canal upon fruit eating. Peru, Bolivia ana Ecuador have an assortment of climate that is almost unmatched. By traveling a few huudred miles in these countries you can change from midsummer to mid-winter or the whole range of degrees between these extremes. This means that all American fruits can be raised in these countries; and the canal will make their transportation to Chicago or New York a matter of only about ten days. In these regions of South America cherries ripen from November to February, peaches December to March, prunes January to March, pears February to May and grapes January to May or June. In short, just when our native fruits are out of season, such fruits will be coming up through ths e—a oava ins ctoflmorfl enough to make one’s mouth water—until the list of prices arrives. ' - Successful wireless telephoning has been carried on In Germany and Ana tria over a distance of 380 miles.

NO SACRIFICE AT ALL

SORREL PETE, LIKE THE IMMORTAL BARKIS, WAS Little Matter of Temper In Wife, Who i Was in a Manner Thrust Upon Him, Really Made Little Difference. - • . ■ v . ...«'• in the door of his ranch house on a western prairie, Pete Harker—known as Sorrel Pete—oat idly whistling and whittling when his old churn Mac Towles rode up the trail and”| stopped. “Whoopi” yelled Pete. "Jest look who's here! Haven’t set eyes on you 4 since you saved my life in that old; flooded mine, back yonder.” “No," agreed Mac; “and speaking of that, l*m here right now to remind you of the promise you made then; do you remember it?" "Yes, sir! I ’lowed that any time you wanted anything off*n me, you’d I get IL no odds what it was.” * "Well, 1 want something now,” con- ' fessed Mac, "but l*m most afraid I’m asking too much.” % "Bho,l’ll bet you ain’L no such thing. What is it? Come, right out With it” ' "Well, my wife and I want you to come over and marry our cook." “Jinkins! Would she have me, s’pose?" "Oh, there won’t be any trouble about that You’re just the style she likes, and she isn't set on staying single." “Jest listen to that! She awful homely lookin'?” "Not so bad.” ' “Kin she cookt* "Fine.” "Well, I'm a bachelor man. I like womenfolks and good cookin* as well as any other lonesome old critter does, but where's the favor I'm doin' youT Looks to me like it’s all on the other foot—hey?" i “Pete, she’s the worst tempered woman that ever tackled a rolling pin. My wife don’t dare go into the kitchen, and I wouldn't haflker to, either. And she -won’t let us discharge her; we’ve tried that, but she just simply won’t have ft. Our only hope’s In marrying her off, and we thought of you—but I guess the sacrifice is too much to ask—” "Sacrifice nothin'!?' shouted Pete. "You hold on tm I get a critter saddled and I’ll hike right hor>e with you and marry the gal immediate, if J she’ll say the word. Things have been pesky quiet here lately; no fights; nor nothin’; I need a little shakin’ up. And anyhow, Sorrel Pete never goes back on a promise If an old chum that saved my ornery life at the resk of his own makes a pint of me marryin’ a cranky cook, I’ll do it without battin’ an eye. Come on!” It is pleasant to be able to add that, barring a few Interesting skirmishes, Pete and his wife, the excook, are now jogging along in a very ’ fair state of felicity.—Youth’s Companion. t

Harmony and Hymnais.

In making a new hymnal for all the Lutheran bodies, the general council of that denomination has taken a step in the direction of federation. From sixteen different hymnali a new collection has been culled, which best represents the Lutheran theology. The hymn book has always been a meeting place of sects. Protestants have no objection to singing Cardinal Newman’s "Lead, Kindly Light,” and evangelical Christians unite in singing "Nearer, My God, to Thee,” written by a Unitarian. Music eliminates doctrinal differences. Theological statements emphasize them. Perhaps the chief value of the hymnal is its contribution to church unity. Incidentally it may be said that the melody of church hymns might be greatly improved, as well as the literary value. Many good hymns have been spoiled by poor melody, and others are destroyed by poor singers. The model hymnal has not yet appeared.— Philadelphia Ledger.

Chess.

Chess is known as the Royal Game and deserves the name. It is the old* est of games, having been played in approximately Its present form for more than a thousand years; in exactly its present form for centuries. Its devotees are found the world over, England, Germany, Austria, France, Russia, Cuba and the United States being represented in the St Petersburg tourney. It is a game of pure skill and infinite opportunities for profound thought and depths of resource, and the only objection to it, perhaps, is that it Is too serious for a game, not serious enough for' a profession. Nevertheless it gives delight to thousands the world over, and as a means for storing up happiness for old age it is probably unsurpassed.

Society Tots In Bronze.

Bronze statuettes of children In the preparation of which several sculptors are now busy, will represent the latest fad in St Louis society. The subjects are the sons and daughter* of some of the most prominent families and they are being modeled as children of 1914, in their everyday Clothing and in their most accustomed postures. The youngest of subject* thus far modeled is Edward Malltnckrodt two year* old, son of Mr. and. Mrs. Edward Mailinckrodt. Jr., of 1 Vandeventer place. The child is shown in jumper*.—St Louis dispatch in New York World. '