Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-23
Little of Christmas Spirit Pre-
walls in War-Ridden
Republic.
HUERTA GIVES A FETE
TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY
American Charge d'Affaires Only
Diplomatic Representative Not
Present at Function.

MEAlCO CITY, December 2S.-FeeDle
efforts have been made to arrange holt
day festivities in Mexico City this year.
Gov. Corona Of the federal district
has enlisted q few Of the city's fash
ionable women to assist him in holding
a kermess in one of the public parks,
but even this show OF holiday spirit is
half apologize, it being announced
that the proceeds are to go toward
buying clothing for the poor.
Merchants in Mexico annually dress
| their windows and stores to attract the
gift-buying public. but unlike the
stores in the United States the rush is
not over until one week later. only
a few Mexicans buy presents and dis
tribute them Christmas, but all OF them
want to give tokens OF their love and
friendship New Year day.
little efrort to capture the holiday
money. Sentiment has dulled the BUY
ing spirit and war has drained the
money bags. AS a people the Mexicans
placed orders early in the year with
European toy houses have generally
cancelled them because Of the Increased
duty on all importations. Such shop
goods this year contain only the left
over goods OF year ago.
Huerta Celebrates Birthday.
President Huerta today revived the old
custom Of celebrating at the National Pal
ace with great Formally the anniversary
of the birth OF the chief executive. He was
born December q, 1854. These birthday
celebrations were an annual affair dur
ing the regime of Gen. Porfirio Diaz
Before daylight this morning military
bands from the regiments which have
their headquarters in the federal capital
marched up and down in front of the pal
ace and serenaded the provisional presi-
| dent. During the forenoon Huerta re-
representing all departments OF the gov
| eminent.
The final event in the days celebration
| was a reception to the diplomatic corps
at which all the foreign representatives
were present with the exception OF Mel
son O'Shaughnessy, American charge
| d affaires The Spanish minister, ia
| cinto de Cologan y Cologan, dean of the
| diplomatic corps, delivered an address
of congratulation.
1t is stated here that the marines and
bluejackets from the japanese cruiser
Idzumo. which arrived at Manzanillo
yesterday. are coming to the federal
capital merely on visit The visit
is to be Of several days duration.
Catholic Organ Suspends.
La Nacion, the daily newspaper pub
lished in the interests of the Catholic
party suspended publication today at the
suggestion of the Mexican government.
BY presidential decree issued yester-
day afternoon. every day until the end of
the present year, is made legal holiday
in order to check the run on the banks
here.
Huerta says he deems such action nee
essary to protect the banks until public
confidence is more nearly restored. The
banks are absolved from meeting any
obligation until January 2.
With the exception of the Bank of Lon
don and Mexico and the Central Bank
none has yet taken advantage Of the de-
cree and business at the other institu-
tons is being conducted as usual.
All Quiet at Tampico.
VERA CRUZ, Mexico. December o.
Ohicial advices from Tampico state that
all is quiet there.
The United States battleships Kansas
and Connecticut arrived here today and
anchored outside the harbor with the
Nebraska, the Louisiana and the New
Hampshire. The two last named YES
sells are to leave at once for the United
States.