The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1914-11-27
AMERICAN SOLDIERS
QUIT MEXICAN PORT
Troops and Marines Withdrawn From
Vera Cruz After Seven
Months.

Vera Cruz, Nov. 23.-The Mexican
flag again flies over Vera Cruz.
Brig. Gen. Funston and his COM
mand of 5000 infantrymen and ma
! rines, which landed here April 20.
last, got under way late today and
Gen. Candido Aguilar's men took
charge of the city. The United States
transport Cristobal, bearing the first
contingent of Americans, left the
dock at 1:50 p. m. for home.
The MeXicanS marched in on the
heels of the departing troops, but no
serious disturbances occurred Resi-
dents of Vera Cruz who had heard of
threats made by Villa followers, and
others opposed to Gen. Carranza, that
they would resist occupation of the
city by Aguilar'S troops, breathed
more freely as the CarranZa soldiers
moved nearer and nearer to the cen
ter of the city.
The only unpleasant incident had
no effect on the general situation.
Gen. CarranZa was quoted by repre-
Sentativcs here as being displeased
with the American method of deliver
ing over 'hn city and ah having criti-
ciscd shar failure to make a formal
transfer o. various departments.
The First Move.
positions began sharply at o'clock.
The detached posts of marines at Ell
Tejar, where they have been guard
ing the waterworks since last April.
at this hour boarded train for the
run of one hour into the city.
Up to this time the Mexican lines
| had made no attempt to advance. This
was for the reason that between FL
Tejar and Vera Cruz there is a rail
way junction and Gen. Funston had
asked Gen. Aguilla not to move for
ward any of his trains for the rea-
son that to do so would block the line
The MeXicanS waited until all tn
Americans from FL Teiar had passed.
The long circling line of American
outposts, from Vcrgara, on the north
beach, to point on the south beach,
| began moving forward as soon as the
detachment from FL Tciar arrived al
Los Cocos, a suburb. Thus the line
became shortened and then there be
gan a sweeping movement directly
across the city until the line of Amer
leans came to a stop along the Fran
! cisco canal and Cinco de Miyo street,
running at right angles to the canal.
Only two blocks behind was the
| advance line of the constitutionalistS,
closing in as the Americans withdrew,
but always holding a distance of
about two blocks. The American stop
at the Francisco canal was brief. They
quickly resumed their march converg-
ing on the central part of the city.
AS they came in they picked up the
provost guards who had been patrol
ing the city as usual, and also men
who had been placed on tall buildings
TO watch for shippers. These men
hn nj nd h,l
force moved forward toward the wa
ter front where the embarkat;rS be
gan at II o'clock. !
There were no flags to lower, for
was there any ceremony of any kind
on shore. The American flags that
came down at retreat last night were
not raised this morning.
AS each transport received her al
Iotment of men she shipped her ca
bles and dropped out into the chan
mel. Here they formed in two lines
through which later In lne day the
CriStohal, with Gen. Funston and his
headquarters staff on board, passed
in review of the American forces.
Gen. Aguillar did not mince words
when, through his chief of police,
Theodore Frezicres, he told residents
that any sort Of disturbance would
ltNull III lnt execution OF Inc end
ing individuals.
Must Yield Arms.
The proclamation containing this
declaration was circulated through
the streets as Aguilar's forces were
entering. The decree provides that
all arms must he surrendered within
"a hours and that failure to comply
Will cause the shooting of the one in
whose possession gun is found.
This flat statement caused w. w.
Canada, the American consul, to call
at the police station where he told
Chief Frezieres that many Americans
had deposited their arms with him.
The consul was told that Aguilar did
not intend demanding them and, in
fact, expected the consul to use his
discretion in holding the guns. Amer
leans are not exempt from the order
but in cases where the authorities are
convinced their standing warrants it
they will be given permits to retain
their arms.