The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-23
AMERICAN TROOPS AT VERA CRUZ ID
 EvACUAIE TODAY
Stars and Stripes Will Be Hauled Down and Mexi- can City Left to Its
 Fate By Funston

Washington. November 22.-Gencrsi Fnnston's infantry and marines. num- bcrine about 5000 men, tomorrow will hnuI down the stars and stripes, which hnv, been flying over Vera Cruz since inst April and cvncuntc the Mexican port In accordance with instructions frcm President Wilson.
 The five battleshlps at Vera Cruz and Tampco and the string of vessels on the west coast will remain in Mexican waters to afford protection to Amer jeans and be in readiness to meet emer- gencies.
 It was just seven months ago when the bluejackets and marines under Rear Admiral Fletcher seized Vera Cruz as an act of reprisai for affronts to the American flag at Tampico. where a boat lead of American buejackets were arrest ed General Huerta, who controlled the forces at Tampico. had refused to com- ply with tho demand of Admiral Mayo for a salute of sl guns,
 Adyices Confusing
 Adyices from Mexico today still were confusing, but the American government's dcterminafion is to withdraw It's troops. and remove from Mexican territory a pos sble cause of international friction ns well as potential factor that might be- come a domestic issue between factions in Mexico.
 President Wilson is hopeful that evecu- alton of Vera Cruz will be an enduring demonstration of the policy of the United States enunciated in his Mobile speech a year ago to seek no territorial aggrandize- ment south of the Rio Grande He be- lieves continued presence of American troops on Mexican soil would be misin- terpreted throughout Latin-Amerlca.
 In withdrawing from Mexican soil the United States has taken pains that no faction shall be recognized. All clements united in requesting evacuation and in pedging the guarantees requested by the Washington government. General Funston has no orders to give posses sion of Vera Cruz to any particular chief. His instructions are simply to pack his possessions and withdraw, bringing away any Mexicans who fear to remain. as we'll as all the customs money collected during the American occupation
 The si.000,000 or more in customs duties will be held until a government formally Is recognized by the United States.
 Officers Not Hopeless
 Administration officials do not regard the tangled state of affairs in the south- ern republic as altogether hopeless They arc inclined to view the evacuation of Mexico City by Carranza, in the face of tt... l. .1ar,Y ..xr4.4 ..F desire to avoid further bloodshed. Up to midnight lastnight, according to official dispatches. both Generals Lucio Blanco and Obregon were in the capital. and had promised to leave on adequate force to preserve order.
 Many officials believe Carranza ordered evacuation of Mexico City that he might concentrate his forces at Orizaba and continue parleys for q compromise pro- Fisional President. He is understood to be hopeful that when the jnvention re- assemblies in Mexico City some one beside General Gutierrez may be chosen Presi- dent.
 Another view held in Mexican quarters is that while the Mexican capital has been evacuated. there are large forces to tho north and east which will continue to threaten. the Villa columns.
 The marines now stationed at Vera Cruz will be taken to League Island navy yard. Philadelphia and the troops will be sent back to their camp at Texas City. Tex. The army transports kilpatrick, Sumner. Cristobal and kansas will carry all but a few of the soldiers, who will be talxen aboard the refrigerator ship Mcclellan All of the animals and supplies of the army can also be removed in one trip of the transports
 The marines. 2400 in number, will be transported northwaPd on the char tered transports City of Denver City Of Memphis and san Francisco. When they arrive at Philadelphia. the first and second regiments will be stationed at the navy yard there. The third reg i,nent will b< disbanded the eighteenth and twenty-first companies will be as- signed to the marine barracks in this city, the eleventh, twenty second and twenty-third companies to the first regiment and the twelfth and twentieth to the second regiment.
 The field artillery battalion, con sieting of the first. eighth and thir- teenth companies will go Co the marine barrac clSs at the naval academy at An .napolis
 After General Funston has safely landed his command at Texas City. 1t is probable he will be assigned to the command of the central department, with headquarters at Chicago. a post made vacant by the transfer of Major General William H. Carter to Hono- lulu