Evening star., 1914-11-23
Death Awaits Soldiers Who
MoIest Women or Pi|Iage on
Entering Mexico City.
GEN. FUSTON'S TROOPS
EVACUATE VERA CRUZ
Mexican Flag Will Again Float Over
Ancient Fortress Of San
Juan by Sunset.

| COlnCldent with the evacuation VI
Vera Cruz today by the American
troops, who have held that port since
April, Gen. Villa notified the American
government that he would shoot on the
spot any officer or soldier who molests
women or who pillages on entering
Mexico City.
| This message to the United States
from Villa came through Consular
Agent George C. Carothers, who stated
that orders to this effect have been IS
sued by Villa.
Acting Secretary Lansing, in an
nouncing receipt of this message. said
that official reports are that perfect
order prevails in all the cities and
towns thus far occupied by Villas
army.
officials here expect sunset will see
the Mexican flag floating again over
the ancient fortress of San Juan, vera
Cruz, and the American troopers well
on their way homeward across the gulf.
Dispatches early today from Maj. Gen.
Funston said his Furthermore outposts
had been withdrawn at O'CLOCK; at u
o'clock troops guarding the railroads
at the approaches to the city were
withdrawn and at IL o'clock the en-
barkation was on in earnest. Gen;
Funston reported he expected to san
constitutionalist troops under Gen.
Aguilar We're taking possession OF the
city.
Cost Estimated at $4,000, 900.
Occupation of the Mexican port, in
reprisal for Huerta's insult to the nag
at Tampico, has cost the United States
more than a score of lives, some in
battle and some from disease. and, ac-
cording to some estimates. as much
as S1O,00O,O00. But Mexico Will be
asked to pay no indemnity. Admins
tration officials want that fact to STAND
out as an added evidence of the disin-
terested friendship of the United States
for her southern neigbhors
Gen. Funston has instructions to turn
the city over to none or the mexican
factions and thereby avoid what
might be construed as a recognition OF
one of them. His orders simply are to
bring his troops away and leave the
city to whichever faction takes pos
session.
Carranza's commander. Aguilar, is
nearest, but CarranZa troops which
have swerved in their allegiance to
Villa are not far distant. There have
been some evidences that Carranza in
tended to move his capital to Vera
Cruz upon the American evacuation.
All those Maxicans who fear to re-
main when the Americans leave are
sailing away with Gen. Funston. The
refugee priests and nuns have been
given places OH the transports. and the
Americans who remain depend for their
safety upon guarantees given to the
United States by all the Mexican fac
tions, and those American warships
which remain in the harbor.
Critical Relations End.
With the departure of the American
troops. a critical period in the re-
lations between the United States and
Mexico comes to an end. and in the view
of officials here. the Mexican people are
left to work out their own destiny
among themselves.
The 4th, 7th. 10th and 2Sth Infantry
and the 1st Battalion of the 4th Field
Artillery and two squadrons of the 9th
Cavalry will return to Galveston. The
three regiments of marines will go to
Philadelphia.
American occupation of Vera Cruz be-
gan last April. when military forces
under Rear Admiral Fletcher seized
that port. by orders OF the Washington
government. as an act of roprisal ia
retaliation for affronts to the Stars and
Stripes at Tampico. where American
bluejackets were arrested. Gen. Huerta.
who controlled the forces at Tampico,
had refused to comply with Admiral
Mayo's demand that salute of twenty
one guns be fired.
Mr.. Carothers wired today that ar
rangements were being made for the
peaceful entry of the Villa columns
into Mexico City.
From the Mexican capital came ad-
vices to the. State Department that the
panic of the residents had partially
subsidized with the assumption of full
command by Gen. Blanco, who after a
heated argument with Gen. Obregon
declined to accompany the latter in
abandoning the city.
Blanco has given assurances to the
Brazilian minister and American Con-
sui Silliman that he will maintain or
der, and has appointed chief of police
and several municipal officers to re-
place those who left to join Carranza at
OriZa ba.
illustrates Abandoning City.
Plans for an eleventh hour abandon
ment of Mexico City to the Zapata
forces were frustrated by Gen. Bianco.
according to confidential reports re-
ceived today at the State Department
from it's agents.
Gen. Carranza ordered the capital
evacuated last Friday. so that the
Zapata forces could enter, at the same
time tearing up the railroads north of
Mexico City to check and delay the
Villa troops. One of the official reports
speaks of three mediated atrocities
and an intention to leave the capital 70
be sacked. Just what was the purpose
of the move on the part of the Carranza
chiefs was not disclosed.
NaAnH anRFal IN nFlllPN