Evening star., 1914-11-23
U,SF0RCESSTART
TOQU|T VERA CRUZ
Gen. Funston's Troops Begin
to Embark After Seven
Months Stay.
GEN. BLANCO MAINTAINING
ORDER IN MEXICO CITY
Occupation by Villa Troops of Capt.
tai Is Delayed-Fighting Under
Way at Guadalajara.

VERA CRUZ. Mex, November 23.-
The American forces under Gen. Fred
erick Funston. after 4 stay in Vera
Cruz of seven months, today began
embar arking on the steamships which
will return them to the United States.
The outposts sbegan falling back at
o'clock in the morning and two hours
later the first American soldiers were
going over the sides of the waiting
transports.
Gen. Funston established his head
quarters on board the transport Cristo-
bal at an early hour this morning and
all the organizations Of his command
began at daylight the work of moving
out their equipment preparatory to
final evacuation. Everything progress
previous arrangement.
Constitutionalists Moving In.
Beyond the American outposts there
had been mobilized during the night
force of constitutionalists. AS the
Americans withdrew, first from the out
lying districts\ and then from the city
itself, the constitutionalists followed
them along and nominaIly occupied the
territory vacated.
The city is quiet, but the Inhabitants
are nervous and apprehensive concern
ing the final outcome of this transfer
of authority. All saloons in Vera Cruz
remained closed today on orders of
Gen. Funston, and many commercial
esta blishments decided not to open
their doors. The government of Vera
Cruz is not being turned over to any
faction of Mexicans; the territory is
being evacuated, and as fast as the
Americans 10 out constitutionalists
are coming in.
The American quartermaster depart
ment has arranged to take away from
Vera Cruz something like 800 Mexicans
their countrymen again came into pos
session.
The American officers and men spent
yesterday finishing packing their per-
sonal and companies effects. The open
air cafes presented a lively scene last
night, hundreds of persons visiting
thems-to bid goodbye to the ofhoers
and men.
Books Open for Inspection.
Representatives of Gen. Candido.
Aguilar have been given every facility
for the inspection of the books and
the work done by the Americans In
various departments.
The American army officials will take
with them the moneys collected for
customs and from other sources Of
revenue. while the carefully preserved
records and archives will be left with
Consul General w. w. Canada. These
data and the money ultimately will
go to some Mexican government which
the United States deems a proper one
to receive it, The Mexicans gaining
control of the city will receive one
thing-a large consignment of arms
the ammunition in the custom house,
ordered by Gen. Huerta when he was
president.
Col. Baker. the depot quartermaster,
was besieged with applications from
MeXicans and Americans for passage
on the army transports and the char
tered steamer Antilla Of the Ward line.
Perfect Order in Capital.
MEXICO CITY. November 23.-Per-
feet order was maintained in the capi-
tai yesterday. Gen. Lucio Blanco, who
took over supreme control of the city
Saturday night. has appointed local
authorities in all the suburban towns.
In an interview Gen. Blanco said:
Il am neither follower of Gen. Car
ranzan or of Gen. Villa, but a Mexican
and a soldier. When 1 was asked to
leave the city absolutely unprotected
that the forces of Emiliano Zapata
might enter, 1 refused. because my
first duty was to the inhabitants.
will gladly turn over the city to a
competent authority when such an au-
thority shall arrive"
Gen. BlancO today ordered MANY au-
tomobiles which had been commandeer-
cd hajr IJn
said that no confiscation of property
would be allowed while he was in COM
mand.
Much satisfaction was expressed here
at the strong stand taken by Gen.
Blanco.
Occupation by Villa Delayed.
Ell PASO, Tex, November 23,-The
occupation by Villa troops of Mexico
City has been delayed. The Carranza
troops, retreating from Queretaro, tore
up several miles of railroad track lead
ing into Mexico City.
Fighting Is under way at Guadala lara.
the metropolis of the west coast country,
according to unofficial reports. Ii was
said that strong command of Villa
troops was assaulting the Jalisco cap
ital. Carranza's s action in giving up Mex
ico City to the Villa forces without op-
position, his agents here believe, was
done for strategic reasons There has
been nothing to indicate that the Car
rama faction has given up its efforts 10
combat the convention party
A column of 1.500 Villa troops with
battery of artillery left Chihua hua City
Saturday to invade Sonora and assist the
Maytorena forces, now attacking Naco,
Sonora. II is planned to clear the west
ern border state o all Carranza troops
Villa, with his well organized though