Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-03
OF COMPARATIVE
! CALM IN MEXICO CITY
Arrival of Troops OF Villa and zapata
Ends One of City's Most
Trying Weeks.
COMNIUNICATIoN. ms RESTORED
For Time Feared That Capital
Mould Re Given Over to Anarchy.
|; mud { Loot but Prompt Actibn OF,
- I, oIl,nt .5i q sers s Puts End 10 Kioting. @

d : D
MENICo CITY, November. 80 s(via FL
Paso. Junctiom December 9. delayed by
censor).-The arrival of. the troops OF
| General Francisco Villa from the
north. and OF General Erniliano ,zapata
from the south has been followed by
comparative calm In Mexico City. af-
ter ono of the most trying weeks in
its history. For a time It was feared
the city. stripped of defenders. would
be given over to anarchy and loot, but
prompt action of volunteer guards, re-
inforced by troops which arrived in tho
nick OF time. put an end TO rioting.
General Villa has given every guar
antee that life and property will be
safeguarded, and thus far his promises
have been carried out.
For one week Mexico City has been
isolated from the outside world. so far
as concerned the transmission OF press
was restored by wire from the capt
tai to lei Paso. and II is possible to re-
count In detail the story of the last
few days, only fragments Of, which
hitherto have passed beyond the border.
When General Lucio Blanco left the
city early OH Tuesday, November "a, n
few Inhabitants knew of his departure.
Towards noon heavy firing. was heard
In the .!nelghboring suburbs, Here the
retreating forces of General Blanco
were deserted by their. chief. They
fought the advance guard OF General
zapata. During these engagements
sixty mon were killed. and Blanco's
men retreated northward through Atz-
capotzalco.
ORDER OF DISSOLUTION
OF ENTIRE POLICE FORCE
1t then became generally known that
General Carranza had ordered both
Obregon and fBlanco to leave the city
oil 1,at,.
called for the disarmament. and the dis
solution OF the entire police force.
AS. Zapata's forces had not pene-
trated the city proper, and as tho Con-
stitutionalist plan called for compile
abandonment of the capital when the
order to dissolve the police force be-
came known stores and banks were
closed Immediately, and have remained
closed Foreigners and MeXicans kept
close to their homes.
AT o'clock OH Tuesday mobs began
forming in front of the National Pal
ace. 1t was evident that serious
trouble, WAS brewing, and the streets
were cleared of all save rioters
With cries of ITO arms. stores: there
are no police,"ethe crowds ran from tho
open plaza to the places designated
! on the Avenida 10th of September.
Here the leaders forced the doors
of one of the largest establishments,
selling arms and ammunition and hand
eli out the weapons to the waiting
throngs, With these the rioters rush ;
ed down the streets. firing as they
went,
Telephone lines connecting the cap
ital with the suburbs had been work
ing busily, however, and the Zapata
forces. on the outskirts. wore asked to
come into the city. They responded
promptly
Meanwhile students had met and de-
cided to arm themselves and dispense
the mobs IL no assistance came from
the besieging soldiers on the outside.
The crowds heart of these prepare
tions. and broke UP into small parties.
spreading out over the entire city.
When the zapata forces entered Mex
leo City the students. armed with all
sorts of weapons. already had taken
possession OF the principal streets.
These manifestations awed the mobs,
who confined themselves to breakIng
into small stores along unfrequented
, streets. t.r .f,. s
CONSIDERABLE FIRING
GOING ON IN CITY
Terror was added to. the situation by.
the fact that the men of General
Blanco's command. In their hurry to
get out Of bnrm's way. held up coaches
Continued on Second Page.)