Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1914-11-24
EVACUATION OF VERA CRUZ.
U. S. Marines Turn City Over to Mex
icans--WiIl Hold Funds.

Washington, Nov. 23.-Gen. Fun
ston's infantry and marines, number
ing about 5000 men, to-day hauled
down the Stars and Stripes which
have been flying over Vera Cruz
since last April and evacuated the
Mexican port, in accordance with in
structions from President Wilson.
The five battleships at Vera Cruz
and Tampico and the string OF ves-
sells on the west coast will remain In
Mexican waters to afford protection
to Americans and be in readiness to
meet emergencies.
AS the Americans withdrew Mexi-
can Constitutionalists took possess
sion OF the city. There was little en-
thusiasm, little excitement and no
trouble of any kind.
The outposts began falling back at
8 o'clock in the morning, and two
hours later the first American SOL
diers were going over the sides Of
the waiting transports.
Gen. Funston established his head
quarters on board the transport Girls
tobal at an early hour this morning,
and ali the organizations OF his COM
mand began at d, Wight the work OF
moving out their equipment prepar-
atory to final evacuation. Every
thing progressed smoothly and in ac-
cordance with previous arrangement.
Beyond the American outposts
there had been mobilizing during the
night force of Constitutionalists.
AS the Americans withdrew first from
the outlying districts and then from
the city itself the Constitutionalists
! followed them along and nominally
occupied the territory evacuated.
The city is quiet, but the inhabi-
tants are nervous and apprehensive
concerning the final outcome of this
transfer of authority. All saloons
in Vera Cruz remained closed to-day
on orders of Gen. Funston, ard many
commercial establishments decided
not to open their doors. AS fast as
the Americans go out Constitutional
lists are coming in.
1t was just seven months ago when
the bluejackets and marines, under
! Rear Admiral Fletcher, seized Vera
! Cruz as an act of reprisal for af-
! fronts to the American flag at Tam
pico, where a boatload of American
bluejackets were arrested. Gen.
Huerta, who controlled the forces at
TampicO, had refused to comply with
the demand of Admiral Mayo for a
salute Of 81 guns.
President Wilson is hopeful that
evacuation of Vera Cruz will be an
enduring demonstration of the policy
Of the United States, enunciated in
his Mobile speech year ago, to seek
no territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT south
of the Rio Grande. He believes con-
tinued presence of american troops
on Mexican soil would be misinter-
preted throughout Latin-America.
In withdrawing from Mexican soil
the United States has taken pains
that no faction shall be recognized.
All elements united in requesting
evacuation and In pledging the guar.
antees requested by the Washington
government. Gen. Funston has no
| orders to give possession of Vera
Cruz to any particular chief. His
instructions are simply to pack his
possessions and withdraw, bringing
away any Mexicans who fear to re-
main, as well as all the customs
money collected during the American
occupation.
The 81 100000 or more in Gus
toms duties will be held until a gov
the United States.
Administration officials do not re-,
gard the tangled state OF affairs in
| the Southern republic as hopeless.
They are inclined to view the evacu-
alton OF Mexico City by Carranza, In
the face Of the Villa advance, as an
evidence of desire to avoid further
bloodshed
Many officials believe Carranza OF.
dered evacuation of Mexico City that
he might concentrate his forces at
Orizaba and continue parIeys for
| compromise Provisional President
He is understood to be hopeful that
when the convention reassembles in
Mexico City some one beside Gen.
m inrr