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GENERAL NEWS NOTES OF THE DAY. Perfect order is now being maintained in the Mexican capital. Geu. Lueio Blanco has appointed authorities in sill the suburban towns. In an interview Gen. Blanco said: "I am neither a follower of Gen. Carranza nor of Gen. Villa, but a Mexican and a soldier. When I was asked to leave the city absolutely unprotected that the forces of Zapata might enter, I refused, because my first duty was to the inhabitants. I will gladly turn over the city to a competent authority when such an authority shall arrive." The occupation by Villa troops of Mexico City lias leen delayed lecause the retreating Carrauza troops from Qiieretaro tore up several miles of railroad track leading into Mexico City. Fighting is already under wav at Guadalajara, the principal city of the west coast country, according to unofficial reports. Turl.ey has voluntarily explained to the United States government through Ambassador Morgenthau that the shots fired toward the launch of the American cruiser Tennessee were intended merely sis the customary warning that the port of Smyrna was mined and closed to navigation. Secretary Daniels lias cabled Capt. Decker of the cruiser Tennessee and Capt. Oman of the cruiser North Carolina, in the Mediterranean, giving them discretionary authority to deal with emergencies that m:iy sirise in protecting American citizens and their interests in Turkey. The secretary rescinded the order which he seht last week directing IkUi commanders to take no action whatever lending an investigation of the tiring on si launch from the Tennessee at Smyrna. Brigadier General Fmistons forces, numbering about i.OOO men. yesterday hauled down the Stars - and Stripes which have been Hying over Vera Cruz A since Inst April sind evacuated the Mexican nort in W accordance with instructions from President Wilson. The five battleships at Vera Cruz and Taninico and the string of vessels on the west coast will remain indefinitely. Notwithstanding tremendous pressure. lMth from this country and abroad. President Wilson remained linn in his determination to have liie American troops evacuate Vera Cruz as scheduled. The troops will go into camp :it Galveston, from which port they embarked when they were sent to .Mexico. As ihe Americans withdrew from Vera Cruz, constitutionalists followed them aud occupied the terri tory vacated. The city Is quiet, although the inhabitants aire nervous and apprehensive concerning the final outcome of tlie transfer of authority. The American quartermasters department took siway something like 300 Mexicans who did not care to be in the city when their countrymen again came into possession. Holding the minimum wage law passed by the 1013 Minnesota legislature to be unconstitutional. Judge Catlin handed down a decision ordering a temporary injunction against State Auditor Iverson and members of the minimum wage commission from expending further money in the work of the commission. The ruling also suspends tin; order of the .commission fixing a minimum wage for women anil minor workers. A contract for ,500,000 worth of ride cartridges has just been siwarded to a Vermont company. It Is understood the order is for one of the countries at war. The company has ordered a large amount of new machinery and expects to run its plant day and night with three shifts for at least a year. The Rockefeller Foundation food ship Massapequa. which left New York November .! with provisions for the- starving Belgians has arrived at Rotterdam. The Rotterdam representative of the American relief commission took charge of the vessel and began the immediate- discharge of her cargo. Formal announcement was made at the white house that the state receptions and dinners by the president during the winter will be abandoned because of the death of .Mrs. Wilson. The New Year reception to the public also has been canceled. Villas forces. 15.000 strong, under General Angeles, with 102 artillery pieces, are reported to be attacking Guadalajara, where there are 20,000 Carrauza soldiers. Villa has ordered that ally of his troops molesting wonien or pillaging on entering Mexico City be summarily shot. Word comes that the Norwegian steamer Fram. which loft Charleston. S. C. October 22 for Nyborg. Denmark, with si cargo of oil cake, has loen seized by the British government at Lerwick in the Shetland Islands. "Congress will not do much of anything at the coming session except to pass appropriation bills," 1 declared Speaker Clark.
