Arizona republican., 1911-04-14
STATE OF NORELOS OVERRUN
Priest Leads Formidable Outbreak in Southern Mexico Marches at Head of Two Thousand Well Armed Soldiers.

Mexico City. Mex, April 1S-(Spec- ial Correspondence of The Republi- can)-Reoprts are being circulated here to the effect that priest of MoreIos took the field last week with an army of one thousand armed men, enlisted for the cause of the lnsur- rcstionists. It is understood that this force has since been increased to more than two thousand and that 2 number of important towns have been taken by the priest-led army,
 which is one of the few well equipped bodies of soldiers in the southern part of Mexico The leader has refused to enlist any recruits not provided with arms. and his rapidly growing force is becoming a serious menace to the power of the government in the state of Horelos.
 In an interview given last week to a prominent man of this city the bishop of Mexico came out strongly against the instruction, and took stand with Diaz, giving entire en- dorsement to the measures of paclfl- cation taken by the present cabinet
 Since the reports of the action of the priest in Morelos have reached Mexico City no interview has been had with the bishop, and no eXpres- sion has been obtained from him re- garding the measures which will be taken to restore order in the church of the southern state but it is rumor- ed that a messenger has been sent to the priest threatening him with excommunication unless he suspends operations and disbands his forces.
 This active participation in the campaign against the government by q priest of the Roman Catholic church has not occasiOned surprise in the city as a number of the clergy have expressed themselves as in sympathy with the cause of the people, and the attitude of the priesthood toward the Diaz government has been a mat ter for question for several months in poIitical circles The close relations existing between the church dignitaT- ies and the lower classes, perhaps closer in MorelOs than in any other state of the country, has resulted in a feeling of sympathy which may be productive of lasting injury to the present government.
 The lines of the Inter oceanic rail road in MorelOs between Cuautla and Puebla have been taken over by the army of the priest and the line be- tween Amecameca and Cuautla has been destroyed. according to current reports. and unless dispatches from the south are entirely inaccurate the insrIrrecto force has taken complete possession of the strategic and inn portant cities of the state. The fed eraI garrison maintained in Morelos has been smaller than that stationed in the other states of Mexico owing to the small fear of a serious out break among the people. The govern ment will take steps to send troops to crush the troops of the warlike priest. if the negotiations carried on bv the bishop of Mexico prove un- successful in restoring order.
 The people in the vicinity of Mexico City are giving demonstrations show ing their discontent and sympathy with the forces of the insurrecto lead CTS. but the presence of the federal army in the city has prevented any disturbance of serious proportions arising, and it is hoped by the off cials that as the disaffection subsidies in the more remote sections of the country the people in the vicinity of the city will gradually come to sup mort the government.