New-York tribune., 1912-03-13
MEXICO WANTS Ell PAS0
CLOSED TO RIFLE TRADE
Detrimental to Its Government
TO Let Arms for Rebels
Cross the Border.
OROZCO NEARLY BOTTLED UP
Federal Forces So Massed About
Torreon That It Should Be
Impossible for Him to
Give Battle.

| IFrom Special Correspondent OF Inc Atlou"e'i
| Mexico City, March 12s-Appeals are
being made to Washington by the repre-
sentatives of important American inter-
ests here for the State Department %
reserve it's ruling not to close the port
of FL Paso against shipments OF arms
and ammunition. 1t Is said to be un-
| fair and detrimental not only to the
Mexican government but to American
| and other foreign business interests, 10
allow rifles and cartridges to pass freely
over the border from FL Paso to Juarez
in the fact of what is almost morai
certainty that the arms Will go 10 the
rebels, no matter to whom they are os-
tensibly consigned. The effect cannot
fail to prolong the resistance Of the
rebels, besides tending to increase the
perplexities of the situation for the
United States.
One particularly strong appeal on the
subject has been directed to Henry w.
Taft brother of the President. telling
| him that the action Of the State Depart
ment is harmful and that II is vital that
the Washington government eliminate
this strong factor in favor OF the reoeis.
The opinion is expressed here that the
opposition to closing the port set UP D.
I'll Paso business men had effect with
the state Department. 1t is known that
certain FL Paso men are profiting huge
~ hv the sale Of arms at far above their
regular prices TO persons on the Mexi-
can side of the border, and complaint Is
made here. even among Americans, that
the neutrality. laws are not so enforced
that this source of supply for munitions
of war to the rebels is cut off and the
members Of the Vasquista Junta, who
are notoriously and fagrantly active in
San Antonio and other Texas points, ap-
pretended
Dispatches received to-day by the
government from Chihuahua confirm the
runners of dissension and desertions
| among the rebels under Orozco. reports
crediting Orozco with failing TO pay over
TO the men who served under him last
year more than a small proportion Of
the large sums given him. out of the gov
| ernment treasury. The irresolution of
Orozco In failing to advance his cam
paign with more vigor and the desire
Of the rank and file to re permitted to
| loot the city of Chihuahua are the prin-
| cipal causes for discomfort.
Orozco is virtually bottled up, so far as
concerns his plan to advance upon Tor
reon and Mexico City. by the removal of
rails over seven kilometres Of track be-
tween Chihuahua and Torreon, With
| the number OF federal troops, cannon
and rapid fire guns massed in and about
Torreon in preparation for an advance
upon the rebels. II should he impossible
for Orozco to give battle with any hope
/ OF success.
Manifestations of sympathy by the
| people throughout the republic for tre
government occur daily, and volunteer
corps are forming in almost every state
as well as in every municipality of inn
| portance.
Thursday will see another big govern
ment demonstration in this city by or
ganized business concerns and wealthy
Mexicans. the feature of which will be
line of several hundred automobiles
Americans here consider the general sit
uation to have improved immensely
within the last week. and express their
confidence that the tide has turned and
that Madero will win out
The fear expressed by all foreigners