Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-12-07
Readiness With Which Many
Important Posts Have Been
Abandoned ArouSeS SuSpi-
cion of InSurreCto Leaders,
FORCE OF 20 THOUSAND
REBELS CONCENTRATING
ConstitutionaIist General Ex-
poets to Enter Chihuahua
Formally at Noon Today is
Report,

fsY goHNiAG JOURNAL SPECIAL LEAfup WiRGl
Juarez Moxico, Dec. 6.--The feel
ing spread among rebel leaders today
that the Huerta government was pre-
pairing some sinister surprises in con-
nection with the projected march Of
Cen Francisco Villas army toward
Mexico City.
That the federal troops had aban-
doned all the northern part of tn
republic after they had been beaten
and forced from their strongholds to
seek safety in the mountains or on the
United states border, and after Gen
salvador Mercado the federal COM
mander. pronounced his forces bank
rupt. was not accepted as indicating
that the rebels will be unresisted IN
their advance south. Some belief was
expressed that the federals had an oo-
icct in evacuating Chihuahua and
other Isolated federal garrisons where
il was impossible for them 10 do much
more than defend themselves and that
their purpose in abandoning their
posts was to permit a more concerted
and energetic defense in the central
and southern states, where forts are
more numerous and cOmunication be-
tween them easy.
General Villas intention to aug
ment his army Of 1000 by the scat
coed bands abou. TorFeon and Zaea-
tecas and to mass solid force Of
10000 or more rebels on the march
tc Mexico city, would place the rebels
in a position which they never before
had feen in Heretofore they have
been scattered while the strength Of
tie federals was divided by their hav-
ing to garrison the northern cities.
AS they gain territory the relative
positions of tho federals and rebels
will he reversed, the rebels having o.
protect what they have won, while
the federals will be more at liberty
for aggressive fighting. II was this
condition. that led villa to consider
whether the government at Mexico
City was not planning a campaign Of
considerable extent for the south ana
whether the comparatively undisci-
plined rebel forces might not have to
contend with greater numbers and ST.
Derior fighting machinery
Noon tomorrow was fixed by villa
for his entry into Chihuahua, the
state capital, evacuated week ago by
General Mercado, who with six other
generals and 5000 troops and civil
ians, are fleeing toward the border at
Ojinaga
General villa tonight was camped
at Sauz about thirty miles north OF
Chihuahua. Communication between
the city and his camp was by courier
as The telegraph tetween the points
rad not been restored
Federico Moye, the civil governor,
announced his readiness to turn the
city over TO the new authority. 1t is
the first time since the days before
President Diaz that this capital has
changed authority while a revolution
was pending. The event viii be sig
halized by the ringing Of bells and
me blowing Of bugles.
Word came from the vicinity Of Oil !
naga, on the Texas border, that Gen
eral Mercado and the other federal
Officers and troops were moving
slowly because many Of the civilians
were on foot and the federals had
guaranteed not to desert them until
the border was reached. The pictur
esque exodus IF the people across the
desert has attracted thousands or
people to Presidio, Texas, opposite |
Oinaga
Somewhere behind the refugees a
bullion train struggling across the |
desert with S2,506 600 from the silver
mines at Parril.
Parral has been cut off from train /
service for months and it was decided I
TO bring the silver to the border in /
wagons.