Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-12-02
COMMANDER IS FLEEING
MILITARY GOVERNOR BURNING
SANDS in EFFORTS TO REACH
THE BORDER
HUERTAS DOWNFALL COMING
coNsTlTUTioNALIsTs SAY THEY
WILL TAKE MEXICO CITY
WITHIN A MONTH +

Juarez, Mex Dec. 2.-Hasty prepa-
rations were under way today in the
rebel ranks for the prompt occupa-
tion Of Chihuahua, the capital Of Chi
huahua state. which is reported to
have been evacuated by the federal
troops because Of threatened starva-
ton of its $4,000 population.
Pointing out that Of the important
federal strongholds in the north only
Monterey and Guaymas remained
General Francisco villa, the rebel
leader, said Chihuahua would be
made the base OF aggressive activity
southwark.
When rebel forces will be sent to
pursue General Salvador Mercado,
Huerta's military governor, who is
reported to be fleeing to the United
States border at Ojinaga with 1900
famished soldiers, and Generals Oroz-
co and Salazar said to have taken q
the mountains, villa declined to Say
definitely, but said that the rebel ad
VANCE toward Mexico City would cer
tinue, brislSIy.
viii be she's
said VIVA. we are confident Il
when the people il the capital reaii5
that we have captured almost all til
north and are in sight Of the citys
gates they will voice their feelings,
which they are now afraid to do, and
will clamor for the downfall of the
usufper A mob in the capital can
GUST Huerta in day"
With $500 rebels and 16 field piec-
es advanced as far as Carrizal, 80
miles south Of Juarez.. on the way to
Chihuahua, villa viii remain here
until he communicates with General
Venustiano Carranza before he per-
sonally proceeds south. AT Chihuahua
he expects to join General Chao and
other rebel leaders, and. with a COM
bined force Of 5000, proceed toward
Zaeatecas, the first important city
south of Toreon. Other rebel forces
with villa are to proceed up tho
west coast toward Guadalajara.
According to late reports which
Villa said he received by couriers who
travelled overland 1870 miles to villa
Ahumada, where the telegraph line
has been connected with Juarez, the
desertion of Chihuahua by the feder-
.als was brought about BY the press@
ure Of the citizens. The people, it was
said. protested that if the federal garri.
son resisted, the fighting would re-
suit in the wholesale killing Of nom
combatafits. that the poor were hale
starved and that the wealthy resi-
dents could not expect mercy at the
hands Of the invaders.
General Mercado is said to have de-
cided on flight to the American bor-
der SO that he could communicate
with Provisional president Huerta.
Communication between Chihuahua
and Mexico city has been impossible
for weeks.
chihuahua People Flee
Reports received today from the
telegraph outpost at villa Ahumada
stated that hundreds Of men, women
and children were fleeing across the
desert from Chihuahua to Oiinaga and
the border points. Long wagon
trains. horses and burros, laden with
household goods and vaSaables and fol-
lowed by scurrying horde Of people
on foot, were seen.
It appears as though almost the
whole city, carrying Its richest pos
sessions. had been set in motion sud-
denly and was struggling through
clouds Of dust to keep pace with 8
hurrying escort Of federala accordips
TO the rebel scouts. Among the Is.
II fupnes were said to be members a.