South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-03
HOPE
To FIND SAFETY
ACROSS BORDER
Several Thousand Persons
Among Them a Number of
Wealthy Men, Are Heading
For the United States.

JUAREz. Mexico. Dec. Fleeing
ove the desert and pursued by rebels.
several thousand persons. including
some OF the richest families in north
ern Mexico. who deserted Chihuahua
City in fear Of a rebel attack, Tues
day night were reported TO be nearing
the United States border.
Among the refugees is Luis Terra
zas, head Of the wealthy Terrazas es-
tate. who is said to have with him
100000 pesos which he withdrew
from the chihuahua banks. Other
wealthy families including some OF
the Creels. are known to have left
the city. The caravan in which are
women and children. is described as
being more than a mile long. At the
head. with an escort Of federal troops,
IS Gen. Salvador MercadO. Hue-ta's
depOsed governor Of chihuahua State.
Details OF the evacuation Of the
city and the exodus OF the people were
brought 20 Juarez in official dispatch
es from Federico Moye. who was ap-
pointed civil governor ad interim.
MOye's dispatch was addressed TO Gen.
Francisco villa and it called upon the
rebel leader TO take possession OF the
city.
Story of Downfall.
The story OF the downfall Of the
Huerta power in the city is told thus
by the refugees:
For almost three weeks Chihuahua.
with its $4,000 citizens. had been cut
of from communication; the foOd
supplies were steadily decreasing and
many deaths resulted from Illness
caused by semi-starvation. Rumors
of the proposed attack on the city.
vuCuarufa1 hv rancrfu fhqf tho rahatg
had been supplied with ammunition
from the United States and the city
was TO be ~bOmbarded, increased the
anxiety.
A citizens committee was finally
appointed to call upon Gen. Mercado
and ask him to surrender to the
rebels, as resistance would be hope
less. After a delay and in the alb
sence OF any communication with
Mexico City. Gen. MercadO decided 10
flee. Those who wished to go were
given notice to gather their posses
siOns. Reports had been received that
the Terraza family. which is reported
10 own almost half Of the LAND and
the cattle in the state. would suffer
severely at the hands Of the rebels.
Cen. TerraZas, the aged head of the
family, therefore withdrew his money
from the banks and placed 1t in the
caravan. in the hope Of getting it out
Of the country.
Exodus Began Sunday.
Early on Sunday, after the sur
rounding country had been reconnOit-
cred, the exodus began. Gen. MercadO
first turning over the portfolio of state
TO Senior Moye, who was directed TO
notify Villa that the federal troops
formally surrendered. Gov. MOye is
sued a proclamation declaring the
capital rebel territory.
The route TO Ojinaga. which the
.aF.r,1a ~oro ~AnnrFn1 70 hnrrn folrnn
is about 1S5 miles long. Gen. Villa
said ne had sent a detachment iii
pursuit OF the federal troops n also
TO attack the TerraZa property, but
A. was not believed the rebels would
be able 10 overtake the a
Villas men had been ordered not to
fire upon the non-cOmbatants.
Gen. PaScual OrOZcO. who fought
with Madero in 1911. but later turn
&c against him and supported Huerta,
took 1000 federals into the noun
tains west Of Chihuahua With him
is Gen. Jose Ynes Salazar. 1t is said
by villa that these federals will at
tempt later TO engage the rebels.
villa a Former Bandit.
Gen. Villa, who now assumes mill
itary command of all the north and
whose authority is second only to that
OF Gen. Carranza, recognized as the
revolutionary provisional president,
entered the revolution five months
ago with only q borrowed revolver.
lie is a former bandit and for 20
years under Diaz. was sought as an
outlaw.
Elated by the capture Of Chihuahua
without ~blOodshed. Villa prepared for
the despatch Of more troops south. He
said 10000 troops were to be cOncen-
trated at chihuahua as the main force
by which the rebels hope TO COM
pletely crush the Huerta regime. The
troop movement is TO be expedited as
the construction of the railroads per-
nit.
At Chihuahua the provisional cap
ital will be established from which
Carranza and Villa will direct further
reon as strOnghOlds, the campaign by
Wills will be directed against Zacate-
cas-. the rich mining center in the
heart OF the republic.
villa said he will have troop trains
operating TO Torreon. $50 miles south
OF the border. within two weeks.
MORE REFUGEES ARRIVE.
LAREDO, Texas. Dec. g. one
thousand refugees hay arrived here
from Mexico within the past - hours
and another train bearing 800 fugi-
tive Americans. Spaniards. Germans
n MeXicans OF the wealthy class, is
due Tuesday. Among the recent ar
rivals are ten embers OF the Madero
family, who charge that Gen. Huerta
is trying TO exterminate the family in
Mexico.
rINuT M RI ruATnD