New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-04
Rebel Leader Promises to
Send Greetings Back
Christmas.
EXPECTS TO REACH
CHIHUAHUA TONIGHT
Leaves Juarez with Three Mill
tary Trains, One Nearly
Mile Long.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]


Mexico by Christmas" was the farewell
message of General Pancho Villa as he
waved goodby to Juarez at 2:2O o'clock
this afternoon and his train steamed
southwark for the city Of Chihuahua,
which he expects to occupy by tomorrow
night without firing shot.
Villa becomes the absolute dictator OF
chihuahua by the evacuation of the state
capital by the Federals. and goes to the
city to take charge on invitation of the
people and the foreign consuls.
Preceding the military train which bore
Villa and his staff from Juarez were two
other military trains. carrying approx
mately 200 cavalry. two regiments of
artillery and food supplies in big quanu-
ties. The first Of these trains, nearly a
mile long, left at 800 o'clock. Ten can
non, under the command of Colonel Man
uel Bauche Alcalde, and coo cavalry, part
Of General Toribio's brigade, were aboard.
An hour later second train, containing
thirty-seven cars. got under way, with
more than 1000 cavalry aboard. Villas
train, besides carrying an escort of 800
men. was loaded with ten cannon, under
the command of Lieutenant Colonel Pablo
Cervin. A White Cross hospital car was
also attached TO this train.
On to Mexico City!
81 have been informed" said General
Villa, that only about four bridges and
eighty metres of track have been de-
stroyed between Juarez and the capital.
If this is so the damage should be re-
paired in time to permit us to reach chi
huahua by tomorrow night Work trains
have been repairing the road for two days
and should have about finished their job.
The telegraph is cut in several places be-
tween Chihuahua and Villa Ahumada. but
can be repaired in a short time WIRE
communication between the capital and
the border should be resumed easily py
Friday.
What am going 10 do after reach
Chihuahua How can I tell? 1t is GER
tain that we will lose no time In march
ing on Mexico City, and five are as sue
cessful as we have been lately we should
have possession os the national capital by
Christmas.
'T expect TO meet General Venustiano
Carranza in Chihuahua before the middle
of December. He Is coming overland
from Sonora, with a column of 1900 men,
led by General P. Alvarado. This column
will join my forces at the capital for the
march on the City Of Mexico.
I'VE will enter Chihuahua on Thursday
or Friday $500 strong General Maclovio
Herrera's command OF 9,40O cavalry is
waiting at Moctezuma for the troops
leaving Juarez to-day, and we will all
reach the capital together"
Seventeen hundred men and twelve ma
chine guns remain to garrison Juarez
General Aguirre Benavides will command
the garrison, which is composed of 1000
men from the brigade Of General Rosalio
Hernandez $50 under Colonel Manuel
Choa. and about 400 men from the di-
vision commanded by General BenaVdes.
Brave Soldier Of 10.
The Federal generals led by General
Salvador Mercado who with their troops
evacuated Chihuahua to save the people
from a siege and themselves from pos
sible capture. are reported 10 have
reached Ojinaga, on the eastern border,
late to-day. After delivering General
Luis Terrazas and his family at the bor-
der, Generals Mercado, Orozco, Salazar
and Caraves will leave for Monterey for
the purpose of joining the Federal forces
there for stand against Villa when he
moves 10 the south This was the plan
when the Federals left Chihuahua over
the Orient Railway on eleven troop trains.
which they abandoned at the Conchos
River marching overland for nearly sew
enty miles through the mountains.
Senior General may 1 accompany you
to Chihuahua" asked thirteen-year-old
Pedro Huerta of General Pancho Villa as
the rebel leader was preparing TO enter
his car for the journey to the south to-
day. General Villa looked the young
soldier over. He was dressed in the regu-
lation uniform of khaki. his face was pale
and he walked with difficulty.
Were you not wounded in the battle
Of TERRA Blanca last week?' asked the
General.
Isl. Senior General" was the reply.
And l fought for the cause in your
army for eight months
This with evident pride with shoulders
Strengthened and eyes flashing. General
Villas eyes filed with tears. With tender
ness he took hold Of the lads arm.
NO, my son, you cannot go with me.
You have done your Part of fighting for
while You must return TO the hospital,
where the good American doctors and
nurses will take care Of you until you
are we'll"
Turning to his aid General Villa said:
Major Fierro. give this man." and he
emphasized the word man. ten dollars
and see that he is well cared for, that
when he is fully recovered he is sent TO
me, and that he is accorded the treatment
which every brave soldier deserves
The money was given to the lad who.
though evidently disappointed, thanked
General villa, shook hands with him,
wished him pleasant journey and sue
cess TO the cause and limped off to the
hospital.
That boy" said General villa, lis one
OF the bravest of the men who fought for
freedom in Mexico to-day. ! have seen
him at the head Of an advancing column
and i'm the thickest of the fighting and
he has never fiinched, but those damned
Federals winged him at TERRA Blanca"
FederaIs Expected to Desert.
Wholesale desertions from the Federal
forces from Chihuahua and Ojinaga are
expected when Mercado and his army
reach the eastern border point opposite
Preside. Tex All Federals. whether Of
ficers or men, who cross the border into
the United States. whether armed or
not. will be promptly arrested by United
u,.A l,.lH M Frig NJ