The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-17
ENTIRE ESTATE OF
LOUIS TERRAzAS
IS CONFISCkTED
Wealthy Mexican's Property
Siezed by Villas Order.
Son Held Prisoner.
Refugees Arrive

Juarex, Mex, December 1G.-AH the
property of Luis Terrazas, Sr., Enrique
Greel and Juan CreeI. including banks.
mines, vast areas of land, thousands
of head of cattle, homes and personal
effects, were ordered confiscated to the
rebels I'm official decree issued by
Gen. Francisco villa today.
Mr., Terrazas, now a refugee in the
United States, is one of the richest men
In Mexico. His holding of about two
thirds of the state of Chihuahua are said
to place him among the most extensive
land owners of the world. The combined
brothers, his nephews, is valued at many
millions of dollars Enrique creel was
formerly ambassador from Mexico to the
United States.
General Villas decree, issued at Chihua-
hua city, was sent TO Juarez and given
out officially. 1t was intended as a no.
tice that should the revolution succeed,
neither the Terrazas nor the Cree families
will be allowed any indemnity for their
losses
The decree accuses the Creels and the
Terrazas families of withholding taxa
tion and of fomenting the treachery of
Orozco and Huerta." and states that the
property shall be given to the widows and
orphans caused by bloodshed, among the
Mexicans. All contracts made with the
Creels and Terrazas since February IS,
1918, are declared void.
Son Held Prisoner
Luis Terrazas, Jr., eldest son of the land
owner is held a prisoner at Chihuahua,
and the rebels have appropriated to their
use as much of the movable property as
they could seize.
Efforts We're made by rebel leaders
working directly with General Villa today
TO effect some sort of a settlement in
regard to the property of the expelled
Spaniards. 1t was said that proposal
kwas made to invoice all the property in
the Spanish stores and shops and TO allow
the claims to rest against the rebel gov
ernment General villa replied he was
willing 70 pay for the properly isi se-
called constitutional money, which the
spaniards, before their departure. de-
clared to be worthless.
Two hundred more refugees, intending
Americans and spaniards. reached NJ
Paso from Chihuahua today.
Mrs. Letcher Arrives
Among the arrivals was Mrs Marion
Letcher, wife of the United States consul
at Chihuahua. Mrs Letcher said il the
consul had been prevented by Villa from
sending cipher ges to Washington,
as had been reported by refugees, she had
not heard of it.
Threatened with an attack at Chihuahua
by federals. reported to have advanced
northward from Torreon, General Villa to-
day dispatched 1000 rebels as an advance
guard to head off the federal troops.
The decision of the federal troops to
show aggressive action was believed to
have resulted from the fact that the
rebels had to scatter their forces in fol-
lowing General Mercado's retreat to
Ojnaga on the border. Villa has about
200O soldiers in the vicinity of Oiinaga and
s0o0 in Juarez, which leaves him less than
5000 in Chihuahua.
With Torreon, an important railroad
center, directly south of Villas present
position. the federals have a base from
which the rebels believe movement to-
ward Chihuahua has begun.