Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-01
Washington, However,
Does Not Fear Piedras
Negras Outbreak.
CLOSE WATCH IS KEPT
Three Thousand Refugees in
Line Waiting to Cross to
the American Side.

Washington, D. c., Oct. 1.-Offlcials
here do not fear any outbreak of dan
ger to Americans at Piedras Negras.
The situation, however, is being watch
ed very closely.
Piedras Negras, Mexico, Oct. L.
Confronted by the implied ultimatum
that the United States soldiers will be
used to prevent the destruction of the
international bridge here as well as
American property on the Mexican
side, every responsible chief of the
constitutionalist movement disappear
ed here today, leaving the town at the
mercy of federals should they attack
from the American side of the river.
Several looters were shot in the
streets here today by constitutional
ist troops, who are suppressing the
spirit of anarchy sternly.
All store are closed. 1t Is estimated
5000 refugees are In line waiting their
turn to go over to the American side.
The constitutionalists say they evac-
uated Piedras Negras to make a final
stand at Peyotes. Five hundred Amer
lean soldiers arrived today at Eagle
Pass to help Americans in case of
trouble.
STATES TO SECEDE.
FL Paso, Texas, Oct. 1.-At a con-
ference held in Hermosillo, five north
ern states of Mexico decided to Sc
cede from the federal government to
form the confederate states of Mex
leo, according to Americans arriving
today from Hermosillo.
The states whose representatives
agreed to the secession plan are So
nora, Durango, Coahulla, Sinaloa and
Chihuahua. Only the rebel state gov
ernment in chihuahua Joined In the
movement.
Venustiano Carranza is to be pres
ident of the new eonfederacy, say the
Americans, and in the cabinet will
be Gen. Angeles, a former federal
commander. as minister of war; Aug
ustin Labansat, minister of hacien.
das; Juan Sanchez Azcona, minister
of foreign relations. Eduardo Hay, it
is said, will also be given a place in
| the cabinet.
Lower California is not included in
! the new government, as the rebels
say the revolution there has not sue
ceeded.
TERROR GRIPS CITY.
Piedras Negras, Mex, Oct. Ter
ror has gripped this city. the provin-
cial g pital of the Mexican constitu-
tionali IS, viii the victorious north.
ward march of the federals and the
arrival of hundreds Of refugees from
the surrounding devastated country.
Obeying the instructions of United
States Consul Blocker, American res
idents of Piedras Negras joined the
exodus and hundreds OF persons
crossed the international bridge into
Eagle Pass this afternoon, many cars
rying such of their possessions as
they could on their backs
Seventy-three Americans crossed
the bridge.
Many Mexican refugees and a large
number Of Japanese were refused ad.
mission to the United States. II is
said that the MeXicans were likely TO
become public charges and that the
Japanese had no. made proper appli-
cation An appeal to Washington
for exception in the latter case will
al oge that the Japanese are in danger
of death from the federals for having
aided the constitutionalists.
1t is reported that many prisoners
confined in the jail on sedition charges
have been shot, among them Felipe
Sanchez, wanted in Carlo Springs,
, Tex, as a member of the smuggling
band charged with the murder of a
deputy sheriff.
At conference between Consul
Blocker and the cons.itutionalist au.
I.tPorities the American representative
( is believed to have failed to secure
i a promise that destruction of property
7 would cease. Consul Blocker then
conferred with army officers stationed
! here and the order to Americans to
leave Mexico resulted.
FOREIGNERS WARNED.
Consul BIocker's warning to foreign,
crs to quit Piedras Negras immediate.
ly was in anticipation of rioting should
the constitutionalists be forced to
. abandon their provisional capital AS
: the rebel army is being driven north
ward by the government troops under
d General Mas, the retreat ting insur-
s gents are setting fire to villages.
II Reports from the front last night in
n dicate that the federals are closing
2. in on the town of Sabinas, from which
, the constitutionalists are expected to
4 fall back either on Matamoras, across
4 the line from Brownsville, Tex, OF
ION Pfedraa NegraR