Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-20
Senor Riano Takes Up Chi
huahua ExpuIsions With
State Department.
SEIZURE OF BIG ESTATES
HELD TO BE JUSTIFIABLE
Constitutionalists Say Creel and Ter
razas Were Foes of the
Revolution.

Senor Rlano, the Spanish ambassador
here, acting under instructions from
Madrid, formally denied to the State
Department today that Spanish sub
jects in Mexico aided the Huerta
cause. as contended by Gen Villa, who
defended his action in confiscating
Spanish property by charging that
Spanish residents in Chihuahua had
violated the neutrality laws The fol-
lowing statement was made public by
Acting Secretary Moore:
Reports received at the Department
of State through the Spanish embassy
deny that the Spaniards in Mexico have
taken part in politics there and affirm
that they have always observed the
strictest neutrality in the affairs Of
Mexico.
These reports also declare that state
mentS that have been sent out from FL
Paso that the Spaniards expelled by Gen.
Villa had made a public demonstration
in favor of intervention by the United
States or have committed other acts of
political affairs in Mexico, are un-
founded"
Summary of Situation.
The department issued this summary
of late reports from Chihuahua:
1.-The confiscation of Spanish properties
in Chihuahua is confirmed by State De-
partment advices.
Gen. Villa is said to claim that the ex-
pulsion of the Spaniards saved their lives,
as they were in danger of massacre by
the populace. Participation in political
affairs is also charged, but those persons
who could prove themselves guiitiess of
participation will be permitted to return
and will be given indemnity for their
losses.
Further reports from Chihuahua say
Gen. Villa denies ordering the detention
of women and children refugees. They
are said to be free to leave at will.
Foes of Constituencies.
Regarding the confiscation by Gen.
Villa in Chihuahua of the property of
Enrique c. Creel and Gen. Luis Ter
razas, constitutionalists here said today
that these two men have actively assisted
Gen. Huerta and have consistently OPP
posed the cOnstitutiOnalist movement and
are therefore looked upon as enemies Of
that cause. Senior Creel' was formerly
Mexican ambassador here. In 1912 he
was made president of the Aguila Oil
Company, the principal Mexican concern
controlled by Lord CoYdray. He was
minister of foreign affairs when Lord
Cowdray's company got it's first impor-
tant oil concession from the Diaz govern
ment.
The desertion of a large force of fed
erals. including 800 soldiers, from the
garrison at Guaymas, on the west coast
OF Mexico, was reported in message re-
ceiyed today by the cons nstitutionalist con-
fidential agency here from their head
that the federalS had sent word that they
wanted to join the constitutionalists and
that a troop train had been sent to re-
ceive them.
First Large Desertion.
This is the first desertion of a large
body Of troops from the federal forces.
although the constitutionalists say that
small numbers are going over to their
side constantly. Guaymas has been sur
rounded by the rebels for a long time,
but no general attack has been made on
it because OF the strength of the federal
position.
Reports that fighting had been begun
again at Tampico have not been con-
firmed in the dispatches received at the
Navy Department from Rear Admiral
Fletcher. A brief message from him
today said that the situation there
continues quiet and unchanged. Be
cause of the fact that most messages
from Admiral Fletcher are sent here
by cablegram from Vera Cruz rather
than by wireless, information received
from him Is usually several hours late.
Changes in Admirals' Stations.
Some important changes among the ad-
mirals in command of the divisions of the
Atlantic fleet engaged in duty in Mexican
waters or soon to be there have been an
nounced by the Navy Department. Rear
Admiral Henry L. Mayo, recently aid
for personnel, is on his way to Vera Cruz
to relieve Rear Admiral Frank L. Beatty
of the command of the fourth division.
consisting of the Connecticut. Kansas and
the Ohio (when the latter ship is released
from quarantine aid arrives there). Ad-
miral Beatty will relieve Rear Admiral
Cameron MGR. Winslow of the command
of the first division of the fleet, and Ad
miral Winslow will take the winter
course at the Naval War College. Rear
Admiral Clifford J. Boush commanding
the second division. comprising the
Louisiana and the New Hampshire, will
sail northward with those ships upon the
arrival at Vera Cruz tomorrow of the
Kansas and Connecticut, the latter vessel
being the flagship of Admiral Mayo.
Rear Admiral Fletcher remains in COM
mand of the Mexican squadron.
MEXICO GETS LOAN.