The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-16
FEDERALS REPORTED
ADVANCING TOWARD
CITY Of CHIHUAHUA
Villa Turns Attention From
Pillaging to Prepare for
Attack-Situation Is
Less Critical

Juarez. December 15.--WhIIe rebel
headquarters in Juarcz today was send
ing urgent messages to Gen Francisco
Eiiin. the rebel commander at Chihua-
hua, telling him he was fncurring the
dispieasurc of foreign countries In hi.,
actions toward spaniards and other
foreigners and nsking him TO modify
his attitude. General villa himself was
said TO be seriously concerned over re-
nesyed federal acthsity.
Reports We're that federals were au-
J lvancing toward chihuahua from Torreon,
about 200 miles south villa has had to
scatter his forces by sending troops to
surround the federals at ojinaga. on the
border. while garrisoning Juarez and Chi
huahua. This was said to offer the fed
erals an opportunity to strike at Chihua-
hua' which was evacuated by them when
villa had all his forces together. Fed
eral troops were also reported on their
way from Monterey with a view of
strengthening the position of the Huerta
/ government in the interior.
Might Cut Off Supplies
/ - e'NeoNhA pli N<tlnuc ilud, WHICH is not
regarded as Imminent woald cut Villa off
any base on the border 1t was con-
| ceded by rebels that the first act of the
federals, should they arrive in the viein-
| ity of Chihuahua, would be to stop all
telegraph and railroad communication.
Thus the federal evacuation of Chihua-
!, hua, which occurred two weeks ago and
enabled Villa to enter the state capital
| without battle, would prove to be a
military trap out of which the rebels
would have to fight their way
| The plan which the rebel forces think
| the federals possibly are trying to work
out is to draw as many as possible of
the rebels toward Ojinaga while federals
| from the south reach Chihuahua Others
| believe the federal activity southwark
may be merely a preparation to check
Villas projected march On Torreon The
federals who retook Torreon, according
to refugees, now also occupy Parras, and
have charge of all the industries owned
| by the Madero family in the state of
!, Coahuila.
Situation Less Critical
| The situation at Chihuahua on account
| of the protest of Spaniards against their
expulsion from Mexico was less crti-
cal today. 1t was understood arrange
ments were made for the sending of an
official inquiry by the government to Villa
through Consul Letcher Villa was maxi
| ing. progress with the disposal of goods
which he seized from the Spaniards. All
the foodstuffs and clothing in the Spanish
I, retail stores were sold a less than half
| price and constitutionalist money was
accepted. Word came that Luis Terra
zas, Jr, for whose release from prison
an appeal was sent to Secretary of State
I Bryan already had granted forced loans
| to Villa. This took the form of checks
| in small denominations, aggregating $3.50, :
000 and the checks were being used as
currency.
| Luis Terrazas, Sir, who is refugee
| in El Paso. feared his son might meet
! with violence should he be unable to fur
nsh more funds. The father, however,
| was hopeful that representations by the
American government would result in the
| release of the prisoner.
| One explanation given by General Bena-
|