Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-21

Constitutionalist Headquarters, Yer
mo. Durango, Mexico. March 21.-"Tor-
reon will be mine in a week." said GEN
eral Villa today. With cannon planted
and everything in readiness, Villa and
$4,000 men today were almost pre-
pared to begin the investment of Tor
reon in what is considered to be the
decisive battle of the revolution. The
rebel army gained the outpost of the
federal stronghold without resistance,
with scarcely a shot to check their
preparation among soldiers and civil
ianS as to the time the battle will be-
gin.
The rebel columns occupied the en-
virons of the city without opposition
and the day was spent in wheeling or
dragging the field pieces into position
to shell tiei federal trenches. which
have been dug at every point where
the federal commander, General Re
fugio Velasco, expects attack.
The federal army is estimated at
5000 men. South and southwest of
the city General Velasco's position is
regarded as almost impregnable by
reason of the mountains through
which only three passes run. These
have 'een rendered almost impossible
by fortifcations and barbed wire en-
tanglements. In other directions the
city is reached through the desert and
high hills.
Villas recent progress has been slow
because it was necessary to repair the
railroad tracks and bridges. This
morning, however, the road was open
from Yermo, where the troops have
been mobilizing, to Mapimi and Mer-
meji1lo, which are only few miles
north of Torreon, and are virtually
suburbs of that city.
Army Traverses Desert.
At these two cities the troops de-
trained and formed in columns in the
intense heat.
There was little loss Of time IN
plunging into the desert, some mount
ed and others on foot. Great clouds
of fine desert dust marked their pro-
gress over hummocks of cacti crown
ed sand and through dry water
courses. Great tank wagons laden with
the water supply which has teen
Villas greatest problem, rumbled In
the train, the wheels ct times almost
hub deep in the sand.
Villa has food for a month, 1000
of cartridges to the man, and
his railroad service, unless cut, can
maintain the water supply indefinitely.
George C. Carothers, special repre-
sentative of the state department, ar
rived yesterday from Ell Paso and will
be the guest of General Villa, whom
he has known for many years,
the campaign. His particu-
l. duty will be the safeguarding of
the rights of foreigners.
o'shausnessy May Resign.
Mexico City, March 21.-Nelson
O'Shaughnessy, American charge
de'affaires. admitted yesterday that he
was seriously considering the question
of resigning. He says, however, that
if he does resign it will be because of
his bad state of health. Mr.. O'Shaugh-
nessy's physician is not optimistic re-
garding his patients early recovery
from his attack of sciatica.
Provisional President Huerta yester-
milton consigned to il by the United
hassy here to receive arms and ammu.
Jay agreed TO permit the American en-
States government for the protection
Of American citizens In the event or
disturbance in the federal capital
The receipt by the American em-
bassy of the consignment of guns and
which includes $50 rifles
and two machine guns comes after q
sharp controversw between General
Huerta's government aud the embassy
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