Evening journal., 1914-11-19
Rr The 1rnitod prons

by Ihe United Press.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-News of
serious fighting between the Mexian
factions was expected by the State
Department today from its agents in
Mexico City. In a message filed yes
terday, Consul John r. Silliman stated
that II was reported that General villa
with his entire army, was moving
against Queretaro and lrapuato.
where the troops Of General Pablo
Gonzales, still loyal to Carranza, are
entrenched. II is believed here that
the fighting already has been begun
The fighting is declared to be due
to the vacillating policy of General
Carranza. After agreeing TO withdraw
and turn the government over to Cen
eral Gutierrez. Carranza apparently
changed his mind. He announced that
he had been misunderstood, and that
while ready TO withdraw himself he
proposed TO give up the government
only to a man of his own selection.
This decision TO defy the Aguas Cal
ientes convention mandate was fol-
lowed by orders from Gutierrez to
villa 10 advance and take Mexico City.
according to reports from both Silli-
man and Consular Agent George c.
Carothers, who is with villa.
The officials here believe that the
fighting will be short and decisive.
They also believe that the convention
forces will win. But II is declared to
be the intention Of the government
here to maintain an attitude Of strict
neutrality toward the factions, realiz-
ing that the leaders of each are
pledged to respect the rights and lives
of foreigners.
Meanwhile the evacuation of Vera
Cruz by the American troops has
commenced. Some Of the troops are
already on the transports and the
others will be on, with all of their
equipment, by Monday, as ordered by
Secretary of State Bryan. The GUS
toms duties collected by the Ameri-
cans, which now reach close to two
million dollars, have been deposited
in one Of the United States sub
treasures. where they will remain
| pending decision as to who Is to rule IN
Mexico So far as Vera Cruz is con-
cerned, II will be turned over by Gen
Funston to the officials who were in
| charge there when the American
/ bluejackets and marines landed and
took the town. These men have al.
ready in part assumed their duties
according to reports reaching the au-
thorities here
The reports here from Mexico are
conflicting. One telegraph unof.
ficially declared that villa had i'm.
prisoned all of the delegates to tn,
Aguas Calientes convention and was
holding them as a matter of military
necessity"
There was, however, no confirmation
of this report. and it was doubted b.,
Acting Secretary of State Lansing
whose advices indicated that the rela
tions between Villa and Gutierrez ar
most friendly. But in the absence o
direct information no denial was mad,
as it is admitted that at present almos
anything is possible in Mexican affairs
It is pointed out, however, that Gut
ierrez, with Villa loyal to him, control
all of Northern Mexico. the most valu
able section of, the republic and tina
the anti i-Carranzistas are within 20
miles of Mexico City. I'm addition. y,
pata with his forces, who are Just sout
OF the Federal district, are loyal to q
decree of the peace convention. Viii
the administration regrets that the ia
tions failed to live up 60 their pea
agreement, inasmuch as apparent
fighting must come, It will be welcom,
as there will be nc doubt of the victor
ability TO re-establish a stable COVER
ment, there being now only two re
factions in the country instead of abol
dozen.