El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-12-16
FIGHTING NEAR
CITYOF TORRE0N
Carranza Troops Reported
Pressing Villa Position;
Juarez Enters Denial.

A strong column of Carrancistas, un-
der Gen. Ilifonzo Vasques, is moving
on Torreon. The column was met
Tuesday afternoon by Villa forces at a
point west of San Pedro and but Few
miles from Torreon and a severe battle
resulted. The outcome is not known
Reports to this effect were brought
here Wednesday by Americans who
arrived from TorreOn.
Villa will take active charge Of the
defence of TOrreOn, according to the
Americans. The CarranZa force num-
bers 5000 and about 5000 men were sent
out from TOrreOn to meet them. The
proximity of the Carrancistas to Tor
reon resulted in the hurried change OF
Villas plans to come to the border, and
his return south, the Americans say.
Raiding parties presumably Carran-
cistas, were seen near the railroad line
north of TOrreOn. 1t is believed that
the line has already been cut north OF
the city. Juarez officials late WedneS-
day morning declared that the tele-
graph line to Torreon was working.
They professed to have received no re-
ports Of fighting in the vicinity of the
city, and declared that only few de-
tached bands have been operating in
the San Pedro region but that they will
soon be dispersed.
GuadaIajara "FnIlsS Again.
Guadalajara, the west coast metrOp-
oils against which strong columns have
been sent by Gen. Villa, has been evaCu-
ated without a fight, according to ad-
vices received by Gen. Tomas Ornelas in
Juarez and Villa agents on this side.
According to a message received by tho
Carranza consulate here Wednesday
morning. the city is still held by the
-CaFranZa forces and the commander,
Gen. Miguel Dieguez was in Geographic
communication with Laredo as late as
Tuesday evening.
The message received by Gen. Or
nelas simply states that the convention
forces hold the city and that the Car
rancistas retired" No mention is made
, regarding the direction they took or
whether they are being persued.
san Luis POtOsi Captured.
Further reports regarding the al
legged capture of San Luis PotOsi by
Gen. Pablo Gonzales have been received
by the Carranza consulate. These de-
! clare that Gonzales is in direct COM
mUnication with Laredo and that he
has announced the capture of the city
after three days of fighting. Villa
agents here declare there has been no
fighting around San Luis Potosi.
Carranza reports also state that
Jaumave, in the state of Tamaulipas,
near Victoria, has been captured after
heavy fighting by the forces of Gen.
CaballerO.
Rice Denies Report.
Emphatic denial is made by the Brit
ish ambassador, Sir Cecil SPRING. Rice,
Of the report from Mexico City that
credited Manuel PalafOX, minister Of
fomento, as saying that Carranza troops
were being moved from Neracruz. 20
TampicO on British transports The re-
port was wired to the ambassador by
II. c. Myles. British vice consul here.
Mr. Myles has received the following
telegram from his chief: There are
no British transports at either Veracruz
or Tampico. Spring-Rice."
Invitation to Gomez.
Manuel NagOre. judge of the criminal
court of Mexico City, has arrived in San
Antonio as an emissary from Zapata
to invite Emilio Vasquez Gomez to 90
to Mexico City and attend the conven-
ton, according to advices received here
The convention, which will choose a
provisional president, meets on Jan l.
Gomez has been reported as the choice
of Zapata for the presidency.