Evening star., 1914-11-13
Already in Possession of Rail-
road Between That Point and
San Luis P0t0si.
STEPS TAKEN FOR SAFETY
OF AMERICAN RESIDENTS
War More Extensive Than Mexico
Has Yet Seen. Is Indicated
as Possible.

Gen. villa has ordered an attack on
Tampico, Nee His army Is operating
from the city OF San Luis Potosi. which
was occupied without hring a shot.
Official dispatches received here today
say the people received villa with an
ovation.
1t will be several days before the
villa troops will be in position to be-
gin fighting at Tampico. but they are
already taking possession Of the rail-
road leading there from San Luis
Potosi. About 500 Americans are In
Tampico.
A number of American ships are in
the harbor there, and the American
consuls at San Luis Potosi has ar
ranged to notify the consul at Tampico
places of safety with the advance OF
the Villa army.
Classed as Important Seaport.
Tampico is next in Importance TO
Vera Cruz as a seaport. The possibility
Of withdrawal Of American forces from
Vera Cruz which then would fall into
the hands Of Gen. Aguilar. who Is loyal
to Carranza, probably determined Villa
to take possession of Tampico, to
which ammunition and war supplies
can be imported and rushed overland
through central Mexico to his other
columns.
AS many of the Mexican generals are
wavering In their allegiance to the Ae-
uescalientes convention, it is not eN-
pected that the eact strength OF either
faction will develop until the doubtful
ones definitely announce their Alignment
From Tampico today came word TO the
State Department that Gen. Luis Cabai-
lero, governor of the state of Tamaulipas.
had publicly announced his allegiance TO
Carranza and that the seaport feared AN
attack from the west.
A consular dispatch. however, said
Tamaulipas, Of which Gen. Eulalio
Gutierrez, named as provisional presl-
dent at the Aguascalientes convention,
was formerly governor, Will STICK ny
him. The Gutierrez forces are concen-
trating in the city of San Luis Potosi
| and may move eastward TO attack
Tompico.
Gonzales Position Doubtful.
Gonzales hitherto has been stanch
| friend of Carranza and an enemy OF
Villa. While some dispatches indicated
that Gonzales might stand by the con
| vention, many persons here conVersant
with the situation believed otherwise
While there is still a hope that hos
tflities will be averted by the generals
| themselves reaching an understanding
| whereby Carranza would retire. It ID
recognized that il civil war results II
will be much more extensive than any
| thing Mexico has seen.
| Larger forces than have ever before
been under arms have been accumu-
| lated, as many as 100000 men being
| we'll equipped. with almost that num-
ber in addition. available.
Villas Strategic Advantages.
No estimate of the forces Villa will
control is available as yet, but military
experts here think he already has
strategic advantages in the extent OF ter
ritory dominated by his men.
Secretary Daniels announced that
when the marines were removed from
Vera Cruz along with the remainder OF
Gen. Funstons army of occupation. in
stead of sending them to Pensacola
and Guantanamo he would have them
brought directly north to the League
Island navy yard at Philadelphia
Mr.. Daniels spoke of the marines fine
record of long and excellent service in
Mexico, and said he had decided they
were entitled to a period of rest and
recuperation in northern ports before
their return to routine duties in the
southern stations.