The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-04
THE WAR WILL NOT
LAST MUCH LONGER.
SAYS GENERAL VILLA
Rebel Leader Declares Lift
ing of Embargo Means
Huerta's Doom Is
Now at Hand

Juarez, Mex. February S.-''The MeXi-
can war will not last much longer"
General Francisco Villa and other rebel
leaders made this comment on the an
nouneement from Washington today that
President Wilson had lifted the embargo
against the shipment of arms and am
munition into Mexico General villa was
confident that his ability to procure un-
limited arms soon would multiply rebel
victories, and equally confident that the
news from Washington would discourage
and demoralize the federals so that a
speedy termination OF the war would re-
suit
Half of the strength of the Huerta
forces. General Villa said depended on
their ability to obtain arms from foreign
countries, while the rebels through the
towns they controlled along the United
States border, were denied this privilege.
Smuggling never had brought satisfac-
tory results, he said and the rebels here
tofore had to capture their fighting weap-
ons from the federals. as vas done at
Ojlnaga.
To Order Ammunition
The immediate effect of the lifting of
the embargo, it was admitted. world be
the ordering of great quantities f,f am
munition, cannon and modern rapid fire
pieces
Negotiations already had been opened
with manufacturers in the United States
for the purchase Of war supplies in the
event the embargo should be lifted. The
rebels say their trea sury is supplied with
funds to make purchases.
The resignation of Huerta or the recog-
milton of the rebels by the United States
alone could have caused more joy to Cen
eral Villa. Had the action been taken
a few months ago he said, the war prob
ably would have been over by now. He
thought a few months would witness the
restoratio of constitutional government
throughout the republic. When he heard
the report General Villa at first was in
eredulous, but when details were impart-
ed to him he embraced his informant and
waving his cap in the air, cried. THE
war will soon be over%
Victory for Rebels
while the lifting of the embargo ap-
plies equally to us and to the Huerta
army, 1t really is victory for us, be-
cause Huerta has been able to obtain
arms in spite of the United States and
we had not General Villa said later.
Il think President Wilson is the most
just DldH III the WOTlu- All MtNlCdnS Will
love him now, and we will look upon
the United States as our greatest friend,
because it has done us Justice.
The latest development will cause no
change in the. rebel plans to attack Tor
reon except that If possible field pieces
Will be sent to open the siege. General
Villa himself may be delayed here to
purchase more ammunition.
The rebels thought the news of the lift
ing of the embargo would result in de-
moralizing the Torreon federals, and even
might cause them to eyacuate that city
at the opening of the attack General
Villa believed the news would be withheld
from the ranks.
On the American side customs officials.
department of justice and United States
marshals staffs will be relieved of much
responsibility and extra work The Presi-
dents action also win relieve the army
of much heavy duty.
United States border patrol troops viii
remain stationed along the international
line. according to General Hugh l.. Scott.
He said troops would be kept on the bor-
der 10 prevent maraudng parties from
crossing, and to prevent invasions of
Mexico by armed forces. The troops
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(COutIpued On page E0urteeu.