Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-04-03
American Ragtime Tinkles
From Piano Amid Scenes
of Rejoicing in Juarez
BY associated Press


BY Associated Press
Juarez, Mex, April 3. - With the
taking of Torreon by the rebels last
night constitutionalists now control an
immense wedge shaped portion OF
Mexico, with the point resting on Tor
reon, 500 miles south of here, and
the top extending along the American
border from Nogales, Ariz., to a point
Just west of Eagle Pass, Texas. AZ
Piedras Negras, known also as Ciudad
from Eagle Pass, there is a federal
garrison, but it does not now consti-
tute Il menace to the rebels.
The States now subject to the rebel
arms are Chihuahua, Sonora except
the port of Guaymas), most of Goa
hula, Durango and Sinaloa.
Yesterdays victory is said to make
the capture of Saltillo and Monclovia
in Coahuila, and Monterey, the key to
the State of Nuevo Leon. assured. The
main federal force, according to
Villas report to General Carranza, was
wiped out by death, wounds, capture
or flight at Gomez Palacio and Tor
reon. Mazatlan, the federal port in
the State of Sinaloa, by the release
of the veteran rebel army at Torreon,
also is in precarious state.
Assures Rebel Control
Thus, by his successful campaign OF
the last month, General Francisco
Villa has practically assured rebel
control of the vast territory of the
northern States of Mexico and gained
for himself the reputation of being the
foremost soldier of the country.
1t was but a little over a year age
that he started out from a village
near here with two companions, six
horses, seven dollars in money and q
meager supply of beans, coffee and
sugar. The horses at the time were
not paid for and Villas first act upon
capturing this city three months ago
was to repay the liveryman from
whom the horses We're borrowed"
Interest here to-day was divided in
speculation as to Villas future move
ments and the effect, if any. that the
rebel triumph would have in Wash
ington.
Men Embrace Each Other
Never III all it's dramatic history
since the Madero revolution of 1910
has JuareZ been so nearly mad with
enthusiasm as it was when Il foot mes
senger from military headquarters
ran through the streets shieking that
Torreon had fallen. Drunk with ella
ton, men embraced each other wher-
ever they met. Bells in the 300-year-
old mission of Guadalupe We're SET
ringing louder and faster than even
they have rung for religious purposes
khaki-clad rebel soldiers woke from
their sleep in the towns military bar
racks to cheer. Then, stirred by q
common impulse, their rifles were
turned loose into the air.
For a firna I'm n n hi ta pf I'll DaSc
supposed Juarez was again suffering
one of its periodical attacks.
Finely dressed officials, high in the
Carranza administration, threw their
arms around unwashed private SOL
diers in the streets and yelled their
delight. The municipal band, hastily
routed from their beds, paraded
through the streets playing the ma.
tional hymn and serenaded Carranza
until the constituuonalist first chief
tired of the music. In the gambling
hall conducted by Villas agents fol-
The benefit of the rebel treasury al
play ceased, while gamblers and game
keepers and spectators alike, shouted
their joy.
"Viva Villa!''
Through it all, only one name was
heard above all others. 1t was Villa
viva min =
gled freely with the highest officials
of the rebel government in a cabaret
resort and were invited to drink to the
glory of the insurgent arms. Vir.
tually the only place open in the Mex
ican border town where drinks might
be bought, the cabaret was crowded to
the doors with civil and military men
of all ranks. In all stages of dress
for the hour was late, they crowded
in to embrace friends and toast the
conquering general. In the midst OF
all the rejoicing, American ragtime
music tinkled from an antiuuated
piano In the corner, while American
women from Ell Paso danced the one
step with Mexican partners in the
middle of the big room.
Rush For Bridges
When the shooting of rifles and pts
tolls in celebration began, dozens of
federal sympathizers in Ell Paso awoke
and made rush for the international
bridges, thinking that, by some un-
expected stroke of fortune, federal
forces were attacking Juarez. But
they turned back crestfallen when in
formed by American soldiers on duty
at the bridges that the fall of Torreon
was the cause. Rebel soldiers guard
ing the Mexican end of the structures
saw the proceedings and howled taunt-
ing insults at the "Huertaistas" who
had come to see the federals retake
Juarez."
By o'clock in the morning the ex-
element had died away and the
streets were deserted. Plans are un-
der way for a formal celebration this
afternoon. over which General Car
rama will preside.
Samuel Belden Of San Antonio, Tex,
a friend of General Carranza, describ-
ed the scene in the Carranza home
when the long awaited news of victory
was received.
General Carranza had been talking
with Gomez Palacio off and on for
some time" Mr.. Belden said, and Was