The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-21
VilIa Is II Front Of Torrsen
with 1900 Men.
no RESISTANCE ENCOUNTERED
Approach to tho City Made
without Opposition.
~Mine in . Week. Boasts the
Rebel Chleftain.

Constf tutionalists Headuuartera
Yermo. Durango. Ae--ico. March H.
General Pancho villa. with his 11,ooo
rebel soldiers. today was prepared to
hurl the nrst shell into the trenches
around Torreon in what he considered
the most important battle Of the CON-
stitutionalist revolution. Full Of con-
hdence. General Villa has transmitted
his energy to his subordinates and the
camp at YermO presented q scene
which never had marked q revolution
ary movement in Mexico. Tho peon
final touches to the establishmont of
tho rebel plans for opening the e.
sault.
Refreshed by . nights slesp amer
their long, hard march through the
desert from Mapimi ana Berma5i11o.
Villas khali-clad soldiers sprung to
their work with q 1eGt. The beginnfue
OF today saw the rebel army stationed
on the outskirts Of the federal strong
hold. position they had gained with
out resistance ana with scarcsly .he
sound OF q shot to check their prop-
arations for an assault. s{
Within Torre0n all was compare
lively quiet and none In the rebel
camp knew what preparation velaco
was making to repel the onslaught Of
SAAo AOvOA0SAOAAo&8s : 0VoCOl8GIOu - 70
when tho battle win begin was rife to-
day among the soldiers and civilians,
who had followed the rebel leador
south from Chihuahua, but Wills an
swered all inquiries with the taunt
that, 'Torreon win be mine in .
week.
Negotiations Reopened.
Washington. March 31.-secretaxy
Bryan announced today that there had
Deen q conference at Vera CruS, be-
tween John Land and senor Porti1lo y
Rojaa. minister Of foreign affairs of
Secretary Bryan said no word had
reached him.
Significance was attached here to
the conference as reopening negotia-
tons. discontinued some time ago. The
further fact that Charge O'Shaugh-
messy and Charge Hohler. the latter
Of the British legation also had gone
to Ver4 Crux, gave added hope In Dip
lomatfc circles, that some develop
ments. might be expected.
Secretary Bryan said he knew moth
ing of the reports from Mexico City
that Mr. OShaughnessy might resign
because of Ill health.
Villas Word IL Law.
chihuahua, March z1.-A PROPOSE
ton to hold an election for officers
of the state of chihuahua recently
was put to General villa by q delega-
clared that until the revolution II over
the government must be military.
ANY election which was held now
would necessarily be q military eloc-
ton, which is one Of the very fmpor-
tant things we are fighting aGninnt %
General Villa replied.
Outside the activities Of a few I'm
idealists, as they are gem
orally characterized. the public for the
present Is indifferent as to the form Of
government which will come after the
revolution. although its success u ex-
pected. Meanwhile General vfla's
word u law. He IL the executive and
judicial departments OF government
rolled into one and he likes It. When
in this city he HIVES in a palace con-
from an exiled aristocrat. He
wears wide-brimmed soft hat and
it IL Of rich texture.
The high. the low and the middle
justice are his. BeggarD come to him
Tor aims or permission to solicit than
on the streets Does . cook want .
job. q citizen wish to recover stolsn
spoons. or mine owner wish to move
a hundred thousand dollars worth Of
supplies to his property. II IL all the
same; Villa decides. Tho restraint
which the former outlaw has put upon
his own conduct, has earned him the
admiration OF great many former
critics. Compared with tho forebod-
ings felt about his rule, his mistakes
are said to have been remarkably
few. and his admirers insist that his
mental and moral stature grows ~
responsibilities are thrust upon Il.
FederalB Abandon . Town.
Del Rio. Texas. March 21.--LAst
night fifty constitutiona1tgt troops took
peaceable possession OF the town Of
Las Vacas, Mexico. which was evacu-
ated by federals Thursday. Las Vacas
is opposite here.