The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-07
Rebels Report the Important
(! Defeats of the Federals.
Three Big Armies Are COnverg.
ing on the Capital.
WILL Be THERE IN A MONTH:
Gen. Carranza's Forces Now
s. Number $4,000 Men.
Why He Refused Mediation
s Made Clear at Washington.

n Washington, May 7.-Carranzas at
titude toward mediation. which tenn
porarily, at least, has eliminated the
Eonstitutionalist chief from genel al
Negotiations aimed at settlement of
Mexico's ills was declared to have
been revealed today by his official re-
Dort of a vigorous rebel military cam
Daign marked by significant victories.
His declination to submit his country 6
internal troubles to preliminaries of
mediation was based in part, at least.
on rebel successes in sweeping
nouthward movement, constitutional
list representatives said here today
d. While Carranza parleyed with the
South American ENJOYS over details
of their proposals. three powerful
forces were hurled against federal
strongholds. Reports of the results
Of the movement Carranza transmit
ted to Rafael Zubaran, interior minis
ter Of the cOnstitutiOnalists, now in
Washington. Summarized today they
were:
Defeat of $500 federals at Penaz1
cos, near San LUIS Potosi with the
capture Of 1900 prisoners and guam
titles of arms and ammunition.
Capture of AcapOneta, Topic, LOO
men surrendering. One million
rounds Of ammunition and quantities
Of arms taken. -s.. .s-''s-e g. F..
Capture Of field guns. artillery and
ammunition from fleeing column that
evacuated -1onterey.
The Carranza report did not out
line to what extent his forces were
opposed. In many quarters here that
was interpreted as indicating that the
rebels encountered little resistance
off cid
mentioned.
After receipt of his chiefs report
Minister Zubaran was emphatic in a
forecast that within the next month
the rebel armies would be investing
Huerta's capital. Villas victorious
Torreon, veterans were yet to take part
in the new military movement. 1t was
believed that the rebel military chief
would strike next at SaltillO where
federal troops remained and in the
event of a victory there that he would
hurl his forces at TampicO. Capture of
that city would give the constitutional
lists port of entry unaffected by any
limited embargo on importation OF
arms now enforced along the Rio
Grande. Minister Zubaran today esti-
mated that more than 10000 rebel
troops were now in the field. Villa, he
said, had 1900 soldiers in north CEN
trail Mexico. Gonzales, $1,000 men
threatening Tampico and Obregon, 49,
900 troops operating on the west coast.
The rebel minister's outline of the dis
position of Carranza's forces was aimed
at dissipation of the general idea in the
United States that the rebel army con-
sisted mainly Of Villas forces in Chi
huahua. He asserted that Zapata's
rebels were cooperating with the con-
stitutionalists south of Mexico City.
With Carranza definitely eliminated
from mediation negotiations which for
mally are to be launched at Niagara
Falls, Canada, on May IS. the reports
of rebel victories overshadowed all
other developments in the Mexican
crisis today. The reports came as a
surprise to many observers because it
was believed the rebels next move
would be aimed at Saltillo. News of
a sweeping victory far south Of that
point was taken to indicate the rebels
had silently movd and fought first and
reported afterward.
Three Armies COnverging.
General belief was expressed that
Carranze hoped to continue the cam
paign until the three powerful forces
converged to hammer simultaneously
at the gates of Mexico City. To what
extent Huerta would be able to com
bat the proposed advance and what
possible effect it might have on medi-
alton proceedings between the United
States and the Mexican federals was
widely discussed here today.
An interesting SlOonRnL on events
at Tampico was shown today in the
report of the American consul there
transmitted to the navy department
by Rear Admiral Mayo. ION May
the Mexican government announced
through General Zaragosa that ar
armistice had been agreed to by the
federal government and the United
States and also by the constitutional
ists," the reported stated. THE reason
for the armistice was given out to be
n M
was received Joyfully and even hope
fully by the general public which ap-
pears to be in favor Of peace if Sc
cured with honor and dignity to the
Mexican government. The American!
and their money are sadly missed. and
responsible persons would greatly ia
vor peace arrangement which woult
permit the wheels Of business to rur
again."
From that report was supposed t,
have originated rumors that the fed
erals and rebels had arranged sus
pension of hostilities about Tampico
Navy department advices today stated
that heavy firing heard near Tampic,
Tuesday forenoon now had quoted.
Mediation to Continue.
While the reports Of Carranza's sue
cesses were discussed here today tn
South American ENJOYS went ahea,
with their arrangements for the be
ginning OF the preliminaries of media
ton near the Canadian border, Ma
IS. With q retinue of secretaries, the
will leave Washington May Il
Huerta's three representatives are ex
pected to reach Puerto, Mexico. fror
the federal capital on their way t
the United States today. The Unite
States mission Is not expected to b
announced until later this week.
While Brigadier General Funston
has been authorized to extend hi
lines at Vera Cruz for defensive pur
poses II that became necessary We
the situation there today was report
ed to remain unchanged. No furthe
endorsements have been ordered t
tho Mexican port. and there was n
Indication that General Wood intend
ed to go to the front to take suprem