Evening star., 1914-12-22
ConstitutionaIist Chief Quits
Vera Cruz, Going to
Tehuantepec.
TROOPS MEET CRUSHING
DEFEAT AT zAPATA'S HANDS
Former Federal Officer Is Killed in
= Attempt to Capture Piedras
Negras, Coahuila.

Diplomatic dispatches today report
the departure of Gen. CarranZa from
Vera Cruz for the Isthmus of Tehuan
tepec. Factions opposed to Carranza
We're inclined to regard ii as flight
after the defeat of his army at Puebla,
but CarranZa officials pointed out that
some time ago he had announced his
intention of visiting the isthnus.
The Carranza agency here received a
telegram from Gov. Acuna of the state
of San Luis Potosi announcing that
the town of that name was now held
by the Carranza forces. There has
been conflicting rumorS as to who was
in possession. When the place sur
rendered, Gov. Acuna reported. 5000
men Joined the Carranza troops.
He also reported that wireless COM
munication had been established between
Saltillo and Vera Cruz. and that the rail-
way between Saltillo and San Luis
Potosi which had been torn up. was re-
paired He said there was heavy fight
ing near Torreon. but gave nothing as to
results.
State Capitals to Remain Neutral.
The State Department advices concern
ing the situation in San Luis Potosi diff
fer from those made public at the Car
rama agency. The department issued
this statement:
"A dispatch received from San
Luis Potosi states that the governor of
San Luis Potosi has announced that
an agreement has been reached with
the military authorities of Saltillo and
Monterey by which those capitals will
remain neutral and suspend all move
mentS of troops; also all passenger
trains from the City of Mexico to La
redo 1t is reported that this action
y~
not much disposition to carry on hos
tilities in the territory in question,
and that there is not much bitter feel
ing"
Carranzistas Defeated.
Gen. Zapatas report on the battle
OF Puebla was received here today by
Enrique c. Llorente. the Gutierrez
agent.
I'm the attack and capture OF Puebla
more than 10000 of my forces were en-
gagged against a large force of Car
rama troops" it said. 1.-THE remains
Of the enemies forces, taking advan-
tage Of night and the tired condition
Of my men, retreated in the direction
OF Orizaba. A column 10000 strong
followed to pursue them"
The Mexico City Chamber of Com
merce, according to another dispatch,
is cooperating with Villareal, minister
of finance, to unity the note issues.
New bills will be engraved and printed
in the United States.
Heavy lighting is reported near Tor
reon, but dispatches to the Carranza
agency gave no indication of a result.
Secretary Daniels said today there
was no urgency in orders to fit out the
battleship Delaware at Norfolk navy
yard for possible relief of the Rhode
Island, now at Vera Cruz. He said
some vessel. probably the Delaware.
would be sent into the Gulf of Mexico.
il 1t is decided to withdraw the Rhode
Island for repairs.
British Thank U. s.
Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British am
oassador. called at the State Depart
ment to present the thanks of his gov
ernment for the action of American
Consuls Simpich and Hostetter i'll Mexi-
CO in securing the release of H Percy
Meaker, the British subject who was
imprisoned recently in Sonora, by Gen.
Maytorena's troops on the charge of
having aided the enemy.
Meaker's automobile was seized by
Carranza- troops and used in transport
ing soldiers, and he was charged with
aiding an enemy. He is manager of
ranch owned by interests in New York
city.
Met Crushing Defeat.
1T appears from late dispatches"
said State Department statement last
night, that the constitutionalists met
crushing defeat at Apizaco and
Puebla.
1T is reported that on the morning
of the goth nine cars of wounded and
four dead officers arrived at Vera Cruz.
II is said that more were expected
Further details of an Intellectual at
tempt by Gen. Bias Opinal, a former
federal commander. to capture Piedras
Negras, Coahuila. with force of
twenty-five men organized in Texas,
were received yesterday at the de :.
partment.
Gen. Opinal was killed. eleven non
commissioned officers at Piedras Ne
gras garrison. suspected of inciting
troops to revolt. T:ere executed, and
Opnal's chief lieutenant. Chineulo also
a former federal officer. was captured.
Two of his men were killed and their
bodies publicly displayed at the Piedras
Negras city hall.