The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-03
ToRREON FALLS.


CONTINUED from Page one.l
Arizona, to a point just west of Eagle
Pass, Texas. At Piedras Negras,
known also as Ciudad Porfirio Diaz'
across the Rio Grande from Eagle Pass,
there IL federal garrison. but It does
not now constitute menace to the
rebels. The states now subject to the
rebel arms are Chihuahua, Sonora
Except the port of Guaymas), most
. Of Coahuila, Durango and Sinaloa.
Villas 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 TorreOn.
Mazatlan. the federal port in the state
OF Sjnaloa, by the release OF the vet
Gran rebel army at TOrreon. also IL IN
= precarious state. Thus by his sue
eral Francisco Villa has practically as
Sured rebel control Of the vast terri
tory Of the northern states OF Mexico
and gained for himself the reputation
of being the foremost soldier OF the
country.
How villa Began.
It was but little over a year ago
that he started out from q village near
here with two companies, six horses.
seven dollars In money and q meagre
. 0upDlY Oh O6auBp COxlc0 anu 6O60As = LAG
horses at the time were not paid for
and Villas first act. upon capturing
this city three months ago. was to re-
pay the uveryman from whom the
horses were borrowed"
General Pablo Gonzales. for months
has harassed the federal forces at
Monclovia and Monterey and now that
the TUrre0n army is lOoeed, strategists
here assume that the federals will
evacuate these points and attempt q
retreat to Tampico. the seaport OF the
state Of Tamaulipas. This state IL
sprinkled with rebel troops all along
the line Of retreat, which makes 1t EVIL
dent that the federal garrisons already
are threatened with capture by i'm
mensely superior numbers.
A railroad runs from Torreen to the
city Of Durango which is held by the
rebels and the overland journey from
that point to Mazatlan lies through a
country which Is agriculturally rich and
well watered. It would be a pleasant
march for an army fresh from the
desert The railroad is cut at Picardis.
where the big steel bridge over the
river Of that name was wrecked SIX
months ago. Troops could be moved
over it, however. by the use OF shuttle
trains.
Juarez Went Mad.
Interest here today was divided In
speculation as to Villas future move
ments and the effect II any that the
rebel triumph would have in Washing
ton. Never in all its dramatic history,
since the Madero revolution OF 1910. has
Juarez gone 50 mad with enthusiasm.
as 1t did when q foot messenger from
military headquarters ran through the
streets shrieking that Torreon had
fallen. Drunk with elation, men en-
braced each other wherever they met.
Bells in the 300 year old Mission of
Guadalupe were set ringing louder and
faster than sver they have rung for
religious purposes. Khaki-clad rebel
soldiers woke from their sleep in the
towns many barracks to cheer. Then
rifles were turned loose into the air.
For q time, inhabitants OF Ell Paso
supposed Juarez was again suffering
one Of its periodical attacks.
Finely dressed officials, high in the
Carranza administration. threw their
arms around unwashed private soldiers
in the streets and yelled their delight.
The municipal band. hastily routed
from their beds. paraded through the
streets, playing the national hymn, and
nationalist leader tired Of the music.
In the gambling hall, conducted py
Villas agents, for the benefit Of the
rebel treasury, all play ceased while
gamblers. game keepers and spectators
alike shouted their JOY.
Iney SnOuC V1llhS N0A0C.
Through it all, only one name was
mingled freely with the highest Off
cials of the rebel government in a
cabaret resort and were invited to
army. Virtually the only place open
in the Mexican border town where
drinks might be bought, this 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. Ameri-
car ragtime music tingled from an
Anticipated piano in the corner. while
Sums danced the one-step with Mexi-
can partners in the middle Of the big
room.
When the shooting Of rifles and
pistols in celebration began, dozens of
federal sympathizers in Ell Paso awoke
and made rush for the international
bridge, thinking that, by some unex-
pected stroke of fortune. federal
forces were attacking Juarez. But
they turned back crestfallen when in
formed by American soldiers on duty
at the bridge that the fall Of Torreon
was the cause. Rebel soldiers guard
ing the Mexican end Of the structure
saw the proceedings and howled
tAunting insults at the 'Huertaistas, -
who had come to see the federals re-
take 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.
FedeFals Claim the Victory.
Mexico City, April 3.-The federal