The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-21
Announces His Intention Of
Retiring From the Border
To Avoid Firing Across the
American Boundary Line.
HIS MEN REFUSED TO SHOOT
Fearing to Get Into Trouble
with Uncle Sam.
Bliss Now Has . Force Of
400 Soldiers.

Washington. Dec. z1.-American Con-
sui Silliman, at Mexico City. today
transmitted a message. sent by May.
torena. the Villa commander at Nacos
to Provisional President Gutierres. stat
ing his intention Of moving his forces
away from the American border. SAT-
urday. he said. his forces refused to re-
turn the fire. to avoid shooting into
American territory. Word was received
today from the Brazilian minister At
Mexico City that Gutierrex's cabinet
was considering declaring a general
amnesty.
Disorders are feared in Manxanillo.
where the Gutierrez forces in posses
sion Of the city are threatened by an
attack from Carranza troops asoem-
bling in the vicinity. Secretary Bryan
said today he was without advices OF
reported disorders in Mexico City or
Vera Cruz.
Rain Quenches Mexican Fire.
Naco, Dec. 21.-Brigadier General
Hugh L. Scott resumed today his i'm
vestigation of the border trouble. He
is seeking information from those in
touch with Mexican affairs which may
aid in composing the situation here
where for ten weeks Governor jose
has besieged the Carranxa forces OF
General Benjamin Hill. entrenched in
Naco. Sonora The United States army
forces here under command OF Briga-
der General Tasker H. Bliss. now total
forty-seven hundred men. Rain fell
tical cessation of the Mexican fire.
Call Him "Old Whiskers.'
FL Paso, Dec. 21.-That Vera Cruz.
out of Carranza's control, was in the
hands OF mobs of his soldiers who
were executing and arresting citizens
right and left, was the unconfirmed
report which reached here today by
way OF Mexico City.
Mexicans who aided General Fun
st0n during the 6ccupati0n Of Vera
Cruz by the American forces were said
to have been the first victims of the
outbreak. That Carranza was derided
by his own soldiers and called "Old
Whiskers'' was also stated in the re-
port from pro-Villa sources.
Firing Squad Is Busy.
San Antonio, Dec. 21.-The firing
squad is busy in Mexico City today, acc
to Carranzistas here. villa is said to
have executed Colonel David Ber-
LANCER. secretary of the peace conven-
ton, and Pauline Martinez, chairman
of the Zapatista delegation in the con-
ventiOn.
General Gulliermo also was exc
cuted and Zapata and Villa are said
to have agreed upon certain reprisals
against Cientificos and Huertistas.
They are to face the firing squad in
front of the Zucola palace. Their
property is to be confiscated and sold
at auction.
That Provisional President Cutter
rez is dissatisfied with his role and II
under strict surveillance by the VIII
listas was also stated in the dispatches.
Jose VascOntelas, minister OF Justice
in the Gutierrez cabinet. is reported
to have been arrested and his resigna-
ton forced. Fernando Iglesias Cal
deron, an important delegate to the
convention. is also stated to have been
arrested.
Since Villa and Zapata left the
capital to campaign against the Car
ranzistas, Manuel Pa1afox, governor
of the federal district, has been boaD
of Mexico City. He is said to be car
rying out Villas orders to the firing
squad.