The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-07

General Carranza to Raphael zubaran,
minister Of the interior in the consti-
nationalist cabinet, who had a direct
wire set uO to the headquarters of
General Ca1ranHa in Chihuahua yes
terday. General Carranza'S messages
showed thai three Converging cam
paigns were in active operation, each
within 300 miles of Mexico City. Cen
eral Obregon, with 5 5000 men, operat-
ing from the Pacific coast side, had
captured all the intervening territory
was besieging Mazatlan, and was
threatening Mexico City from the west.
Another division, General Carranza
reported, had fought a battle at Pen
zacos, near San Luis Potosi, which is
500 miles north of Mexico City. This
is the s~OutlernmOSt point which the
constitutionaiistS have reached in cen
trail Mexico. and with the army now
attacking Tampico, they declare taht
the general advance On the Mexican
capital is 30 be made within a few
weeks from three sides.
The significance of these constitu
t~ionalist successes lay in the fact that
San Luis PotOsi is far south Of Saltil-
10. and only 800 miles from Tampico
on the west. and Mexico City, on the
south. General Carranza's report OF
the desperate condition of the feder-
ais at Mazatlan was coincident with
reports from Rear Admiral Howard
who stated hat a land and sea en-
gagement was carried on there
throughout Tuesday, the constitution
alists firing rifles and field guns from
Piedra island, while the federal gun
boat Moreles was supported by the
federal shore batteries.
Aside from the notable constitution
alist successes the chief military de-
velopment OF the day was the author
ization TO General Funston to extend
his lines at Vera Cruz as might be re
Quired for defensive purposes, without
however, undertaking any aggressive
operations. A report also came from
General Funston that he could secure
no definite information as to active
movements 0y the federals under Gen,
eral Mas, but he construed what they
were doing as being merely defensive
No further reinforcements have beef
ordered to Vera Cruz, nor has Their
been any sign OF General Wood NOV
ing to the front to assume command
The naval situation was shown il
reports from Rear Admiral Badger a
to the Atlantic coast points, and from
Rear Admiral Howard as to condition
on the Pacific coast side. Admira
Badger stated that sharp fighting hat
occurred between Mexican federal
and Constituencies midway between
Vera Cruz n Tampico, and he addet
that rumors reached him through Ad
miral Mayo that some of Villas force
intended to take and burn the city o
Tamrico. Admiral Mayo put no faitl
in reports Of a truce between federal
and constfutionalist elements abou
Tampico.
Congress again cane into the Mex
lean situation when a caustic debat
occurred in the senate over the reso
! luton OF Mr.. Lippitt Of Rhode Islam
asking President Wilson for informa
tion as to his reported support @
Pancho Villa for next ruler of Mexico
The resolution vas finally tabled by
viva Voce vote, but not until Senate
iLippitt had discussed reports of tn
Administrations SUPPORT of the evil
famous Villa, the landing at Yer
Cruz, and other Incidents. :
Mexico also crept into the debate O
the repeal of the Panama tolls eXemp
ton act when Senator Bradley Of Ken
lucky declared that the repeal was st
purchase immunity for a continuatio
of watchful waiting in Mexico. TIL
South American mediators complete
their plans for beginning the confer
ence at Niagara. Falls. HeadQuartei
will be established at a leading hot
There, which consented to advance Il
date Of its opening in ride to accom-
{ modate the conference. The mediator
with their secretaries, s~tenographei
etc, will make a party Of about fiftec
: They will leave here on May IL to pr
pare for tk, opening conference on Il