The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1914-06-17
VILLA COUP MAY
UPSET PEACE PLANS


geles declined Carranza's offer and
notified villa OF IL.
Despite statements made In consti-
tutionalist quarters early today that
villa and Carranza have not Sever
ed relations" is generally believed
here that they have. Villas coup
d'etat has given him absolute control
OF all branches OF the government In
Juarez and his friends claim control
OF every city as far south al Torreon.
Not only that. but there Is gen
eral belief that the entire constitu.
tionalist army north OF Zacatecas and
San Luis Poosi. with the exception
OF the forces with Carranza at Sal
tillo, will support the Villista revolt.
The plan and scope OF the coup
are still mystery. Leading Villistas
declared today their chief would is
sue statement % the American
press. probably sometime today. This
will take the shape OF a manifesto
making public the causes for the re-
volt from the CarranZa banner and
outlining the attitude villa and his
army expect TO assume. The state
ment has not yet reached the border.
Thus far the revolt has been blood
1
ment OF the regular routine In the
customs house and telegraph office
at Juarez The only difference is that
new men are in charge. Excepting
routine matters regarding the move
ment OF trains. nothing has been al
lowed to leak regarding the occur
rences In the south. Villas American
attorney, In a general statement, how.
ever. declared all books and papers
relating 10 government business in
all cities as far south as Torreon,
were seized simultaneously with the
seizure OF Juarez, last night Villas
soldiers are in charge not only OF the
telegraphs and customs offices, but
also the postofflces and railways
throughout the territory seized.
The first indication or the break
came last night when constitutional
list soldiers in Juarez. Torreon and
Chihuahua who are loyal TO villa,
seized the customs Office and tele-
graph buildings in Villas name. What
Villas plans are is not known, but
II Is known that this action leaves
General Carranza isolated in Saltillo
with no army to support him except
ing. possibly, the troops of General
Panofil Natera Even these may be
loyal TO villa Villista adherents also
predict the rebel armies at Tampico
and San Luis PotUsi Will support
villa
Il Is understood that Villa decided
upon the final break when General
Natera attempted TO carry Zacatecas
alone, without waiting for aid from
Villas army. The foolhardiness or
that attempt was proved when Ma.
tera's troops were driven back, shat
tered by the terrific fire from Krupp
guns uncovered by the federal gar
rison under General Medina Barron.
Villas friends have been in SUI
preme military control in the state
of Chihuahua for several weeks. since
Villa arbitrarily deposed Governor
Manuel Chao, a CarranZista, and nam
ed Colonel Fidel Avila, of his own
genie in Chaos stead Villa suspect.
ed that Chao was plotting against
him.
WASHINGTON. June "a battle
yesterday between tns Mexican rebel
gunboat Tampico and the federal gun
boat Guerrero, near Topolbampo was
reported by Admiral Howard to the
navy department He said the Tam
pico has probably been sunk as re
suit of the engagement.
The Tampico, formerly a federal
vessel, was seized by the constitu-
tionalists about three months ago.
This was the first decisive naval en-
gagement between the two forces and
leaves the constitutionalists practical
| ly without naval power.
That the casualties were heavy was
believed at the navy department to-
| day. While neither vessel carried
large crews. il was believed that the
Guerrero's big four-inch guns and two
! three-pounders must have slaughtered
many men.
The sunken vessel carries only two
four-inch guns with six six-pounders
and one torpedo tube.
The captain and chief engineer OF
| the Tampico committed suicide when
they saw the battle turning against
| them.
The United States vessels New Or.
! leans, Perry and <Preble witnessed
the conflict. The New Orleans stood
| by TO rescue the crew OF the disabled
Tampico, after the officers had killed
| themselves.
| Surgical assistance was given TO
the crew Of the Guerrero by the New
| Orleans.
The Tampico and Guerrero each
carried crews o. between 80 and 800
men, according to figures available
here. Howard reported that the Tam
pico lacked large ammunition stores.
Workmanship OF both crews was
poor, It was reported, and several
wild shots imperiled non-combatants.
! A clash between the vessels has
been expected for about three weeks,
when Che Guerrero was ordered north
where the Tampico was operating.
Howard had orders closely TO watch
the movements of the Guerrero.
A more detailed report regarding
the engagement was expected later
today.