Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-04-03


Thus by his successful campaign of
the last month Gen. Francisco Villa has
practically assured rebel control of the
vast territory of the northern states of
Mexico, and gained for himself the
reputation of being the foremost soldier
of the country.
Villa in Field a Year.
1t was but little more than a year
ago that he started out from village
near here with two companions, six
horses. 81 in money and a meager sup
ply of beans. coffee and sugar. The
horses at the time were not paid for,
and Villas first act upon capturing this
city three months ago vas to repay the
hveryman from whom the horses were
borrowed" Gen. Pablo Gomez for
months has harrassed the federal forces
at Monclovia and Monterey. and now
that the Torreon army is ioosed. strate-
Sfsts here assume that the federais VIII
evacuate these points and attempt 10
retreat to Tampico, the seaport OF the
state of Tamaulipas. This state is
sprinkled with rebel troops all along the
line of retreat, which makes 1t EVIDENT
that the federal garrisons already are
threatened with capture by Immensely
superior numbers.
A railroad runs from Torreon to the
city of Durango, which is held by the
rebels, and the overland journey from
country which is agriculturally rich and
well watered. 1t would be a pleasant
march for an army fresh from the nor
rors of hunger and thirst in the desert
The railroad, however, is cut at Pick
ards, where the big steel bridge over
the river of that name was wrecked SIX
months ago
Troops would be moved over it, how
ever. by the use of shuttle trains.
Interest here today was divided in specu-
lation as to Villas future movements and
the effect-if any-the triumph would
have in Washington.
Never In all its dramatic history since
the Madero revolution of 1910 has Juarez
gone so nearly mad with enthusiasm as
II did when a messenger from military
headquarters ran through the streets last
night shrieking that Torreon had fallen.
Drunk with elation. men embraced each
other wherever they met. Bells in the
+OO-year-old mission of Gualeupe were
set ringing louder and faster than ever
they have rung for religious purposes.
khaki-clad rebel soldiers woke from their
sleep in the towns many barracks to
cheer Then, stirred by common I'M
pulse, their rifles were turned loose into
the air. For a time Inhabitants of FL
Paso supposed Juarez was again suffer
ing one of its periodical attacks
All Juarez Celebrates.
Finely dressed officials, high in the
Carranza administration, threw their
arms around soldiers in the streets and
showed their delight. The municipal
band. hastily routed from their beds, pa
raded through the streets playing the ma
tonal hymn, and serenaded Carranza un-
til the constitutionalist chief tired of the
music In the gambling hall conducted
by Villas agents for the benefit of the
rebel treasury all play ceased, while gam
blers and gamekeeperS and spectators
shouted their
only one name was heard above all 9TH
ers- 1t was Villa-"Viva Villa
Common soldiers mingled freely with
the highest officials of the rebel govern
ment in cabaret resort and were in
vited to drink to the glory of the insur-
gent arms.
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 en-
orace friends and toast the conauering
general In the midst OF all the re-
Joicing American ragtime music tinkled
ron rom an infatuated piano in the corner
while American women from FL Paso
danced the one-step with Mexican part
ners 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
a rush for the international bridges,
thinking that by some unexpected stroke
OF fortune federal forces were attacking
Juarez. But they turned back crestfallen
when Informed by American soldiers on
duty at the bridges that the fall of Tor
reon was the cause Rebel soldiers guard
ing the Mexican end Of the structures
saw the proceeding and howled haunting
insults at the ''Huertaistas," who had
come to see the federals retake Juarez"
BY o'clock in the morning the ex-
element had died away and the streets
were deserted. Plans are under way for
a ioImai celebration this afternoon, over
which Gen. Carranza will preside.