The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-01
REBELS PLAN THREE
POINTS OF ATTACK
Combined Operations Against
Mazatlan. TampicO and Sal
tillo Are Mapped Out.
VILLA TO LEAD IN PERSON
VIII Move Against SaltillO and
Then Against Tampico
II Gonzales Fails.

Fl. PAso. Tex. April 3o.--Tmmedate
preparation for combined attacks against
Mazatlan. Tampico and Saltillo 10 the an
swer IN advance by the Mexican rebels to
any invitation that may come to them to
cease hostilties against the Huerta Gov
eminent pending mediation. Carranza
and Villa do not recognize the armist ice
as having any connection with the AFFAIR
between Huerta and the rebels.
Pancho Villas departure south from
Chihuahua last night is for the avowed
purpose of attacking Saltillo and moving
against Tampico. IL Pablo Gonzales Is not
able TO capture the east coast port 80
that villa may export his cotton which
was confiscated from the 6paniards In
the Laguna district OF Coahuila.
Saltillo In the next objective point
and villa intends to unite all factions
In the rebel army by conducting an ag-
gressive campaign against that town. His
friends say that the real reason for dis
sensions In his ranks was the fact that
hts troops had had no lighting since the
taking of San Pedro and that idleness
breeds discomfort In a Mexican army.
While en- route south villa will go to
Parral to meet General Herrera and the
latter's brother, Luis. and have an under
standing with them before the fighting
begins at Saltillo.
villa TO Push Campaigns.
villa has expressed his intention OF
pushing his campaigns against the Fed
erals regardless OF the negotiations which
have been conducted between the Huerta
Government and the United States
through the A y c republics.
While Carranza and villa have ex-
pressed their approval OF the mediation
plans proposed by the Republics OF Ar
gentina, Brazil and Chile their repre-
sentatives here say that under no condi-
tons will the Constitutionalist leaders
consent to cessation OF hostilities agains,
Huerta at this time. and In proof OF this
position call attention TO villas vigorous
military campaign which he has mapped
out
villa has ordered all OF his troops and
will take field in person. indicating that
all danger OF a break between him and
Carranza has been eliminated by the
acuuescence of Carranza in Villas s,ti-
tude toward the United states.
The campaign about TO begin will be
against the second line OF defence of the
Federals The first line OF defence. Tor
reon. San Pedro and Monterey. is con-
coded by military men to have been far
stronger than the present line. which ex-
tends from Zacatecas to Saltillo and TO
Tampco The former line was far more
this is In a measure counterbalanced by
the fact that the Federals will he con-
cen.rated and that villas line OF COM
munication is now becoming long one.
The snltilIo Garrison.
No one In Juarex to-day was prepared
20 estimate the Federal garrison at Sal
tillo. but guesses placed 1t at about TO-
600. The garrison is composed OF an
original detachment of 2,20O men. who
have been at Saltillo and the outlying
territory for months the remnants OF
Velascos men, who retreated from Tor
reon and San Pedro. probably 5000, and
some small detachments OF stragglers, who
have made their way south since the evac-
uation OF Ciudad Porfirio Diaz and NuevC
Laredo Nelasco Is now in Mexico city
and IL is not known who Is commanding
at Saltillo.
The rebels before Saltillo are NJ presen,
under the command Of Francesca Coos
IA. was placed in charge soon after the
capture Of San Pedro and has been con
tentlng himself with establishing his com
munication from San Pedro. which has
been the base for such movements AS have
been made to date.
The railroad line has now been opened
az far az Hipolito and II is expected that
villa will make this his base OF opera
tions.
Gen. Panflo Natero is in command OF
the forces before Zacatecas. The same
tactics as those at Torreon will be en-
ployed. Natero keeping the Zacatecas gar.
rison bottled up 80 that no reenforcement'
can be sent to cut the rebel line of com
munication.
! Refugees from Torreon report that there
/ were 10000 men stationed in that district
The force around Saltillo is conparativel,
small, but with rail communication es
4 ,.hf lar the forces "A