The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-17
OFFICIALS DOUBT
REPORT OF CATTLE
FEEL VILLA WILL NOT RISK HOLD
IMGs IL CHANCE FOR
TORREoN.
FEDERALS STRONGER
BRYAN ASKED TO PROBE KILLING
SUGGESTED FOR ENDING
TROUBLE.

WASHINGTON. March 1s.-Cir-
cumstantial accounts OF preliminary
nghting in the vicinity of Torreon
have neither received any official con-
: firrnstson in dispatches 10 Washington,
nor convinced officials here that a de-
cislve engagement is TO be looked for
In that quarter immediately
Dispatches TO the state departme nt
from representatives In northern
Mexico and on the border, contain
nothing In support of the published re-
ports that engagements are. already
taking place between federals and
rebels near Torreon. nor do they in
dictate there is any immediate prospect
of AN important contest for the city.
now held by the federais.
The skepticism OF army officers and
other officials regarding Villas tnten-
ton in regard to Torreon. continues
unabated by reports from Chihuahua.
thai the rebel leader Is about to move
agains. the southern city Non until
a battle has actually begun will Of
ficaais here be inclined To believe that
Villa has decided to risk his present
comfortable position and holding In
Chihuahua on abattle at Torreon. IN
the three months since he took
Ojinaga villa has done nothing, while
the federa.s have greatly strengthened
their position at Torreon, To get to
Torreon 1t is pointed out villa must
cross a large desert.
Furthermore, military men here point
out. villa could not hold Torreon IL
he took II. as was determined last sum
mer. when he lost {; 10 the federais-
Another Naval FiKht.
Admiral Howard reported from Quay
mas today that another engagement be-
tween federal and rebel gunboats at
Topolobompo has occurred without de-
cisive results. Admiral Fletcher re-
ported that quiet stu prevails at Tam
pico. though the federals have strength
enea their position with reinforcements
OF troops. and with three gurboats in
the river.
Appeals received at the state depart
ment today from relatives OF Fred
ertek Johnston, postmaster at Tecate.
CALIFORNIA who was killed by Mex
leans. resulted la Secretary Bryan ask
Ing the aid of the war department in
Investigating the occurrence. Major
General Murray. at San Francisco, was
Instructed To have AT officer sent from
Fort Rosecrans San Diego, TO make an
Investigation. The crime was committed
4
order to demand the reouisition of the
guilty parties IL. as alleged. il As found
they were residents of Mexico.
New Solution offered
new plan for solving the Mexican
problem was made known here today
with the receipt of letters from Eme-
ferio de In Cara, a prominent Mexi-
can, now in New York. Senior de la
Cara proposes that peace congress.
composed of prominent men repre-
senting all factions in Mexico be as
serrhled to work out some compromise
Dian by which the present disturbances
In Mexico may be brought to an end.
HE hBftis THAT President Wilson
opened .the way for the considera-
ton CT sIch proposed by stating in
one Of, his notes to the Huerta gov
eminent that * that government had
any plan for the adjustment Of the
Mexican situation the United States
would be willing to listen to 1t. Con-
stitusionaliet agents declare the pro-
tect is wholly impracticablc, and not
acceptable to them