The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-02-11
REBELS CONCENTRATE FORCES
CEASE OPERATIONS UNTIL THEY
CAN SECURE ARMS AND
AMMUNITION.
Fcderals Reopen Lines as COnstitu-
tiOnalists Withdraw-TOIreOn the
Point of Most Interest-Hucrta
Forces in Field.

Mexico City, Feb. S.-Pre sident
Huerta in the past week has succeed
ed, without much fighting, in reopen
ing lines OF communication in Tam
pico and Laredo and between Sal
tillo and Torreon. This apparent ad-
vantage is explained to some extent
by the fact that the rebels have re-
ceived instructions to cease operating
in small bands in those districts and
join the concentration movements
near Torreon and about Tampico.
Indications are that there will be a
lull in military operations until the
rebels have supplied themselves with
additional arms and ammunition and
that when Gems. Carranza and Villa
and other rebel leaders have com
pleted their precautions for an ad-
vance several important engagements
will be fought.
In the isthmus Of Tehauntepec and
in regions adjoining the capital nu-
merous rebel organizations are oper-
atinG. Perhaps the most dangerous
rebel operation comparatively close
to the capital is that directed by Gen.
Juan Francisco Lucas, popularly
called "The Patriarch Of the Sierra
Indians"
These Indians control a large area
for the most part in the State of Pueb-
la. They are well equipped and have
received among them force Of about
200 northern rebels, who serve to con-
meet their movement with that of Gen.
Carranza.
President Huerta has 5000 men at
Torreon and 1000 at Monterey. At
Tampico the federal garrison is ap~
proximately 1000, and always there
remain the gunboats at Vera Cruz to
reinforce.
President Huerta will continue to
send troops to Torreon until the total
force there is at least 10000.
Military men profess to doubt
whether the rebels can take Torreon,
even after they obtain ammunition.
President Huerta's calm attitude af-
ter the lifting Of the embargo on
arms seems to have gained him some
sympathy, and in local financial CEN
tres it is believed he has slightly more
favorable prospects Of obtaining
money. Even without foreign assist
ance he will be able to extract from
local sources many millions.
Owners Of haciedas adjoining the
State of Mexico have been notified
that they will be expected to loan
the government money on their land
and it would cause no surprise If spe-
cial taxes were imposed on all prop
erty in the capital and other cities
which Huerta still controls.
The opinion is held here that rebels
in the north will direct their energies
along two lines OF campaign-one
looking to the capture OF Torreon,
Zacatecas, Aguas Calientes and other
towns in their path to the capital, and
the other to the capture Of Tampico.
With Monterey and San Luis Po-
tosi as secondary detectives, the mora!
effect of the capture Of Torreon would
be great, but military men point OUT
that the stragetic value of Tampico
would be still greater. as it is the
source of the fuel supply.
Those who have watched develop
ments believe the task of isolating the
capital from food supply districts
probably will be entrusted to small
bands now operating N all Of those
districts Rebel sympathizers here
say that within two months fedcrals
will be cutting the railroads to keep
the rebel forces out o. the capital
VERA CRUZ FORFEITS FUEL OIL.