Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-29
DEFEAT FOR VILLA,
CARRANzA REPORTS
Flying Squadron Halted at
Pachuca. Forty Miles From
Mexico City.
PEOPLE OF CAPITAL AGAIN
IT VERGE OF STARVATION
Ttate Department Will Ask Both
Factions to Permit Passage
of Provisions.

Gen CarranZa cabed his agency in
Washington today that his troops. after
six hours fighting, had captured Pachuca
and decisvely defeated the Villa flying
column, which was reported to be work
ting south to join the Zapata forces for
the purpose of aiding in retaking Mexico
City.
This dispatch was the first word of the
fighting about Mexico City which has
reached here since Gen. Gonzales marched
the Carranza forces from the capital to
engage the Villa column, almost two
weeks ago July II Gen. Gonzales and
his army evacuated Mexico City. after
having occupied the capital for about a
week. He announced that he was going
out to meet the Villa army. The Villa
agency here announced that its column
under Gen. F'ierro was moving to join
Zapata forces and retake Mexico City.
Since then Mexico City has been cut off
from the outside world. 1t was predicted
here today that the Carranzistas would
now reoccupy the capital
Forty Miles From Capital.
Pachuca, which Carranza claims to
have taken, is an important point
about forty miles northeast of Mexico
their victory eliminates Villa forces
from central Mexico.
The Carranza agency is advised in
another dispatch from Ell Paso that
persons arriving from Torreon bring
the information that Villa has evacu-
ated that city. The dispatch stated
that members of the Madero family are
all now out of Mexico and that sew
eral high military officers of the vii
listas, including generals and colonels.
abandoning their commands. have
crossed the border to the United States.
So serious has become the food short
age in Mexico City that the Washington
government today determined to make
immediate representations to CarranZa
and Zapata, urging that provisions be
permitted to get through to the starv
ing people of the capital Word of
alarming conditions reached the State
Department today under date of July 25.
By Courier to Vera Cruz.
Secretary Lansing said the first direct
advices for many days regarding condi
tions in the capital came by courier to
Vera Cruz and were cabled early today,
showing that the food shortage is des-
perate. Immediately upon receipt of
the message the matter of urging
Mexican authorities to permit food
under consideration.
Representations to Gen. Carranza at
Vera Cruz and Gen. Zapata, whose
forces are said to be scattered along
the railroad and within Mexico City it
self. are expected to be forwarded at
once.
The report from the capital said that
there were some Zapata troops within
the city, but no mention was made of
Gen. Gonzales army. Officials stated
that it would be necessary to get as
mr. hnf foo IN nd 70
get food trains through from Vera
Cruz. Representations also may be
made to Gen. Villa. whose southern
column. last reported in the vicinity of
Pachuca, might also be menacing the
railroad.
Considering Peace Plans.
Ways and means for bringing about
peace in Mexico are being considered in
Washington today. 1t is the hope in
some quarters that 1t will be possible
to bring the various leaders in Mex
leo to some agreement for a settlement
of the questions at issue.
Emissaries of Gen. Carranza are ex-
pected to reach Washington within
few days. 1t is expected they may
have some plan to suggest to the ad-
ministration. The Washington govern
ment also expects valuable informa
regarding ACTUAL COHultlOHS III
Mexico from Consul General Arnold
Shanklin, who will arrive from Mexico
City and Vera Cruz within a few days.
The next step to be taken by the
United States, II is believed, will be
announced soon after President Will
sons return from Cornish.
Border Fight Called Of.
Advices from Gen. Funston that Gen.
Gales had been ordered not to attack
Nogales because of the naturalization
agreement regarding border cities, was
received here as an indication that
Carranza desires not to offend the
United States just at this juncture.
Another indication of general effort
20 compose the Mexican imbroglio was
the action of Secretary Lansing in ask
ing the Arizona authorities to grant
respite to FIVE Mexcans who are under
sentence Of death at Florence. This
request was made in response to an
appeal from Gen. Villa.
The State Department was informed
by Consul Canada at Vera Cruz today
that postal facilities to Mexico City
had been interrupted and that no let
ters got through except by courier or
occasional travellers. He said that no
mail should be sent except to Vera
Cruz.