Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-07-09
United States Officials in
Northern Mexico Report
Conditions Hopeless.
SEE NO END TO FEUD
Famine Is Threatening and
Far Worse ConditionsaAre
Predicted in Reports.

Washington, 2. C.. July 9-OmciaIs +
Of the United States were discussing
informally today the possibility Of
President Wilson taking further steps
to bring about "a restoration of peace !
in Mexico. This discussion was based F
on reports from United States consuls !
in the northern part OF Mexico plead +
ing that decisive action to bring peace /
and tranquility to the southern re- +
public be taken within month
The cOnsuls refer to the threatening .
famine in Mexico, inability of the +
heads of the warning factions to bring /.
peace and predict that if prompt action +
is not taken by the United States con
ditions far worse than ever will pre-
vail As a solution OF Mexico's inter
nal troubles it is urged that recogni- +
tiou be accorded some element that
may establish a strong government.
With these reports, together with re-
ports of continued food shortage I'm
the southern republic before Presi-
dent Wilson, it was wondered here if
the president might not soon take a
decisive course to bring peace as hint
ed at in his recent statement calling
( on the leaders of the various factions
, to settle their differences.
americans Threatened.
Douglas. Ariz.. July g.-Word of
threats Tnade by Albert Duarte. a lead
er Of Mexican bandits. to kill all for
eiguers that cross the international
. boundary into Mexico after today was
brought here by Ralph A. Meyer. an
American, manager of the Monte
Cristo mine, and r. H. Sims, an El
Paso banker. who were forced TO pay
the bandit $50 gold ransom on June
"a, when the mining camp was ratded /
Duarte, according to Sims, said that
while he was q prisoner at Forts Bliss
and WinEate he had been badly treat
ed by the United States troops and ne
/. Intended TO revenge himself by kill
ing all foreigners who entered Mexico
after July g.
Two of the bandits. captured by Car
rama troops the day after the raid,
were reported to have been executed.
Sims described as terrible the con-
ditious IN several towns in eastern and
.
rumors Of several deaths from starva-
ton at Cumpas.
CarraHza Forces Repalsed.
FL Paso. Texas. July 9-Carranza
forces were severely repulsed by Gen
eral Villa yesterday near Aguas Cal
ientes. according to a telegram re-
ceivad from Colonel Z. Perez RuI
chief Of staff to Villa The Carranza
troops suffered heavily in killed,
wounded and war munitions lost.
The message states that Villa per
mitted the enemy to approach to the
city before resistance was offered.
that vigorous fighting continued until
late in the day. when the attacking
forces were driven back to San Bar
tolo. The CaFrauza cavalry. infantry
and artillery were engaged only hy
Villa cavalry, according to RuIs mes
sage. and plans were made by Villa to
resume the fighting tomorrow, with
vfBa artillery and machine guns par
ticipatfng. No mention was made OF
Villas losses
The Carrauza ageucy's advices re-
1ating to the same battle said.
Villas crippled army is retreating
from Aeuas CaIientes, with view to
making a new stand against the ad-
vance of the constitudonalists at Zaca-
tecas. villa has only about 5000 or
1000 men. ali told, remaining to him.
It is also said that in the fight at Penu-
elias he lost what little artillery re-
maiued to him after the successive de
feats at and near Leon"
Consul Reports villa Defeat,
Washington, July General villa
has been defeated bg Carranza troops
10 miles south Of Aguas Calientes and
/ IS retreatiug north, according to con-
sular advices. dated last night from
Agues CaIentes. The message was
brief and indicated that telegraphic
communication very probably would be
interrupted north Of Aguas Calieutes
within a few days No details were
given.
Carranza Victory Confirmed.
Laredo, Texas. July Confirmation
Of the reported victory of Carranza
troops in Wednesdays battle for pos
session of IcamoIe. northwest Of Mon
terey, was brought here today by
passengers from Monterey, train ser
vice having been restabIished The
Carranza troops took 500 prisoners 70
Monterey after the Icamole battle.
passeng gers said.