Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-08
Reported to Be Working Out a
Plan for a New Do :;
main in Mexico.
CAPITAL LIKELY TO BE- J
HERM0SILLA, IN SONORA
To Subordinate Himself q Military
Leader to Civil Government in
Northern and Western States.

Certain Indications in Washington to-
day pointed to the probability that
Gen. Villa intends to establish a Mex
lean republic OF his own in that part
Of Mexico which is west Of the Sierra
Madre mountains. No statement to
that effect could DO obtained from
villa agents here. but inquiries made
In connection with tho widely-pub.
lished reports that the pan-American
diplomatic conferees intend to recog-
nize Carranza brought forth tho gus.
tation of the Mexican proverb thas
He who holds Sonora holds the re-
public"
reon. Gen. villa has been moving his
troops into Sonora and other northern
and western states Of Mexico. which
have large populations. good ports on
tho Pacific coast and which contain.
in Durango. Sonora and
tho richest mining country OF
Mexico. exploited by foreign capital.
1t IL said that Gen. villa intends to
pay no attention for the present to
Gen. Carranxa or anything that his
forces may do: that he is working out
a plan to establish capital Of what
republic at Hermosilla. in
Sonora; that he intends to create q
widespread civil government In some
Of the northern and western states.
himself as military
that he has already begun this work
of civil development in Juarez. where
he is paving the streets with asphalt.
Incidentally, he Is today reported to
have purchased $4,000 pairs of shoes in
Ell Paso for the troops he 10 moving
fntn fhA country west of the Sierra
Madres.
Territory in Proposed Republic.
The proposed new republic. under the
domination of villa. It was said today.
will consist Of the following territory:
Lower California. population $4,000;
Sonora. population $4,000: sinaloa.
$4,000; territory Of Topic.
population 171.0o0. and the western
part of Jalisco. which has q total pop
Of chihuahua, which has a total popu-
lation of 10000. and the western part
of Durango. which has a total popu-
1ation of $4,000.
The holding of this territory would
ports: Guaymas, Tobolobampo. Maxat-
Ian and San Bias. and II the campaign
of defense against Carranza's forces
which Villa Is expected to be obliged
eventually to wage; should h prove sue e.
will. in the end. also be in possession
Of the port Of Manzanillo. In the state
of Colima.
Southern Pacific Road Useful.
The Southern Pacific railroad Of
Mexico runs through the whole Of this
territory. from Nogalez. Ariz. on tho
United States border, to the state OF
Jalisco, distance Of about 1000 miles.
which. IL Villa carries out the plan he
is expected to attempt. or to be now
trying to carry out, would allow him
to ship troops up and down that part
of Mexico without interference except
at great cost to attackers.
Mexicans now In Washington pointed
out today that the historical expression
public originated In Mexico's war rec
ords by the fact that Sonora 10 pro-
tected on all sides-on the north by
the United States and on the west by
the Sierra Madre mountain range. the
only entrance to which from eastern
or southern Mexico 10 by way OF a mar
row strip in Sinaloa, which villa Is ex-
pected to fortify.
Early Recognition Il Indicated.
Indications today on the eve Of tho
proposed conference OF the pam
American diplomats are that the Car
rama government in Mexico will re-
ceive early recognition from the United
States. The only thing that can stand
in the way of recognition. it is be-
lieved. would be some development to
the situation.
Recognition. IL accorded. would be
based upon statements to the United
States government from Carranza au-
thorities showing his military suprem-
acy in Mexico and promises of protec-
ton to foreigners and their property
and assurances of amnesty to political
prisoners and of religious freedom to
all. These statements and assurances
are believed to have virtually con-
WINGED administration officials that
Carranza had met both the material
and moral capacity" required for the
creation of a stable government.
An announcement as to which of the
factions in Mexico should
be recognized may be made by the pam
American conference which meets to-
morrow. Secretary Lansing and the
diplomats will report their opinions on
the material and moral capacity" OF
the factions claiming recognition.
based upon data submitted by the vari-
Gus elements. Simultaneous action by
the pan-American nations on the Ques-
ton of recognition Is expected.