The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-04-08
Oregon and Villa Locking
Horns for What May Prove
Decisive Test of Strength
Gutierrez Tells
of Many Outrages
Declares He Is Still Provision
al President and Villa and
Zapata Were Responsible
for Many Murders

hpFh ss--aaNttSH W
both the state Department and
The villa agency asserted tonight
the impending conflict between
villa forces and Carranxfstns, he
tween GuadaIajara and Queretaro,
1. looked to as the most vital fac
tor In the Mexican situation at
present.
The villa agency asserted tonight
that it had been advised that villa
was moving forward to meet the forces
under General Oregon. and that news
of battle might be expected at any
time Reports to the State Depart
ment from Aguascalientes stated that
villa wounded were being brought
there, hence it is concluded that fight
ing is already going on between
Guadalajara and Queretaro. Accord
ing to the latest information from
Aguascaiieutes. Oregon was then at
lacking Queretaro, and DtegueZ was
attacking GuadalaJara.
General villa has given assurances
that IL he ~wins the coming battle.
which is expected to occur near Ira
puato, he will at once open up d.
rect railway communication to Mexico
City from the north. A victory for
the villistas would leave Carranxa
in possession of only Matamoras.
Tampico and Vera Crouz as impor
tant strongholds. A victory for OBJ
RECON. however, would he a severe
blow at the center of the villa
strength at present
Gutierrez Presents Case.
The case of General. Gutierrez. In
stalled in the provisional presidency
by the Filia-Zapata convention. and
who later evacuated the city with
force loyal to him, was presented to
Secretary Of State Bryan today by
Joseph II. Wilson. OF Philadelphia.
counsel in the United States for
Gutierrez and Jose Vasconcelca, of the
Gutierrez cabinet. In a long state
ment OF Gutierrezs position handed to
Mr. Bryan. Gutierrez's accusations
against villa. Zapata and the Mexico
City convention are repeated in prAc
tically the same terms as when TINY
were first made. II is charged that
Villa and Zapata were guilty of
numerous murders e=-4 executions;
that the original Aguascalientes con-
vention was reduced by them. through
intimidation and murders, to 20 per
cent of its original membership. and
that he, Gutierrez was made virtual
ly prisoner in Mexico City through
their tyrannicaf control of tn esitu-
alton. He demands that the original
convention be convened, asserting that
he is ready to surrender that body his
powers as provisional president II
Is said that Gutierrez Is surrounded by
loyal force supporting his govern
ment" at Arroyo. Suevo Leon.
Rival Claims Are Made
Rival claims of military successes
In various parts of Mexico are made
by the villa and Carranza agencies
here. The Villistas claim an import
ant gain in Michoacan. The Car
ranzistas claim that Villa forces have
been defeated at Elbano near Tam
pico. in a series OF battles. and that
they have retired in disorder, 1t is
asserted that this victory has checked
the villa advance on Tampico.
This was done. and the Carranxa
commander then demanded the arms
from the consuls. The American con-
sui, DR.. w p. Davis. sealed the con-
sulate and hid on roof for two
days. Mr.. Holmes refused TO allow the
Carranza soldiers to enter the con-
sulate. He was taken before Dieguez,
who threatened him with execution.
The order was not carried out, how
ever. as the Carranzistas were forced
to evacuate the city day later,
Villas 100000 pesos forced loan at
Guadalajara, though Cancelled has
been far more than made up In taxes.
The authorities secured all the old
tax lists and sent arbitrary notices to
foreigners and Mexicans alike that
their taxes alike were Increased 400
per cent.
villa will attack Dieguez at his
base west of Guadalajara on the line
to Colma before he moves against
Obregon in force, according to arri-
walls from GuadalaJara The plan OF
campaign will be to throw strong
force south of Irapuato to prevent Ob-
regon taking the town while Villa
personally assumes charge of the cam
paign against Dieguez Villa has 3d.
900 men In all in the district, and
Obregon fully $4,000 Obregons forces
are poorly equipped and have but
small amount of artillery. however.
The Carranza report that Obregon's
men are advancing north against Ira
puato may mean that villa Is unable
TO hold the advance back.