Evening star., 1915-01-10
not be endangered because OF their dis
tance from the border line.
Fighting Near Salti1lo.

Conflicting reports were given out
last night by the agencies of the Car
rama and Gutierrez factions concern
ing the fighting near Sa1tillo. Enrique
c. Llorente, Washington agent of the
Gutierrez government, said he received
the following telegram from Gen. Villa
at Juarez, summarizing his reports
from the commanders at Saltillo:
After the capture of Saltillo. Gen.
Angeles pursued the enemy, attacking
hula, and engaging in a big battle
there. The Carranzistas were com,
manded by Gems. Antonio Villareal
and Luis Gutierrez, Monclovia Herrera
and Gov. Acuna. Our forces com,
pletely defeated them, capturing all
their artillery and numerous prisoners.
I'VE regret the death of Gen. Ser
vim in this battle.
The Carranza agency issued the fol-
lowing: <,.
urday) from A. C. Villareal, collector
of customs at Laredo, Mexico, states
that a force of VillaiStas was defeated
last (Friday) night between Cardenas
and Colotan, they being driven lhto
Saltillo, where fighting already was
under way and continued today (Sat-
urday) The Villaistas at Saltillo are
beieng led by Emilio and Paul Madero,
brothers of the late ex-president
1t is reported that there has been bee.
further fighting in the vicinity of VIC
toria, the constitutionalists contin-
uing to push the enemy back. Vlilareai
states that recent victories in the
northeast indicates a bright prospect
for the constitutionalist cause.
Gutierrez Pacifcation Plan.
Details of the pacihcation plan for
Mexico were not made public by Gen.
Gutierrez, whose statement to the con-
yention was in substance az follows,
according to Mr.. Silliman's message:
"It may be considered that the prob
lem of paciication Is practically solved.
As it would be inopportune to publish
at this time the decisions recently ar
rived at. I refrain from giving their
details and must limit myself to the
statement that there have been in touch
with the government over which I pre-
side all of the armed groups operat-
ing in the country. Some of these have
demands of these groups have been re-
duced by them to two propositions.
These propositions, which will be given
publicity in due time, will probably
be satisfied"
According to a statement issued by
the State Department this announce
ment is thought to carry with 1t an
intimation of the Strengthening Of the
central conventionalist party without
the domination OF any parslcular pa i loI. leaa.
from Mexico City said the convention
had decided to hold daily sessions at
pm, and that it was still engaged in
discussing the matter of credentials.
Carranza Oil Mandate.
A.. - A.. 1880. ~o,,,,,, an,ron ~
regard to oil lands, the State Depart
ment issued the following:
THE department is in receipt Of a
telegram dated January from Vera
Cruz, stating that January an executive
decree was issued by Carranza ordering
the development of all oil lands in Mexico
as we'll as their operation to cease i'm
mediately, unless such development and
operation are carried on with the con-
sent of the constitutionalist government.
1t is provided in the decree that the work
ON these oil lands shall remain suspend
ed until there can be enacted new laws
governing the matter.
"It is alleged by CarranZa that the
properties have been operated to the
detriment of the nation and to the ex-
elusive benefit of the owners, and that
the government has been defrauded of
benefits which should accrue to it.
Gen. Carranza states that as most
of the properties are operated by for
eigners the privilege they possess Of
appealing to their governments for
purposes of protection gives occasion
for danger of complications of an in
Iternational character which would
prove embarrassing to the government
in any work of revising the oil laws
| 1T is stated that the right to destroy
work undertaken after the decree has
been promulgated is assumed by the
/ constitutionalist government, which
also claims the right to charge the ex-
penses thereof to the managers or own
ers., 1t is also stated that any wells
sunk or brought into operation after
| the issuance of the decree shall be con-
sidered national property.
| practically all Mexican oil lands are
in territory which Carranza still con-
trolls"