The Washington times., 1915-06-25
Gonzales RepuIsed by Zapata
in Battle for Possession of
Mexico City.
CHECK WAS BIG SURPRISE
Defeat Points to Stiff Fighting
Before Leaders Are Ready to
Compromise.

\ new turn in the kaleidoscope sit
uation in Mexico was given today by
advices to the State Department giving
merger details concerning the repulse of
Gen. Pablo Gonzales. Carranza COM
mander, in his effort to capture Mexi-
CO City.
General Gonzales force was beaten
by zapatistas, and it is plain there is
stiff fighting ahead before he can en-
ter the capttal Hot artillery fire was
poured on the Carranza troops.
General Gonzales Eepulse Is felt Keen
ly by the Carranza government at vera
. Cruz. since it was the expectation that
Mexico City would be occupied without
a struggle.
Explains Silence.
The silence for the last six days as to
events at Mexico City and the cutting
Of the wire by Gonzales at Otumba Is
now explained. Things We're not going
well for Gonzales and hence the lack
Of news. g..
Not merely for military reasons is
means me that the carranza forces are
still far from control in Mexico. It
points to endless campaigning still
ahead and indicates that the demand Of
President Wilson for an adjustment
among the leaders is remote from COM
pliance.
The Navy Department today is with
out further advices from Admiral How
ard and Is anxious to hear further from
the Yauui valley situation.
American Arrested.
The State Department was advised
also, that Charles O'Connor. Red Cross
agent at Vera Cruz. had been received
by Carranza, who promised to do all
hA o. 60 oil 70 tnf NrL httt
advised O'Connor not to 60 to Mexico
City while the Zapatistas remained in
control.
Consul simpich reported from Nogales
been arrested at Caborea. charged with
taking Carranza currency into Villa
territory. an offense punishable with
death.
It is believed. however. that he will be
The fearful conditions in Mexico due
TO famine and the train Of horrors that
has followed in the path Of the years Of
BY Austin Cunningham. editor Of the
: Red Cross Magazine. in a strong appeal
to the American people for help.
Mr.. Cunninghams description Of con-
sentiment in this country. which. in
recent months. has been growing more
and more pronounced In favor of ending
the sufferings across the border. even
the Gethsemane of the Western
Hemisphere, Is the description given to
Mexico by this Red Cross authority.
In "Abject Prostration."
The entire country is now in a
wretched and most pitiable state-a
state of abject prostraton.' he says.
'Unnumbered thousands Of innocent
women. children. babies, and old men
are striving to eke out an existence In a
Veritable charnel house. Like starving
coyotes in waste places many of these
people. brought to the very lowest
depths imaginable for human beinge to
roots and herbs with which they seek to
stave Oft little longer the slow
gnawing, terrible death-the ultimate
starvation thev doubtless fully expect.
There are communities in rural Mex
leo this very minute where only women
and children are to be found-groups OF
human beings with as much right to
live comfortably as have any other
hollow checked and gaunt of frame, ap-
parently abandoned miserable outcasts
by their kind"
President Will Act.
Although no important new move
with respect to Mexico is expected here
to be taken by the Administration until
after the return of President Wilson
and until the German reply has been
received, the indications continue to be
that the President will not wait for
many weeks on the revolutionary chief
tains to take some definite action look
ing toward an adjustment.
The military situation, as now devel-
oping. looks no more favorable for a
coalition of the factions than before
Villas army is said to have been de-
feated at Aguas Calientes by Obregon
and. on the other hand, Villa troops
seem to have won a victory to the west
of Monterey, at Icamole. General Con.
zales Is said to have delayed taking
Mexico City in order to spare the city
from the horrors of an attack. How.
ever, 1t Is expected he will soon occupy
the city. The Carranza forces appear
far from pacification of the country
The Navy Department is awaiting
further adVices from Admiral Howard
concerning the Yaqui valley conditions
Considerable talk Is current here ir
regard to recognition by this Govern
ment Of the claims of the faction lee
by General Iturbioe, formerly governor
Of the Mexico City district. The Ad.
ministration for some months has beer
urged to give support to this faction
But there is no reason to believe tha
CarranEa or Villa would be content tc
see this done.