El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-03-16
YUCATAN IS 4
NATURAL REBEL
It's Present Effort at Secs
sion Is Nothing New, Ac-
cording to History.

The reported secession Of the rich
southern state Of Yucatan from the
Mexican union and its request TO be
come a proteetorate Of the United
States caused no surprise mere to Mexi-
can officials Of both factions nor OBJ
servers here of the Mexican situation.
Yucatan, geographically isolated and
cut off from railroad connection with
other parts OF the republic. for more
than a half century has sought to Sc
cede from the Mexican central govern
ment
During the French invasion of AIexi-
co, that state desired again to become
a province of Spain, according to Next
can historians Later during the war
between the United States and Mexico,
Nucatan sought American annexation
At still another epoch, the state made
overtures TO the British government
for colonization
The state Of Yucatan IS reported to
be the richest in Mexico IN las exports.
IT was stated that its exports alone in
sisal amounted TO about SzO,OO0,OOO an
nually- This plant is used IN the manu-
facture Of binding Irvine Of quality
used largely in harvesting The MeXl-
can state supplies the large portion
Of the world output SiSal is known
also as "heneQuin hemp
Yucatans principal seaport is Pro-
gresO. where the CarranZa faction en-
forced the embargo which caused the
sending there Of an armed American
vessel
The previous attempts Of the people
Of Nucatan to secede from Mexico were
based on a project to convert the en-
tire southern extremity Of Mexico into
an independent nation The Mexican
territory Of Quintana Roo. TO the south
OF Yucatan. il has been feared. would
Join the state in this movement. form
ing a solid block on the south Of Next
co. adjoining the Central American
countries Of Guatemala and British
Quintana Roo is the largest exporter
Of ''chicle." material used in the manu-
facture Of the American chewing gum
Gen. AIacIovio Herrera while attempt
ing to enter the Sabinas coal fields.
The message also states that Herman
de-, who recently occupied c. p. Diaz,
has recruited townspeople and evac-
uated the town, as he is cut off from
Villa troops in southern Coahuila-
GuadaIajara Need Not Pay.
The 5000. 600 peso contribution from
the merchants Of Guadalajara- re-
quested by villa upon his occupation Of
the city. has been lifted. according TO
advices received by British consul II. c.
Nyles here The contribution included
foreigners and the matter was taken up
with Gen villa by Mr.. Myles. Villa has
consented TO hold the contribution in
allegiance and il is believed that the
matter VIII be allowed TO drop.
ManznniIIO Threatened.
For more than a week NanzanillO
has been under heavy fire from the be-
sieEed Villistas. according to advices
received by Villa officials here. These
state that the besiegers have finally
secured positions close into the city and
that the early fall Of the port is ex-
pected- Manzanillo is held by Gen Nj
gUel Dieguez and the farces that ac-
companied him on the disastrous re-
treat from Guadalajara-
Fight For Coal Fields.
Large supplies Of coal are being en-
tered at Juarez for villa The north
ern leader has apparently given up
hope Of securing complete control OF
the Coahuila coal fields for some time
and the orders now placed viii be suffi-
cient 10 supply Villa roads with coal for
some months. oBth factions claim sue
cesses in the coal fields district. though
from official advices received here, Sa-
oinas is still in control Of Villa