Omaha daily bee., 1916-06-19
MEXICANS PREPARE
TO RESIST INVADERS
Population Of Sonora State Aiming
and Men Drill in Juarez
Streets.
SECRET SOCIETIES ARE FORMED

Douglas, Ariz., June lS.-The civil
an population of Sonora is arming it
self, according to officials statements
of Ives G.. Lelevier, Mexican consu
here, preparatory to repeiiing any at
tempted aggression by the United
States. ..
Local feeling is high, but well undei
control of the officials. Added pre-
cautions have been taken by the mill
tary authorities to prevent any out,
breaks on this side of the line in the
, event of hostilities.
General Gales entire force in Son,
ora is estimated at from 10000 to
10000 men, mostly infantry. The larg.
er part Of the army is in central and
southern Sonora engaged in the va.
qui Indian campaign.
Promises of Safe Escort.
Consul Lelevier reiterated today
that General, Gales has given his
personal guarantee of safe escort to
the border to all foreigners desiring to
leave the country. 80.
Eighteen hundred de facto Mexican
cavalrymen who have been camped for
two months at Cuchuta, thirty-five
miles south of here on the Nacozari
railroad, started eastward today to-
ward Carretas Pass, through which
they could gain access to Chihuahua,
according to Americans arriving from
the SOUTH, Colonel Gabriel Jimenez is
reported in command.
1t is said officially in Aqua Prieta
that these troops are going to Naco-
zari, but men who say they met them
on the road say they were travelling
away from Nacozari, riding southeast
instead of south.
The first. Arizona volunteers were
inspected and addressed today by
Governor George w. P. Hunt of Ari-
iona and Adjutant General Charles
w. Harris at their camp here.
Unconfirmed rumors of demonstra-
tions to be held in several of the larg-
er towns of Sonora, against American
occupation increased local uneasiness
tonight.
Mexicans Drilling.
FL Paso, Tex, June 18.-About
three score Mexicans reported in
Juarez plaza this evening in response
to a call to citizens to receive military
instructions that they might be pre-
pared to repel invasion in the event
there should be break with the
United States. The Mexicans organ
lied a civil guard, went through a few
perfunctory military movements and
went to their homes without further
demonstration.
Numerous rumors were current in
FL Paso today that secret organiza-
ton are being formed in Juarez whose
members are pledged to take up arms
in the event of American Intervention,
but these were not confirmed by Mex
lean officials. :
Excitement Abated.
Excitement manifest in Ell Paso last
night and early today apparently had
abated early tonight with the realiza-
ton that every preparation has been
made to protect the city in even the
remote regions.
No anti-Ameriean demonstrations
will be allowed in1Juarez by General
Francisco Gonzales, acting comman-
der of northern Chihuahua. This state
ment was. made by him today to
small delegation of Mexicans who
called to see him in regard to holding
meeting Of protest against the pres
enoe of American troops. General
Gonzales later said that Juarez would
remain quiet so long as he was in con-
troll. Speech making agitators or
others actuated by aggressive pur-
poses would be promptly arrested he
added. T.. ~. .-,..s<la. j..
Arms Distributed.
Laredo, Tex, June l8.-Arms and
ammunition were distributed to citi-
zens in Nuevo Laredo, opposite here
tonight by constitutionalist leaders
for use, it was said in the event of
break in relations between the United
States and Mexico, in order to have
the citizens prepared for service in the
army.
Information was given to military
authorities here tonight that large
number of Mexican troops have been
concentrated north of Laredo for an
attack on American territory. The
proper precautions were taken by
General Mann. -.
Three. companies of United States
coast artillery arrived here today and
took their stations with the Ninth in
fantry in the Laredo district boarder
notro1 ..