Omaha daily bee., 1916-12-31
MFX|CAN BANDIT
>:% S. X THREATENS
CARRANzA SWAY
Pressed on Every Side by
Growing Forces of Outlaw
Chiefs, De Facto Leader
Faces Overthrow.
VILLA RECRUITING ARMY
Northern Rebel More Inter
ested in Increasing Band
Than in Taking Cities.
WASHINGTON is ALARMED

Washington, Dec 50.-Increasing
evidence that Carranza's government
is being menaced by bands of in
surgcnts, coupled with the prospect
that the first chief will not accept
the Atlantic City protocol, has
brought the Mexican situation to a
stage that is causing growing con-
cern.
Officials admit that the conditions
are embarrassing. Some high army
officers are urging that Pcrshing's
men be withdrawn as military step
and regardless of conditions, but it is
insisted that so far there has been
no change in the administration pol
icy. The American members of the
joint commission which drew the At
lantic City protocol will meet here
Tuesday TO discuss Carranza's request
for modification and to consider
whether any basis is offered for
further conferences with the Mexi-
can commissioners. Charles A. Dug
las, an attorney for the Carranza gov
crnment, saw Counsellor Polk of the
State department today and is under
stood to have made further plea for
withdrawal of the troops.
Want Men Brought North.
Several army officers of high rank
are no longer attempting to conceal
their impatience over the joint COM
missions failure to secure ratification
of an agreement, and openly are urg-
ing that the altered conditions in
Mexico make it imperative to bring
the 10000 men now in Mexico to po-
sitions on the border, where they
could be handled to better advantage
if it becomes necessary. ....,...g.
Reports TO the State ahd. !. ar tle4
partments today supported unofficial
adyices indicating that Villa is rapidly
gaining strength in northern Mexico
that makes his suppression by the
Carranza army appear doubtful. At
the same time followers of Felix Diaz
are said to be making trouble in the
south, while Manuel Palaez and other
rebel leaders are gaining ground in
the central portions of the republic.
Families Sent to Border.
The official advices indicated that
the Carranza forces in Saltillo two
days ago were anticipating an attack
by Villa forces. The governor of the
state had directed that the govern
ment archives be prepared for re-
moval and many prominent civilians
and officials had sent their families
to the border. Successes of the Villa
forces about Torreon were confirmed
by the advices.
Villas operations i'll the last few
weeks have convinced army men
here that he and other leaders of the
rebel movement are following plan
of campaign having for its immediate
object the recruiting of an army and
the collection of equipment rather
than the occupation of territory. 1t
is pointed out that Villa has entered
towns of importance in northern
Mexico eight times since he resumed
operations on larger scale, only to
surrender them without struggle.
The net result has been to add to his
fighting strength materially through
the conversion of Carranza soldiers
captured and deserving into rebel
troops, and through captures of arms
and ammunition, including about
thirty pieces of artillery.
Villa Again Advancing.
El Paso, Tex, Dec, 30.-Fedcral
agents here t. lay sent a report to
Washington saying that Villa was at
Jimcnez and was advancing on Chi
huahua City with approximately TO-
600 troops. 1t was also said by the
i federal agents that General Francisco
Murgaia was reported to be making
preparations to evacuate the state
capital.
Villa captured train of ammuni-
ton and sixteen cannon recently
when he took Torreon, persons here
said to be in communication with
Villa announced today.
General Talamantes committed sui
eide when he saw the fight was lost,
it was added. Villa evacuated the
town after he had obtained the train
of ammunition, the cannon and sup
ply of shoes, clothing and blankets
for his men, the Villa partisans said.