The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-10-28
esl sUMTER. 9. O, sAEHi56AY, OCTOBER g. 1919.
cARRAnll READY TO LEAVE.
ENEMIES CHARGE HE is ABOUT
TO FLEE.
First Chief Makes Blunder in Allow.
Ing Family to Quit the Country.

Washington, Oct. 24.-Charges that
Gen. Carranza is preparing to leave
Mexico are being freely made by his
political opponents in Mexico City.
They are based upon his decision to
leave his capital for Queretaro, and
the facts that Mrs. Carranza already
has crossed into the United States, ac-
companied by the wife of her hus-
bands war minister and chief sup
porter, Gen. Obregon.
Information to this effect is reach
ing officials here from various relia-
BILE sources. So far nothing tangible
tending to support the story has come
through official channels. 1t is known,
however, that many officials here be.
lieve Gen. Carranza has committed a
political blunder at least, If ne is not
In fact preparing for flight, by per-
mitting his family to leave Mexico
just at this time.
The trip, they say. was certain to
be construed by his enemies as O con-
fession Of weakness.
The purpose Of the visit of Mrs. Car
rama and Mrs. Obregon. as explained
at the Mexican embassy, is for a tour
Of the United States. Word of the
arrival at the border also of Mrs.
Jacinto Trevino, wife of the military
commander Of Chihuahua State had
not been received tonight. It, was
pointed out. however, that Trevino has
been among Carranza's staunchest
supporters and that If the first chief
believed his hold on the political sit
uation was weakening Trevino very
probably would be warned In order
that he might also place his family in
safety.
The state department had not re-
ceived tonight word that Gen. Car
rama and Gen. Obregon had left
Mexico City for: Queretaro. Previous
adyices. however. said that the first
I|chisf would 60 70 that. place in com
:. M lnx = ,4ho cpaaa
stitpd0nal q sAicis dSls.
gates were elected last wsai> This
is the only. explanation obtainable
here for Carranza's departure from
his capital.
Persistent reports that Carranza
was about to leave have been in cir
culation along the border for some
time. 1t is not known that the
American military authorities have
been able to gather any definite in
formation in this regard outside of
the coming of Mrs. Carranza and
Mrs. Obregon. Many department Of
ficials have privately expr 'ssed their
convictions. however. that the de facto
government, or at least Gen. Car
ranza's personal control of the politi-
cal situation was growing steadily
weaker. They have anticipated that
the time might come soon when he
would be forced to leave Mexico.
The main point urged by Gen. Car
ranza in asking for the withdrawal Of
American troops from Mexico was
that their presence on Mexican soil
was not understood by the Mexican
people and hindered his efforts to
kestablish civil government. The Mex
lean commissioners at Atlantic City
have presented this view to their
American colleagues, but SO far have
not succeeded in convincing the
Americans of the ability of their gov
ernment to protect American border
life and property should the troops
be withdrawn.
While offiial reports on progress
from Atlantic City are closely guard
ed, it has become increasingly ap-
parent here that the continuance of
disturbed conditions throughout
Mexico is operating against the COM
missioners in their efforts to reach
a solution of the border problems.