Norwich bulletin., 1916-06-07
THE WAR PRIMER By National Geographic Society

CoahuiIa-The recent raid of Mexi- can bandits in the Big Bend district, as the territory in the vicinity of Glenn Springs, Texas. is called, has re- suited in the despatch of pursuing troops across the border Tt a point opposite the village of Boquillas, a settlement of 35 people, accortIing to the census of 1910, 26o miles Southeast of E1 Paso. Heretofore the American punitive expedition has been confined to Chihuahua, but now Coahuila also is to be searched for marauders.. This state on the Mexican border is de- scribed in the following war geogrG- phy bulletin issued today by the Ma tional Geographic society from its headquarters in Washington:
 If extent of territory were the only consideration the American troopers now in pursuit of the bandits guilty of the Glenn Springs outrage would have an easier task searching Coahuila than those who are hunting for Villa and his men, for, although in size it is the third state in the Mexican re- public. 1t is only three-fourths as large as Chihuahua. Its area Is equal to that of New York, Delaware and
 Maryland combined, but ranks only l 18th in population among tho states of the neighboring nation, with about
 as many people as the city of Wash- ington, D. c.
 "Coahuila has many natural re- sources. It is extremely rich in silver and copper mines, with extensive coal fields in the vicinity of Ciudad Por- I firio DiaZ, on the Texas border. Cat
 tie raising formerly was the states greatest source of wealth, immense herds finding excellent pasturage on 1 the fertile plains, but in recent years irrigation has caused an enormous in- crease in the value of agricultural
 products. Corn, wheat, beans. sugar
 cane and peas are profitably grown, and in the southwestern section,
 known as the Laguna district, more cotton is raised than in any ether part of the republic.
 One of the most valuable crops of Coahuila is the ixtle fibre, which finds
 an eager market both in tue United States and in Germany, where it is used for cordage and in the mannfac- ture of baskets. It is of this fibre that the famous 'tilma' in the shrine of Guadalupe is woven. About this blanket the following interesting leg end is told: At the close of sfle cen. : tury which marked the conquest oi Mexico by the Spaniards the Virgin
 Mary appeared niraeulously before ar Indian on the hill of Guadalupe and
 bade him tell his bishop to build 6
 shrine on that spot. The Indians message was disregarded on two oc. , casions, but when the Vifgf nappear, ed third time before her nnessengel she gave Iii ma smyhol, telling him ts gather some flowers on the hillsid, [ and take them to the bishop. Thes,
 flowers the Indian wrapped in his til ma. When be reached the churchmal the blossoms had disappeared, and il their stead, on the inner folds of tn ixtle fibre blanket there was revealed tthe face of the Virfin in glowing cui 1 ors, just as the imprint of the Saw iour's face remained indelibfe on tn
 kerchief of St. Veronica. The 6Ianke l hangs today under a tabernacle Q silver and gold, in the shrine built b, } the bishop, and the coIor@ have re
 mained comparatively fresh for tnre icentutriea
 asaitiiIo, q. town Of about ss,oUt . founded by the Spaniards In 15Ss. the capital of coahuila. It ia pepp
 lar health resort and Is famous as tlI : birthplace of Leota Vica1fo. the Joa;
 Iof Arc of Mexico's war of tndcpend
 erce. Here also WAS born the repub s Hcas poet Of passion.' Manuel Acuns
 who at the height Of his careed com mitted suicide on account of an En .. happy love affair.
 Torreon, m the center of the cot 3 ton belt iB a thriving n1anukActurlu
 city of 15, ,000, with soap &actorfe.
 rubber works. and packing houses n addition to it's textile mills. The FaS < I ras district, in the same section Of th ' state, is noted for it's grapes. wllic 7 | are said to rival in sweetness and fla { vor the famous products Of tie tsail \ furnias Malaga and GrauRGa y1ne