The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-12-28

grave danger OF being smashed and
driven entirely out of control.
In an unsolicited statement the
state department announced today
that unrest in northern Mexico is
growing and that as a result admin
istration attention once more is TO-
cused toward the border. In its
statement the department declared 1t
had information that large groups of
bandits are ON the rampage and that
the situation is such as to give the
department fresh concern"
Ihe situation, as understood at the
state department, may be summarized
in the following manner:
l. Villa is virtually dictator of that
section of the state of Chihuahua
south of Gen. John J. Pershing's
column. He also is in control of Du-
range. large part of CohuiIa and ad-
joining states.
2. The Carranza generals who
were supposed to be in control in these
sections have fled with what loot they
managed to get during the last few
months. These troops have willingly
Joined Villa. The change of allegiance
was caused by empty stomachs, Villa
through recent raids has gotten food
stuffs with which to feed the men,
while the Carranza generals for the
most part, have confiscated everything
puSSlui0 dlu SSlL 1t dCrOSS the QOTQGr
for fancy prices in Texas.
3. From a handful of ragged follow
ers Villa has raised a force approx
mating 10000 men, all of Carranza's $
garrisons in the northern section do
not approximate this number. Villa
Is now In position to move southwest
and destroy all lines northward, there
by establishing himself securely.
T.. Felix Diaz, acting. as a figure
head for Robles, has assembled a for
midable force in Puebla and Oaxaca,
where they are reported to be pre-
pared to move northward at q signal
from Villa. = 7
S. Zapata, in the state of Morelos,
has complete control Of the country in
the vicinity of Mexico City, and is re-
ported to be prepared to join with
Villa and Robles at the psychological
moment. ="
s, Palaez, whose fame hitherto has
been limited to the west coast, where
he is maintaining insurgency against
CarranZa, is reported to be prepared to
strike with the other wings.
Z. In the event that those forces
get together the administration fore
sees the termination of Carranza's
tempestuous career and the unpleas-
ant prospect of this government being
compelled to see Pancho Villa in the
saddle again.
s. Those representatives of this
government who are most familiar
with the recent conferences with Car
rama representatives are totally dis
gusted with Carranza and the men
whom he sent to represent his cause
They feel that it is virtually useless
to continue discussions of the situation
because neither Cabrera nor his repre-
sentatives can speak for more than a
handful of grating generals and pro-
feSsional patriots whose principal con-
Germ is to fill their own Golfers at the
expense Of the poems.
8. The most remarkable fact con-
corning the conferences is the belief
entertained here that Carranza. now
does not want General Pershing's
force withdrawn, despite his bellicose
demands to this effect. The commits
sioners, or some Of them at least. are
satisfied that Carranza fears if Perish
ing returns to the border with his
command, Villa will overrun the coun-
try and fatten his men and cattle on
the excellent Mormon ranches in the
vicinity of Casas Grandes.
In the absence of any reply from
General CarranZa to the insistence of
the American commissioners that he
ratify or reje<c s%e protocol signed at
Atlantic City, Sec. Franklin K. Lane,
chairman of the American commits
sioners, took the first step today
toward closing the negotiations. He
sent to DR.. J. r. Mott and Judge
George Gray, the other members to
meet him here some time this week.
At that meeting there will be agreed
upon the details for bringing to an
end the conferences of the Mexican
American joint commission. The only
communication from the Mexicans re-
aoTx HrI -
retary of the Mexican commission sent
last night in which 1t was said that
no reply from General Carranza had
been received.
Tampieo Believed Villas Aim.
Ell Paso. Texas, Dec. 27-That VIII
las objective is Tampico, and that the
bandit leader is swiftly setting the
stage for an attack upon that Mexican
seaport, was indicated in reports OBJ
tanned today by United States depart
ment agents here.
Although no official confirmation
has been received. authorities here
are inclined to accept the report that
Villa forces are now in possession of
San Luis Potosi. cutting off communi-
cation between Tampico and the west.
Military men here believe that a sep
arate force OF bandits must have gone
south IL the city Is now In Villas
hands.
Officers close to the bandit chieftain
told foreigners in Chihuahua City that
Villa planned to take Tampico and
force International complications and
action against the Carranzista govern
ment by the United States.
Would Peril England's Oil Supply,
Fuel for the English fleet is drawn
from the oilaeids OF that region, and
Villa believes that England would inn
mediately force the United States gov
ernment to act II the oil supply was
cut or.
Official confirmation Of the evacua-
tion of Torreon was made here today
by Carranza Consul Bravo. Torreon
was evacuated by General Talamante
and his command of $500 de facto
troops. Bravo denied the rumors which
have been in circulation here for the
past two days, that General Francisco
Marguia, commander at Chihuahua
City. had an understanding with Villa
and had made no effort to oppose VII
las recent capture of Chihuahua City.
Consul Bravo said that IL General AL
varo Obregon took the field in COM
mand of the CarranZa forces against
Villa, the Villa revolution would be
short lived.
ITO use an expression which have
learned from you Americans: General
Obregon has got Villas goat said
the, Carranza consul.
villa knows General Obregon's
power and fears him more than any