Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-24
HERRERA LOYAL TO
DE FACTO REGIME
Governor Enriques Says Herrera is
Close After Bandit in Southern
Chihuahua.
GOVERNORS DENIAL SPECIFIC


to the bandit leader. according TO
cablegram from Mexico City. received
by the Mexican consulate here today.
This message says that the Herrera
campaign against the villa force is
being waged in southern chihuahua
Ell PASO, Tex, March 23.-Ignacio
Enriquez, civil governor OF the state
OF Chihuahua, sent telegram to
Consul Garcia at FL Paso today de-
claring that General Luis Herrera,
commanding the garrison at Chihua-
hua City. still was loyal 10 the first
chief and not to credit reports Of his
detection to villa.
Consul Garcia made public message
from Governor Enriquez, which reads;
Your message referring to the press
reports regarding General Luis Herrera
received. have Just shaken hands with
Herrera and he Is loyal TO the legal gov
ernment OF Mexico. DO not give credit
to reports in this matter"
Reports OF General Herrera's revolt
day and from private advices received
here. They were credited. but an abso-
lutte confirmation or denial OF the report
was lacking.
Mech Approximations at El Paso.
Whether or not the report OF Herreras
detection was correct II was obvious that
in military circles much apprehension
was felt over the situation at Chihuahua.
BrigadIer General Bell said he had been
advised everything was quiet In Juarez,
and while his reports indicated there was
villa sentiment I'm Juarez, he regarded
the situation as satisfactory. The gen.
erai said every precaution had been taken
70 meet any possibility OF an uprising In
Juarez
General Bell said that he had no infor-
maticn regarding a vague report that
General Pershing had taken over the
Mexican Northwestern railroad south OF
Cases Grandes and that troops were be-
ing moved south from that point by rail-
road The general did not know where
tho report came from. The military base
at Columbus had not heard of the re-
ported seizure OF the railroad
General Bell added that Major General
Funston had not advised him concerning
any change Of the army base from Co
lumbus to IA Paso, but that the transfer
could be quickly effected.
Railway Baaiy Needed.
An early agreement with the carranza
government for the permission 10 use
Mexican railway lines Is greatly desired
by army officers. The main base would
then be transferred from Columbus 10
this city and the Mexico Northwestern
railway could be used 10 ship men and
supplies to Cases Grandes. The railroad
could be easily maintained against inter-
rupflcn. while the present line south
ward out OF Columbus over a desert
might be readily cut should villa re-
cfuit q formidable body OF men. villa
In said 10 have sent agents among the
populace In the mountain districts urg-
ing them to support him against tho
Americans The outlaw II reported 70
be equipplng his men with arms and
ammunition. which he has had cached
for some time. He has plenty OF good
mounts and once his command is ready
villa will be in a position to start
guerilla campaign against the American
amy.
s1here is no confirmation OF a report
that Colonel cano OF Carranza's army
has Joined forced with villa.
An was quiet IN Juasez early today and
street car service. which was suspended
last night for fear OF trouble in that
Mexican city. was resumed this morning.
the railroad bridges ars stiIl under guard.
May nisarm AGexicans.
so grave was the situation regarded
here that the military authorities planned
today drastic steps 20 r.sIeve all Mexieans
in ri Paso OF any arnis they might have
concealed in their houses and enforce
what would be practically martial law In
'IAttie chihuatna." the heart Of Ei
Pa6o's Mexican section.
All night long vi Psso waited Sleep
iessly for the warning whistles which
would tell that the long expected out
break had occurred. Three hundred sol-
disTs with machine gun detachments
waited under arms for any emergency.
and the police reserves. equipped with
rifles. were also held ready. Again and
again runors ran through the town that
shooting had been heard In JuAreE but
each time they proved baseless.
Il is understood that government Off
cials here have sent TO Washington a
Recommendation coached in the strong
est terms. urging that steps be taken 70
disarm all Mexicans along the border.
taking the right OF forcible entry and
search. A. necessary. Up to the present
time. Il is said that the Washington au-
thorities opposed such step on the
ground that It would be misinterpreted by
the Mexicans as discrimination against
them and In violation Of their rights. IL ID
now inaisted by the local authorities thai
the timo has passed for any delieaey n
handling the situation. II is pointed oui
that no American Il permitted 20 entel
Mexico armed and that there has been 9
far greater laxity on this side OF the Dor
der than was desirable.
Juares situation Delicate.
The situation in Juarez remains mostly
= subject OF conjecture with such item
Of Information a. are obtainAble bearini
a decidedly sinister aspect II IL know
that a bitter feud exists between IN,
mayor. Manuel Prieto. and the mIlitar,
commander, General Gabriel Gayira
Frleto 10 a staunch carranzista. while Ca
vira is devoted to the interests OF Gen
eral Obregon. carranza's minister OF wal
but who at the same time Is known 1
be bitterly hostile to the fret chiefs pro
gram. especially as II relates 70 co-opera
ton with Americans. oavira's troops ar
divided between Obregonistaa and forme