The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-03-23


 So grave was the situation regarded here that the military authorities planned today drastic steps to relieve all ,Mexicans in Fl Paso of any arms they might have concealed in their homes and enforce what will be V1r- tually military law in little Chihua- hua.' the heart of Mexico's section.
 Fl Paso waited all night long for the warning whistles which would tell that the expected outbreak. had occur red. Three hundred soldiers with machine gun detachmeTits were under arms for any emergency and the po- lice reserves, equipped with rifles were also held ready. Again and again rumors ran through the town that sb ooAing had begun in JuareZ, but each time they proved baseless.
 It is understood that government officials h here have sent to WaSh1ng- ton 8 recommendation couched In the strongest terms, urging that steps be taken to disarm and search if neceS- sary Up to the President, it is said that the Washington authorities op- posed such a step on the ground that it. would be nisinterpreted by the Mex jeans as discrimination against them and in violation of their rights. It is now insisted by the local authoT1- ties that the time has passed for any Q6nCaCy III ndnQ1lnS I11O SALOe~(AOAA. AN is pointed out that no American is per rraitted to enter Mexican territory arm ed.
 phe situation in Juarez remains mostly a. subject of conjecture with such information as is obtainable bear ing a decidedly sinister aspect. It is known that a bitter feud exists be- tween the mayor, Manuel Prieto, and the military, governor, General Ga brieI Gaviera Prieto is a. staunch Carranza supporter while Gaviera is devoted to the interests of General Obregon, CaTranza's minister of war, but who at the same time is known to be bitterly h osti1e to the first chiefs program, especially as it relates to CO., operation with Americans. Gaviera's troops are divided between ObregoniS- tas and former Vi1istas.
 Whatever may happen in Juarez, there is suppositfon here that any attack would be made on Fl Paso from the other side of the river but there, is the greatest apprehension that an outbreak on one side would be follow ed by an outbreak on the other. There are about 35, 600 Mexicans in tlais city out of a total population of II 900. The military and civil authorities have made strenuous efforts to forestal1' trouble by arresting every Mexican who was suspected of melting their fellow countrymen against Americans. That such a system apparently organ ized> has been carried on for some time has. been we'll known. Numerous ar rests have been made, especially among the Villista colony, which is quite large.
 The police last night renewed their efforts and detectives were sent in every section of the city who arrested bet--ee 5 and 20 Mexicans suspected of being engaged in anti-Amerie can plotting.
 The most important arrest was that of Melchor Herrera, brother of Generz al Luis Herrera. Herrera. was arrest ed as he crossed the international bridge after a conference with General Gaviera at Juarez. According to the police theyEhave proof that a plot had been, nearly perfected Two hundred men were said to have been enlisted as nucleus, having been won over by gain
 The precautions adopted by the mil itary and civil authorities were not relaxed today They were in part the result of General F'unston's orders | that, esp pecial steps should be taken at | all points along the border to safe i guard American lives and property in view of the disaffection of General | Luis Herrera and other Carrana chief | tains in Northern Chihuahua.
 The belief of Americans who are | familiar with Mexican affairs was that l if the reported activities in Juarez be- l spoke the strength of the chief it | would not be long before there we>s ! >in Sonora. This state is the headquarters of the Obregon adh CT ents and has never, according to in formation here, been more than luke warm to the Carrana cause.
 General Gales, the military gover- | no1l of Sonora, is known to be an out and-ol1t Obregon supporter and his re- cent attacks upon the Cientif1cos and combined with his proposals