Arizona republican., 1919-06-05
V|LL|STAS CONTINUE ' SYSTEMATIC RAVAGE
 IF RAILROAD LINES
Tear Up; Burn Ties-Twist, Ruin Rails Telegraph Posts and Wires Chopped Down-Carried Away

FL PASO, Texas, June At became known today that there is no hope of the early restoration of rail and wire communication between Chihuahua City and the border. Considerable bands of Villa followers are at work a short distance north of Chihuahua, systematically destroying the railroad and telegraph lines. Ties are being torn up and used as fuel for huge fires into which are thrust the steel rails and from which they emerge broken and twisted and unfit for further use. The telegraph posts are being chopped dowr and the wires coiled up and car. ried off by the rebels.
 The work of destruction has been carried on from a point close to Chi huehua City to the vicinity of TerraZas station.
 According to Elias de la o, private secretary to Governor Andres Ortiz of Chihuahua, who arrived in Fl Paso to- day, there has been no attack on Chi huahua and none is expected Secre- tary de la o made the trip from Chi huahua by automobile, being thirty six hours on the road. When he left there Monday, troops of General Miguel Die guez, marching overland from Santa Rosalia, Were expected hourly. General Dieguez left Santa Rosalia Friday, and the length of time consumed on the march is believed to indicate that the rebels have destroyed the Mexican Central line south as well as north of Chihuahua City
 Consul General Andres G. Garcia re- turned to Fl Paso today from Laredo where he met Candida Aguilar, foreign minister in the Carranza cabinet, the l latter being enroute from Mexico City l to Washington to confer with the American state department on the Mexican situation.
 Taking No Chances In Juarez the federal garrison re- mained inactive today and there was no change in the situation. The exo- dus of Mexicans to the American side continued, though the number of people crossing was less than for several day. past. American visitors continued tC visit Juarez and despite persistent ru- mors of discomfort among the soldiers perfect order prevailed. The block i houses and other defenses on the out. skirts of Juarez are constantly manned ard there is evidence that the federal: are taking no chances on a surprise attack.
 It is noticeable, however. that tn, usua, scouting parties are not beins sent out. In circles opposed to the ex isting Mexican government, this cir constance is pointed to as evidenc, that the federal officers fear to trus their men, an dthat the 2,500, govern ment troops in Juarez are just as eff fectually penned up as though the, were surrounded by superior force O rebels
 From Juarez south to Chihuahu; City, upward of 255 miles, there is no q single detachment of federal soldiers and the country and the railroad is a
 the mercy of any wandering band o rebels that might desire to pillage an, loot No explanation of this state o affairs is vouchsafed by the federal of
 fleers in Juarez, though they insis
 they will be amply able to cope wit
 the situation when the proper tim comes.
 Upon receiving assurances from Col
 lector of Customs Crawford that n
 effort would be made to bring Mexico
 troops through Fl Paso, Mayor Davi
 today called off mass meeting of cit
 lzens which was to nave been held her
 for the purpose of making protest t Washington.