The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-30
VILLA FOLLOWERS
 PROCLAIM ANGELES
 PRESIDENT MEXICO
Present Mexican Situation Considered Most Serious Since Carranza Secured
 Control 3 Years Ago
Rv Associated Press

Washington, May 29.--Villa forces have proclaimed Gen. Felipe Angeles provisional president of Mexico, and villa himself secretary of war.
 The move coming at the climax of military operations considered by the carranza government so serious that it has asked the United States for per mission to move troops through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona is regarded here as reflecting situation more serious in Mexico than any since the triumph of Carranza forces over Villa three years ago. Viewed in connec- ton with the activities of the Felicista forces in southern Mexico, the situa- ton is regarded as full of possibilities.
 American government officials are considering the news until they re- ceive official confirmation. There seems, however, to be no doubt of It's authenticity.
 Angeles first proclamation reported, announcing that Americans in Mexico would be protected, is particularly in teresting to officials here, coming as if does on the heels of the refusal oi the state department to grant Car ranza's request that he be allowed to move troops through American terri tory for the purpose of protecting Americans in Chihuahua Acting Sec retary Polk announced today he had notified the Mexican government he could not grant the request made un- less assurance could be given that Americans would be afforded protec- tion while the troops were in transit. That this could not be done had been admitted previously by the Mexican authorities. Governor Hobby of Texas declined to authorize the passage of Mexican troops through Texas without guarantees of protection to Americans and so notified tte state department.
 WELL KNOWN IN U. s.
 Felipe Angeles is well known to American officials through his ser vices to the French government during the European war as inspector of mu- nitions in the United States. He is held in high esteem by the French government and was considered by the United States government at the time of the Niagara Falls conference the best selection for the Mexican presi- dency At this conference three names were agreed upon by the represents lives of the various Mexican factions and the United States as suitable presi- dential choices. Angeles name headed that list.
 Angeles is about 45 years old and 1s full blooded Mexican Indian, as were Porfirio Diaz and Huerta. He is 2 graduate of Chapultepec military acad- emy, the West Point of Mexico" and of the St. Cyr Artillery school il France. He was head of Chapuitepe' under Madero, who chose Angeles to gC to Morelos and conduct the campaign against Zapata.
 Angeles quickly saw that the Zapat istas were not genuine revolutionists but were fighting for the restoration of the lands that had been taken iron their fathers by Diaz. By January 1913, the fighting in Morelos had prac tically ceased and Angeles was read to make a peace with Zapata by whic the Indians should be granted thei lands. In February however, the '1 days of tragedy began in Mexico City when the army revolted against Ma dero. President Madero telegraphe Angeles to bring his artillery to tn capital It was admitted at the tim that of all the forces fighting agains the revolting army Angeles did tn best work.
 When the coup d'etat came and Ma dero was imprisoned and Huerta de clared himself President, Angeles re fused to come in with his army. H was arrested and sentenced to deat by Huerta. Through the efforts (