The Colorado statesman., 1919-07-19
Rebels Now Rule
Half of Mexico

today at Its maximum strength. 1t Is
an army poorly organized and poorly
equipped. OF this army a large pro-
leaving the remainder, numbering less
than a full division, according to the
American organization, to guard and
maintain supremacy In the states of
Nuevo Leon, eastern Coahuila, south
ern Durango, Hildago, San Luis Potosi,
Guanajuato, Queretaro, Michoacan,
Jalisco, Teplc, Zacatecas, Guerrero,
Colima, Chiapas, Campeachy, Yucatan,
Tabasco, Quintana Roo, and the east
ern or Atlantic edge of the state of
Vera Cruz, which territory on paper re-
mains under federal control.
The big transcontinental stretch of
rcbel-controlled territory, which aver
ages more than 100 miles in width, and
which forms an unbroken barrier from
ocean to ocean, completely separates
the federal-controlled states of the
south-Chiapas, Campeachy, Yucatan,
Tabasco, part of Vera Cruz and Quin-
tana Roo-from the states or parts of
states over which CarranZa still holds
sway In the north.
Villa Forces Strongest.
OF the organized opposition groups
which are seeking to overthrow Car
rama, the most powerful is that which
is operating in Chihuahua and neigh
boring states under Angeles and villa.
The Villistas, as this force is popu-
larly known, is not the unorganized,
poorly equipped, and undisciplined
force that great many people in this
country think 1t Is. 1t is, on the other
hand probably the best organized and
equipped military organization in Mex
leo. 1t numbers 10000 men command
ed by Angeles, the French trained
rebel leader, with Villa second In com
mand. 1t is well equipped with rifles
end is said to have a fairly well organ
lied artillery arm, and the Villistas
fire the best ammunition, which, as
rule, is American made and is SNUG
gled across the Rio Grande by "gun
runners"
The Angeles-Villa forces are today
practically in control of the entire
state of Chihuahua, a large part of Du-
range, the eastern part of Sonora, and
the western part of Carranza's own
state of Coahuila.
The one part of chihuahua that An
geles and villa do not control is the
border city of Juarez, opposite Ell Paso,
and they would today be in possession
Of that much-needed border port but
for the fact that they brought about
American Intervention in their plans
4, a,-i, ha fntn
city. The Americans did not go to
Juarez to help Carranza, as some peo-
Pile think, but solely for the purpose of
safeguarding the lives of Americans on
the Texas side of the Rio Grande.
The next more important rebel
force in Mexico is that under COM
mand of Manuel Pelaez, who dominates
the oil-producing regions Of the Tam
pico country. Pelaez has under his
command 5000 well organized and fair
Iy well equipped men. The value of
rItory in which Pelaez Is operating is
estimated at more than $500, 900 900.
Pelaez Is said to be pro-ally in senti-
ment, and to this Is due in large part
the failure of the Germans and their
Carranzista sympathizers to gain con-
troll of the oil fields while the Euro
pean war was actively under way.
Allies Like Meixuerlo.
Under Guillermo Meixuerio, in the
state of Oaxaca, is another rebel force
of several thousand well organized
men. Carranza has made desperate
but Intellectual efforts to dislodge Meix-
uerio, who Is easily one of his most
feared opponents, and whose record is
such as to win the sympathetic approv-
al of the allies. MeiXuerio is a full
blooded Zapotec, a lawyer, and man
of fine education.
Next in Importance among the rebel
groups is that commanded by Felix
Diaz. Under Diaz, according to off,
clal information, there are approxi-
mately 5000 men. The Diaz forces,
however, unlike those under Pelaez,
Angeles and Meixuerio, are loosely or
ganized and are said to be in great