The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-06-04
Gen. Angles Proclaimed Presl-
dent by the Villa
Faction
.CARRANZA GOVERNMENT
FACES SERIOUS TROUBLES
Gen. Angles Is an Able Soldier
and Is Well Thought Of By
Americans.

Washington. May 2a-yiIla forces
have proclaimed Gen. Felipe Angeles
provisional president Of Mexico ana
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 re-
gardea here as rejecting a situation
more serious IN Mexico than any since
the triumph of CarranZa over Villa
three years ago. Viewed in connec-
ton with the activities of Felistas'
forces IN southern Mexico the situa-
ton is regarded as full OF possibilities.
American government officials are
refusing to comment on the news un-
til they receive official confirmation.
There seems, however. TO be no doubt
~ef its authenticity.
Angeles reported first proclamation
announcing that Americans in Mexico
would Se protected IS particularly in
teresting to officials here, coming as il
does on the heels OF the refusal OF the
state department 70 grant Carrarza' S
request that he be allowed to move
troops through American territory for
the purpose of protecting Americans
in Chihuahua. Acting Secretary Polk
| announced today he had notified The
| Mexican government he could not
grant the request made unless assuc-
ances could be given that Americans
would be afforded protection While the
| troops were il transit. That this could
not be done had been admitted previ-
ous!y by the Mexican authorities.
Governor Hobby OF Texas declined to
authorize the passage Of Mexican
troops through TEXAS without guaran-
tees of protection TO Americans and 50
aotifej the department.
Felipe Angeles is well knowa to
American officials through his services
TO the French government during the
European war as Inspector Of mum
| tions in the United States. He IS held
n high esteem by the French govern
n1ent and was considered by tie
ifUnited States government at the time
! of the Niagara Falls conference the
/ best selection for the Mexican presi-
| dency. At this conference three names
We're agreed Cpon BY the representa-
tives OF the various Mexican factions
and the United States as suitable pres
iGeatial choices and Angeles name
headed that list.
Angeles IS about 4 years Of age,
, and IS a full b:oodsd Mexican Indian
rs we're Porfrio Diaz and Eue-;a tIc
IS a graduate OF Charultepec Military
Acaae,:1.t-. The West Point" OF Mexico.
and cf the st. CIR artillery schoo! n
France He was head Of Chapu;te2ec
under Madero. who chose Angeles yto
go 70 2forelos and conduct the cam
paicn against Zapata.
Angeles quickly saw that the
Zapatistas We're not genuine revolU-
tionists but were fighting for the res
toration OF the lands that had beer
taken from thej:. fathers by Diaz, BY
January. 1913. the fighting in N1orelos
had practically ceased ard Angeles
was ready to make a peace with
Zapata by which the Indians should
be granted their lands. In February
however, the ten. days Of tragedy
began in Mexico City wien the arm.
revolted against Maaero. President
Madevo telegraphed Angeles 10 bring
his artillery 10 the capital. IT was
admitted at the time that OF all the
forces lighting against the ra-ol:in.;
army 4i-.s:eies cid the best vo1;;l
, When the coup da'eta, came anel
Madero was Imprisoned. and Huer.a
declared himself president. MaGcles
refused 10 come in with his army. II.
was arrested and sentenced TO death
by IGerta. He succeeded. however.
in obtaining his release and Euert.
sent HIM to Paris. TO continue his
studies" without pay.
Later Angeles returned 10 Mexico
through the United States with the
assistance of American officials who
were then supporting tho ''cons:i;s;.;-
tionalist revolption' conducted lev
CarranZa and Villa Angeles was iia-
n1ediateiy MADE chief o. artillery un-
der Villa and the success OF tie Car
rama revolution was due ~ greet
part. according 70 officials. to the
work of Angeles
On account CT car~anza S detection
from the Aguas Cale1ientes convea-
ton whose decision nc had bound
himself to follow, .snSelcs was forced
20 remain with the conTeationalist
army. headed by Vil!a. The latter's
defeai BY Obregon and Celaya wa;
G: :Ut. 20 h:S r..+fiS3I TO t:,f-,t to@ advice