The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-30
u. S. REFUSES AID
IN MEXICAN FEUD
Declines to Permit CarranZa
Troops to Cross American
Territory.
Special Despatch 10 THn suN.


WAsHNoroN, May 2s.-Mexico re.
sumed an important place In the Wash
ington spotlight to-day when the State
Department fatty declined, for the
present at least. to permit Mexican
troops from Aqua Prieta to pass
through New Mexico, Arizona and
Texas into Juarez for the campaign
against Villa in Chihuahua.
The decision Of the State Depart
| ment was reached after President Car
| rama, with whom the request orig
| mated, had been assured by the State
Department that the passage of his
| troops through American territory
would be arranged" AS the "arrang-
ing" involved obtaining permission
from Governors OF the three States in
volved, and as Gov. Hobby of Texas
violently opposed the project. this as
surance was reversed. Refusal was
based by the State Department on the
grounds that the presence Of Carranza
troops was necessary in Aqua Prieta
for the protection of American citizens
against operations OF Yaqui Indians in
| that vicinity.
The request from the. Carranza Gov
State Department for the protection Of
American citizens in the zone of opera
| tons In Chihuahua. Carranza replied that
| IL would be necessary TO transport his
troops through American territory in
order to get them there in time to OFFER
pr election. The protest from Texas was
ba sed on the proposition that an act so
flagrantly hostile to the Villa movement
would be made the excuse for border
dan dafi ne al1
listas.
Carransa on Last Legs.
When the intricate camouiage OF
American Mexican diplomacy Is re-
moved from the incioent the outstand-
ing feature is the first public showing
OF the State Department Of a lack of
sympathy and trust in the Carranza
Government. II IL known privately that
In Its early decision to grant Carranza's
request the State Department went d.
rectly counter to the best judgment of
its own authorities on Mexico. Conf
Dental advices to the State Department
for weeks have indicated that the Car
rama Government is at an end and Is
wholly unable, because of graft and dis
loyalty in its own ranks. TO cope with
the Villa revolution. furthermore, the
State Department within the last few
that the Villa movement in the north
Is part of n general anti-Carranza
military movement which has been gain
ms strength every day and which in
wolves the combination OF Villa and
Angeles in the north. Pelaez in Tamau-
lipas and possibly Felix Diaz and Mon
dragon in Vera Cruz.
AS indicating the weakness Of the
Carranza forces II has been known here
,oa
unable to induce his strongest military
leaders to take the field against the
northern rebels, first because they have
not sufficient troops and. secondly, be-
ca use so large part Of their existing
for es have been drafted into the army
through court sentences that no General
feels safe In depending upon the loyalty
OF the forces under him.
Angeles Looms as Leader,
Unofficial reports reaching Washing
ton tonight indicated that the villa
organization had taken long step in
the direction OF commanding American
confidence. Word received from the
border announced that on May 20 Gen.
Felipe Angeles. Villas principal mill
tary leader. had been proclaimed pro-
v.sional President under the Mexican
Constitution Of 1851 and that henceforth
villa himself Will serve as Angeless Sec
cretary OF War.
Angeles personally always has COM
manded the confidence OF Americans
with whom he has como into contact.
He is a graduate of the Mexican mill
tary school and OF the French artillery
school. anj during the war served as
an officer Of the French army. stationed
In the United States as al inspector of
munitions. He is a military leader o,
tried ability, and has only been identi-
fed with Villa at such times as the
latter was a real force IN Mexican milf
tary politics. Regardless of what Villas
record may have been at other times.
while associated with A rgeles he has
never been accused OF violation Of rights
Of foreigners. according to peoDle who
have been in touch with Villas opera
tons