El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-04-15
SONORA WINS
FIRST BATTLE


0
the Sonora forces, according TO word
received at military headquarters
here This action now gives com
plete control OF the Pacific seaboard
TO the De La Huerta government. as
these were the only two war vessels
OF the Carranza government in Pa
cific waters.
The seized German steamer Vor-
Waerts. which is now being remOdeled
as a light cruiser and army trans
port. viii be ready for service the
middle OF next week, thus giving the
Sonora republic war fleet OF three
vessels.
According TO a statement issued
at military headquarters. Gen Ar
nulfo Gomez, for several years IL
command Of the federal troops in
the state of San Luis Potosi. has re-
volted, with mis- entire army and
openly declared himself for Gen Al
varo Oregon
Unofficial messages received
here today told Of yesterday
encounter OF sonora troops with
Cara sza forces At z Fuerte-
These advices were to the effect
- Carrnnza soldiers were killed
and % or more wounded were
left behind when the federal
troops retreafed.
Martial Law in AEun Prietn-
Martial law was proclaimed in
Aqua Prieta today in preparation for
"a
should the Mexican presidents troops
break through the barrier Of SOL
diers the new republic has stationed
between here and the Chihuahua-So-
nora boundary
Carranza troops We're reported at
Casas Grandes, eco miles from here,
making ready 10 march into Sonora
and toward this border port
Gen. Pima Due Today.
Gen 7 81. Pima, was scheduled TO
arrive today from Nacogari- 10 com
plete arrangements for the defence OF
by the Carranza expedition
Gen Gales telegraphed yesterday
he would arrive here this week 20
confer with LEGAL military officers on
the defence to be waged-
Official confirmation Still vas lack
ing OF the first reported battle be-
tween CarranZa and Sonora soldiers
at the Sinaloa frontier. The report
was received both here and at No
gales
Francisco Elias. one OF the most
wealthy residents Of northern Sonora
said 10 be one OF Gen. Gales closest
friends. said today that the secession
Of sonora costs the central govern
revenue Half OF u went 10 the fed
eral government from customs col
lections and the remainder from state
taxes.
OF all taxes collected within a
Mexican state half goes to the federal
government and half 70 the state
treasury.
senior Elias was asked 10 take
charge OF the customs service for
Sonora by the new government. but
so far has not accepted the post
Army Of $4,000
Military authorities here said the
state would have approximately $4,000
fully equipped and armed troops TO
meet any invasion They said Car
rama has 10000 troops in Chihuahua.
but that lessening that number to
send men TO Sonora would mean the
rapid ascension Of Francisco villa 70
MS former power and control OF the
Recent reports said villa is more
active than he has been any time since
last June. when he attacked Juarez
and United States troops crossed into
Mexico and drove him off
Reports from Mexico City that Gen.
ODregou and Cen Benjamin Hill. his
campaign manaEeri fled from the
capital greatly cheered their adher-
ents here Both are residents OF So
nora Nothing direct from ObreEon
had been received in Sonora for sew
eral days, Il was said
At military headquarters here q
was forecast today that the national
elections in Mexico would not be held
IL July unlessI the Sonora situation
pected Carranza- in the event Sonora
still maintained its independence,
would declare the elections could not
be held because Of war conditions. a
procedure they said often resorted
10 In Mexico.
DieEuez stnrts North.
Mexico City, April 15--Gen- Manuel
Dieguez, commander OF the govern
ment troops in Chihuahua who was
summoned from Guadaiaj lara TO con-
fer with Carrauza on the situation in
sonora where a republic has been
declared. left Tuesday night for the
north. where he viii Immediately
start an energetic campaign against
the revoluuonists-
In his first official war bulletin"
Cen Juan Barragas, chief OF the
presidential staff. says that 2 wire
less message has been received from
Capt Hiram Hernandez. commander
OF the gunboat Guerrero. stating that
the gunboat had left GuaymaS and
arrived in Port Santa Rosalia- Capt
Hernandez was ordered TO sail for
hazatlan, where he viii remain al
The disposition Of Gen Dieguez, says
The bulletin
Oregon FIees Capital.
Obregon and Gen Benjamin Hi. I
his campaign manager, fled from the I.
cAplel Tuesday IN an automobile, pre-
in the direction Of Iguaia, ]
state OF Guerrero.
The movements OF the followers Of |
Obregon are not hampered BY the 4
authorities, and Obregon himself was /
allowed to leave the capital uuhin- !
1ered. despite the fact that IL vas
known 70 the authorities he was pre- !
pairing 10 go.
EScOBAR NOT PRESENT AT