New-York tribune., 1920-04-12
Custom Houses Taken
Over as Republic Is For
mally Proclaimed; De la
Huerta Supreme Ruler
Sinaloa Congress
IndOrses Secession
Obregon Held Technical
Prisoner in Cap:@al in
Connection With Ceiudo

NOGALES, Sonora, April 11.-Cus-
tom houses and all property Of tn.
Federal government of Mexico were
formally seized in the name of the
Republic of Sonora" here to-day.
Word from S1naloa says the Con-
gress of that state has indorsed the
action of the Sonora Congress in de-
manding its constitutional rights
against an invasion by Federal forces.
Tie seizure OF the custom houses
and other property here followed the
issuance yesterday of a proclamation
in Hermosillo, capital of Sonora, stat
ing the State Congress had designated
Governor de la Huerta as Supreme
ruler of the Republic of Sonora"
The federal property was seized by
General Plank, who recently was dis
charged as commandant of the fed
eral fiscal guards with headquarters
in Magdalena. General Plank arrived
here last night.
Sonora State officials, headed by Gov
ernor de la Huerta, declared to-day
that while the state had seeded it
would return to the Mexican Republic
upon guarantees from the national
administration that there would be no
the federal government.
The secession. according to the Off
eials, was brought about by Carranza
ordering federal troops into the state
They said the next move was up to
Carranza. Unless he acts, political
leaders Of Sonora said. the new re-
public would defy the Mexican federal
government and resist with armed
forces any attempt of Carranza to take
back the state by force.
Secession Movement Spreads
General P. Elias Gales, former Gov
crnor of Sonora, and who recently re-
signed from the Carranza Cabinet, has
been made supreme military COM
mander of the states forces.
Gales has issued proclamation call
ing for volunteers and summoning all
soldiers in the state to rally against
any threatened invasion by Carranza
forces
Spread of the secession movement to
other states unless the Mexican gov
.rnment acts quickly was forecast here
today 1t was believed that Lower
California would soon join Sinaloa and
sonora as both states are largely con-
irolled by General Alvaro Obregon.
General Obregon is technically un-
der arrest in Mexico City in con-
nection with the arrest of General
Roberto Cejudo, Mexican rebel leader,
according to an unverified report re-
ceived here. General Obregon, accord
ing to the report, is not allowed to leave
the city but has not been jailed.
Railroad Is Seized
Governor de la Huerta's seizure of the
Southern Pacific de Mexico Railroad,
according to reports here, has won sup
Port in Sinaloa, where vast quantities
OF agricultural products are awaiting
Shipment. In an interview to-day the
Governor said the state would hold the
road within the state until the railroad
aroitrated or otherwise settled the
strike. The Governor declared neither
the strikers nor the officials has the
right to tie up the road and leave
perishable crops to ruin. Crops now
are moving freely over the road, which
- being operated by strikers paid By
the state, the Governor said.
Officials of the Southern Pacific have
appealed to the Mexican federal gov
eminent for assistance, but Sonora
state officials said any attempt by Car
fanza to force return Of the property
would be met by bloodshed.
Appeal to send delegation of So
nora citizens to Washington in an eff
Tort TO have the United States settle
hs-difficulties will depend upon Car
rahza's answer to Sonora's secession,
1t was said to-day.
Ell PASO. Tex, April u.-Gencral
Uoregon is formally accused of aiding
General Cejudo, according to a report
called to Mexico City last week to tes-
tiy at ('ein1n,a trial