New-York tribune., 1920-08-02
10000 Huerta
Troops Ready
To Curb Cantl,
Surrender of Villa Leaves
Government Free to Deal
With Recalcitrant Head
of Lower California
Treason Seen i'm Actions
Officials, Failing in All
Efforts TO Adjust Issue.
Now Await Open Break
By George E. Hyde
specios cable to Thc Tribune

Spec'o@ tnbie 10 The Tribune
Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune Inc.
MEXICO CITY. Aug. 1.-Provisions,
President dc la Huerta to-day an
nounced he has $4,000 troops mobiliza-
Bile instantly to force Governor Estehan
Cantu of the northern district of Low.
er California to comply with the order
of the Federal government that he re-
port to Mexico City in person.
De la Huerta announced he was in
formed that Cantu was arminr Chi
nese. He said he considered that trea-
sonable. but was unwilling as vet to
assume responsibility for provoking a
new war and would give Cantu a chance
to obey orders.
"lf necessary. we are prepared to fiji
Lower California so full of troops that
1t VIII be impossible to turn around"
said high official of the Department
OF War to-day, in discussing the steps
being taken by the Federal government.
Break Believed Inevitable
The government will be able to land
troops at any point on either coast nm
der the guns of small naval craft. and
he campaign can then be limited to n
sew small areas to which access bv
water is available. The Topography of
-he country is such that it will be i'm
possible 70 carry out guerrilla warfare
such as Villa conducted in chihuahua
the country being uninhabited and NOT
able 10 support troops.
General Alvaro Obreron. leadinc can.
lidate for President Of Mexico was nm
Wiling to express an opinion TO-DAY as
70 whether affairs will develop into a
isht between Governor Cantu and the
FEDERAL forces. However. a break be-
-"een Cantu and Provisional President
ae la Haerta appears inevitable. At
Epss 10 compose matters diplomati
'iy hsvo failed and the Mexico City
9verAment IS now taking steps to ex-
:: compliance with its orders.
--;iorts are being made to have the
2*er California case appear similar
that III Sonora, which started the
loregon revolt and the overthrow of
sarranza' but officials point out that
sonora was a sovereign state with a
Governor elected by the people. Wills
over California is simply a Federal
e!rltory, with a Governor appointed
Ay the executive of the nation.
Cantu Virtually a King
Csntu virtually has been king of the
"erthern district of Lower California
CT the last ten years. owing onlv
laminal allegiance, and this oniy When Inn
!. did not interfere with his wishes
Lower California might have been
e9Asldered IN open revolt for several
ars past. so far as the central gov
E.ment is concerned" said a high
neral OF the Department OF War to-day.
This situation is intolerable and shows
ne weakness of the past governments
n falling to alter it.
1t is to the interest both of Mexico
md the United States to end the dis
graceful conditions there"
While military measures are being
Nept secret, it is known that the gov
eminent took steps some time ago to
zeal with possible DEVELOPMENTS and
IS now ready for any eventuality. The
Danger of international complications
5 admitted, but has been fully dis
USED by the officers Of the Department
. War. who hope to avoid danger by a
roper distribution of troops.
Trouble With Obregon Rumored
Governor Cantu has under him about
20 infantrymen, all veterans of the
Cd Goth Battalion, and can possibly
sise another thousand, but these will
b2 unable successfully to oppose the
erces which are mobilizing against
hem
Rumors that General Obregon and
Provisional President de la Huerta have
lad disagreement, circulating here
or several days past, are regarded as
inspired by intrigue forerunning the
Residential elections. Some persons
nere generally qualified 20 speak in be-
III OF the remnants Of the asst regime
ave been insinuating that Huerta de-
4 res to retain che Presidency to con-
me The wori. ne has begun. General
oregon ridiculed anything Of the kind
d.. 4e said u0erta would not be
!a',y u such talk General Obregon
it.ied the appearance OF the con-
'-.r.,lve party, saying:
he party is stiil-born remnant
Sonillism. which already has been
n1elateI by the Mexican people
Provisional President de la Huerta
o-day announced that Article q of
ne constitution dealing with oil will
stand
MEXICO CITY. Aug. (By The As
sociated Press ).--Wu Yu Kan, presi-
Dent Of the Chinese Fraternal Union,
as written to T. X Fong. Chinese
ace dafaires at Mexico City, urging
Il 20 ask the Mexican Foreign Office
INC Chinese Legation ot Washing
.cr protection for the Lower Cali
s'Hla Chinese. VINO are declared to be
.acaaded by CGntu's rebe!iious plans.