The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-05-02
PREDICT FALL
. OF FIRST CHIEF
Carranza Told He Cannot Re-
Collect Customs Gathered
BY Revolutionlsts. ~
CAPITAL is SURROUNDED
Victorious Secessionists Ak
Wilson to Lift Embargo on
Shipment Of Arms.


The Mexican government has bsea
informed definitely that the United
States will sustain American busi-
ness men who do business with tho
ports of Mexico controlled by The
revolutionary faction.
This is the first surface indication
that many officials here believe the
Carranza regime has practically, dis
appeared. Further, the dispatch IT
the United States on the subject Of
the right to trade is in direct con-
flict with the decree Of Csrranza, by
which he threatens to re-collect port
dues. It is pointed out here that
Carranza cannot make a re-collec-
ton at any port unless he regains il
from the rebels and that in that case
he must make has own people reim-
burse him.
Hasn't Leg To Stand On.
The official statement of the United
States that he Is not entitled to the
! dues also makes ii clear that Carran-
"a will have no case against this
country. either in an actual refund OF
customs dues or of indemnity through
the State Department.
1 The ports which have been lost t0 :
iCarranxa are those in the States Of
Sinaloa and Sonora, on the west
coast and the border ports on the Ari-~
zona frontier. As to these the United
Ctot lIy - d7.fh hA
authorities there as de facto. Tais
process Of recognition, 1t is stated.
will be continued, and on the Same
grounds until there Is no question
that Carranza has lost the game.
Officials said today that the secret
| OF CarranZa's losses in the west and
northwest is that he has been obliged
to hold on. to the last moment, to the
oil fields and to the port OF Vera Cruz
The taxes and customs dues for the
oil and the business of Vera Cruz are
the mainstay at the moment for the
| Carranza regime.
U. S. Envoy Arrives.
George T. Summerlin, who is charge
d'affaires at Mexico City and who left
here for his post after the revolution,
Is reported today as having arrived
at Mexico City. Mr.. Summerlin has
| for q good many years been persona
grata to the Carranza government.
He was therefore. the best equipped
envoy this Government could send to
Mexico to ascertain and report on
| the actual status of Carranza's
| chances.
| 1t was Mr.. Summerlin who was In
charge at Mexico City when the
| acrimonious negotiations took place
\ between Secretary of State Lansing
and former Ambassador Fletcher In
the Jenkins case. which ended in the
designations of both officials. Mr..
Summerlin went to Puebla, where
jenkins was in Jail, to represent tho
United States Government The case.
! however, was taken out of the hands
of the State Department by President
| Wilson. some kind of an accommoda-
| tion was arrived at, and the matter
| blew over.
| Predict CarrsnEa's Fall.
The fall OF the Carranza govern
ment in Mexico within a short time
would not be surprising.
| This Is the view held here by offi-
cials who are In close touch with the
Mexican situation. and also by those
who are keeping a close tab on the
developments OF the revolution now
in progress under the leadership OF
General obregon. ,
All reports received at the State De-
partment and at the agency Of the
Sonora revolution here indicate that
the revolutionary movement is as
| strong as the Carranza government,
| If not stronger.
Representatives of the Sonora revo-
| luton here are convinced that Presi-
dent Carranza has already prepared
to fee from Mexico.
| According to unofficial advices,
! Matamoras will probably be the nexy
addition to the revolutionary forces
Rebel leaders are also reported to
have made some progress in Juarez
MorcIo. Rebels Menace.
Rebel forces in Morelos are the
most menacing factor to the CarranZa
government at present Morelos IL
near enough to Mexico City so that a
drive may be opened on the Mexican
capital with ease. Progress favor-
| able to rebel forces was indicated In
the latest reports from MoreloS-
where the revolutionary forces are
understood to have considerable
strength.
| General Almazam started his cam
paign in Northern Tamaulipas less
! than a week ago. at Guerrero, nfty
miles southeast OF Nuevo Laredo, on
| the Rio Grande. with Matamoras as
his objective, he swept rapidly along
the border, taking the towns OF Mier,
J Camargo, Arguellas, Reynosa, Ensen-
/ seds. and some twenty smaller places.
! lie is menacing Matamoras, which the
revolutionary agents here confident
! Iy predict will fall tomorrow.
! Meanwhile General Gomez ~ ad-
/ yanriug from Tuxpam toward Tao
pico. sonora agents In Washington
say Gomez and Almagam plan 10
Il