Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-04-13
Of
SONORA IS
. !: READY To
FIGHT
Twenty Thousand Men Are
Armed and Prepared TO
Resist Invasion BY Troops
OF President Carranza.
SECESSION OF STATE
DEFENDED BY GALES
Compact Must Be Regarded
As Broken Until Central
Government Is Willing to
Act Under Its Contract.

tsr MORNING JoURsAL SPECIAL LEASED wiRgi
Nogales, Sonora, April 12-The
4 new republic of Sonora, less than
forty-eight hours old, has a fully
armed soldiery of more than 10000
men prepared to resist any invasion
of the state by troops OF President
I Carran2a, of Mexico, according 10
the statement of Sonora officials
I here tonight,
General Jose Rios, former COM
mander of the Mexican federal
troops In the Sonora zone. arrived
here today from lIermosillo. tho
capital. He said he had abandoned
all efforts TO control any federal
military force in the state and that
his entire command in Sonora had
announced its adherence to the
Sonora government.
General p. Elias Gales. former
governor of Sonora and until re-
Gently member of Carranza i
cabinet became temporary ex-
ecutive of the state today when
Governor de la Huerta was taken
to a hospital for an operation
Gales left the Carranza cabinet TO
further the presidential candidacy
of General Alvaro Obregon, aud
became military commander for
the new republic" when the state
withdrew from the Carranza Pov-
ernment.
Slnaloa supports Sonora.
The report the congress of sina-
loa had expressed its sympathy
with the action OF Sonora was fol-
lowed today by an unconfirmed re-
port the Sinaloa congress had
pledged its support. if need be, 10
the new Mexican republic" Sonora
officials said they were confident
that In any critical situation Sina-
loa would throw its active Support
TO Sonora.
Officials of Sonora expressed the
hope the trouble with the Carranza
government would be overcome,
but In the meantime they continue
to take all military measures neces-
sary to combat any armed attack
by Carranza forces.
General Gales, In a statement to-
day, reiterated the m lvement was
a peaceful one IL the Carranza gov
ernment accepts the constitutional;
doctrine of states rights.
Under the constitution of Mex
ico," he said, the federal govern
ment consists of compact be-
tween the several states. II pro-
hihits sending federal troops into
a state against the wish or per-
mission of the state.
president Carranza sought 10
violate that contract and break
the good faith OF the central gov
ernment with the state of Sonora.
Until the government at Mexico
City is willing 70 act under its
contract and observe it's terms, the
people of Sonora must regard tha
compact as broken and not obliga-
tory"
Sonora officials here have re-
peatedly expressed the desire that
the Carranza administration recede
from its alleged intention of send
ing troops into the state and thus
bring about the return of the state
to the confederation fof Mexican
states.
Arbitration Proposed.
Nogales political leaders today
said they hoped arbitration would
be resorted to to heal the trouble.
The prospective delegation of
Sonora citizens 10 Washington will
not go in an official capacity, IL
II is decided for one to be formed.
1t was said today. The delegation
may go, 1t was said, to present the
views of Sonora IL arbitration lis
agreed upon between the state and
central government.
The Sonora republic" apparent
ly is without hindrance within the
state in its action. Here and else
where on the International boun-
dairy between this state and the
United States customs houses are
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