Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-27
FEDERAL TROOPS
BURNING BRIDGES
Government Army Forced to
Retire on Mazatlan Before
Rebels.
MANY ARE JOINING REVOLT
Mexico City Menaced as
Seccssionists Take Suburb
Near Capital.
Lay univcrr,l ser,icn.l

BY Universal Service
WASHINGTON. April 2s.-Devclop-
reported in authentic adviccs re-
ccivcd here today. were threc-fold:
]. There have been further dcfcc-
tions from tho Carranza ranks.
=. Tho revolu,ionists are pressing
against Mexico City.
2. The military expedition sent to
rcconQucr tho lost State of Sonora
has failed.
The conditions now presented in
Mexico are SO radically different
from all others IN previous revolu-
tions ;ha; the question OF how TO deal
with dismembcrcd Mexico is al
ready voHing this government. Inas-
much as the loss OF the states al
ready revolted seem permanent. the
United States is now confronted with
tho problem OF securing the safety
OF American lives and property in
the disanec,cd districts. and of con-
tinuinE the commerce OF this country
with those districts. So far. how
ever. as To the security OF life and
property. this government is assured.
unofiiciai!y b. representatives, Of the
revolt that there Will be no danger.
That. however. is "A question OF fact
on which the government Will make
np it's mind when II shall have re-
ce!ved conclusive reports from the
commanders OF United States war
ships now In Mexican waters.
CnrrnnIistas Join ObrcEon.
Tho developments today appear to
be that General Mayotte. who was
In command of Carranza's military
forces in the state OF Guerrero. re-
fused to obey Carranza's summons to
proceed TO the state capital, ana with
his troops has Joined the rebels.
So near the capital city as Cuer
navaca. the news is that that suburb
Is held by the rebels. and that COM
munieatlon herewith is being cut
OFT.
The most disastrous advice from
the carranza viewpoint is that the
army which the Mexican President
sent out from Mazatian TO reconauer
S5nora is retreating on Maza,lan.
Following precedents. 1t Is not un-
likely that this force will 80 over
to the party Of General Obrcgon. The
Carranza troops arc reported TO be
throwing up intrcnchments. burning
bridges. etc, hut they have in front
OF them the revolving army Of Gen
eral Flores and behind them the
citizens OF a disafrected city.
Carrnnzn Claims Victory.
News received here from Mexican
newspapers indicates that Car.anza
is sending troops into Michoacan to
suppress the revolt and that his
troops nave defeated those OF Pablo
Gonzales. This report came from
whaI is regarded as the official
Mexican press.
From other sources, however. there
Is an intimation that the city Of
puebla has come out for the revO-
the members OF the legislature. What
seems to be only a rumor SO far is
that the !erment is active in the
most important city of Vera Cruz.
If Vera Cruz should go over to the
revolution the United States might
rama OF the necessity of dealing
dc facto with the revolution.
American Captive Released.
aqua PRIETA, SONORA, MENICo.
April 26.-An American citizen was
arrested here as a Carranza spy Sat
urday night by Sonora military Off
Gals hut released, according to infOr-
ma tion given w. W. Edwards, Uniied
States consular agent. who conducted
an investigation today.
The American. according to the
Sonora revolutionary authorities. was
warned TO return to the American
side and remain out of Mexico. The
Sonora officials had evidence, they
said. which would have convicted the
leased him because OF his youth and
the desire TO avoid complications with