The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-04-16
First Battle Between Carran-
zista Troops and Sonora
Secessionists Takes
Place.
FOUR TOWNS CAPTURED
War Clouds Hover Over Country and
Rumor Factory is Working Over
time With Fresh
Stories.

limited Press Leased Wire Service.1
Aqua PRIETA, Sonora Mexico,
April 16.-Four towns in Sinaloa have
fallen before the invading Sonora,
state troops, according to report to
divisional headquarters here today
from General Flores, commanding the
invading column.
The first battle between troops and
the Sonora secessionists took place
at the town of Chix, Sinoloa, where
the Carranzista garrison surrendered
after one hours resistance and joined
the Sonora movement.
The Sinaoloa towns which have fal-
len into the hands of the Sonora army
are yaca. Adrodaca, Toro and Choix.
The SinaIoa state capital, Culiacan,
more than 100 miles distant, is the
objective of General Flores invading
column.
With war clouds lowering over Mex
leo and troops passing through Aqua
prieta enroute to the Sonora borders
to oppose Carranzista forces reported
approaching. the state also presented
the unwonted appearance OF dry"
country. For the first time in its
history. Sonora has the anti-saloon lid
clamped down. Gambling also has
been ordered stopped by General F.
Elias Gales, state commander IN
chief. It is believed he will tilt the
lid considerably within few days to
keep the soldiers and public contented.
Eleven Chinese merchants arrived
Eleven Chinese merchants arrived
here from the south, frightened by the
war clouds.
The secrecy surrounding CarranZa's s
nlan of attack on Sonora is causing
the rumor factory overtime work.
Eight hundred federals under Colonei
Fox who left Juarez this week for
Casas Grandes, are reported to, nave
reached there and to be making hasty
nrenaration for the overland march to
the Sonora border. This feat has
only been performed twice by an army
in recent Mexican history. Pascual
Orozco led his troops over the Sierra
Madre mountains in 1912 and Francls-
co Villa duplicated the march IN 1913
when he attacked Aqua Prieta.
Another rumor in circulation today
is that General Manuel Dieguez, Car
raanza's commander in the campaign
against Sonora, will lead 10000 men
to attack Sonora from the rear
through Sinaloa.
The characteristic scenes around
Mexican armies are being repeated in
the present armed uprising in Sonora.
Women and children camp followers
are in evidence. Discipline is none
too rigid. The men are dressed IN
all sorts of modescript clothes and
wrapped in blankets.
Would Cross u. S. Territory.
WASHINGTON, April 16.-Tne
Mexican government has asked the
state department to permit transpor-
tation or Mexican troops through
United States territory to fight the
rebels in Sonora, it was learned to-
day.
carranza wants to send his troops,
on American railroads, across SOUTH
ern New Mexico and Arlzlna from
Chihuahua to Sonora
Under the Mexican plan, Carranza
trOops would go to Ell Paso on the
MEXICAN Central railroad, thence
acyoss American territory to Doug
las. Arizona, by the FL Paso and
Southwestern railroad. FROM Doug
las the troops would expect TO pro
ceed into the reyolting state OF SO
nora and the result of this movement
would likely be a battle on the
border. it is believed here.
High officials of this government
have the Mexican request under con-
sideration.