New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-16
Sonora Troops
Invade Sinaloa:
Battle Impends
Carranza Forces and Army
of Seeding Mexico State
Reported To Be Nearing
a Decisive Engagement
Rebels Capture 2 Towns
All West Coast Cunboats
in Their Power; Gen. Co
mez Declares for Obregon

Aqua PRIETA, Sonora, April Is (By
The Associated Press. Military forces
Of the new Republic of Sonora" have
crossed the state line OF Sinaloa, cap
tured two towns and are continuing tow
ard Culiacan, capital CT the neighboring
state, thus taking the aggressive in the
states fight against the Carranza gov
eminent of Mexico.
Ell Fuerta, one of the most important
mining camps in Sinaloa. about fifteen
miles from the Sinaloa Sonora boundary,
and San Bias, railroad junction point,
Lave fallen to the Sonora forces, accord
ing to official information received here.
The Carranza garrison was imprisoned
at San Bias. At Ell Fuerta twenty two
Carranzistas were killed and fifty
wounded
Reports that six other states-Mi-
choacan. Mofelos, Tamaulipas, Tabasco,
Campeche and Jalisco-have Joined
forces with the Sonora movement against
Carranza remained unconfrmed to-
Alght. 1t is known that agents and SYM
pathizers with the Sonora movement
were active throughout Mexico seeking
aid
Ready to Meet Carranza Attack
Reports to military Headquarters
here say tina. President Carranza plans
to send thousands of troops against So
nora in efforts to put down the upris-
ing. Leaders of the Sonora movement
declare this plan means a new revolu-
ton.
More than 5000 Sonora troops al
ready have entered Sinaloa, it was said,
and these included a large command
OF fully equipped Yaqui Indians, con-
ceded to be among the best soldiers
In Mexico. Other troops are being
had ~
, to guard the line between the two
! states.
Four hundred troops were expected
here tonight from Cananea to under
take the defense Of Aqua Prieta and
the district between here and Pulpito
Pass, through which, it was reported
Carranza has planned to send an army
into this district. There are more than
500 Sonora troops already stationed in
the pass and reinforcements are being
sent there.
The commanders and crews of the
gunboats Guerrero and Chipas have de-
serted to the Sonora Republic and have
been placed at the disposal of General
Gales, according to word received to-
day at military headquarters here.
This action gives complete control
OF the Pacific seaboard to the De la
Huerta government, as these were the
only two war vessels of the Carranza
government in Pacific waters. The
seized German steamer Vorwarts, which
is being remodelcd as a light cruiser
and army transport, will be ready for
service the middle of the coming week,
thus giving the Sonora Republic three
ships.
According to statement issued at
military headquarters, General Arnulfo
Gomez, who for several wears has been
in command of the Federal troops in
the state of San Luis Potos, has re-
volted against President Carranza with
his army and openly declared for Gen
cral Alvaro Obregon.
General j. M. Pima, commander of
the First Division of the Sonora army.
was expected here at noon from No
cozari to complete arrangements for
defending territory endangered by the
Carranza expedition. General Elias
Gales, commander in chief Of the
Sonora troops and acting head of the
new republic, telegrapher yesterday he
would arrive here this week to confer
with local military officers on the de-
tense.
Sonora leaders here described the
Sonora secession as the most critical
test President Carranza has faced.
They said military success by Federal
agencies would make him stronger
than ever, but declared success of the
Sonora movement ultimately would
cause the MEXICAN Presidents down
fall, when the seeding state again