Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-15
CARRANzA WITH
ESCORT ESCAPES
TRAPSETBYFOES
0bregon Reports That He
Fled to Mountains-Sur-
render Also Reported.


render Also Reported.
Carranza's escape from the revolu-
tionary forces which attacked his
troops near Esperanza was reported
today by Gen. Obregon in message
to revolutionary agents on the bor-
regon said the deposed president had
succeeded in breaking through the
revolutionary lines and, accompanied
by a small escort, was moving south
ward into the mountains. The message
added that CarranZa was being pur-
sued by the revolutionists.
No Additional News Obtained.
Official reports reaching Washing
ton today contained no additional
news of the operations begun a week
ago to effect the capture Of the flee
ing president. Recent Information,
however. indicated that the fighting
had not been as severe as reported
unofficially. Apparently the revolu-
tionary commanders had used tactics
loss with the idea of carrying out
obregon's injunctions against injur-
ing CarranZa.
The escape Of the president was re-
garded by government officials here
as adding q complex feature to the
situation. since with him at large
there is set up q rallying point for
those opposed to the new forces. Car
ranza's chances Of escaping capture
were regarded as comparatively
slight, however. largely because of
his age and physical condition, which.
it was believed, will make 1t diff
cult for him to undergo the hard rid
ing and exposure he will be forced to
face.
Breaks Through Enemy Lines.
VERA CRUZ. May Is (by the AS
sociated Press).-President Venus
tiano Carranza, who, with loyal fol-
lowers, has been fighting a grim bat
tie against revolutionary forces near
San Marcus for the past five days
has escaped capture, at least tenn
porarily. according to dispatches from
the battle zone.
Accompanied by 1000 Of his men
the president has broken through the
insurgent lines near Chalchicomula
about fifty miles from Puebla, and 4:
believed to be in the mountainous
country between Puebla and Caxaca
He left behind him a force of gov
ernment soldiers which still is fight
ing in an effort to delay pursuit OF tho
fugitive chief executive.
Omcers Ready for "Grand Attack"
Gems. Higinio Aguilar and Guidelupe
Sanchez. at the head Of large units OF
revolutionary troops. on Thursday were
prepared, for a grand attack. accord.
Ing to a captain who arrived here
yesterday from the scene of the fight
ing. Later dispatches seem to indicate
that Carranza feared this attack
would be successful. and he decided to
slip through the enctrcling lines Of
his enemies. leaving Gems. Murguia
and Urauizo to meet the onslaught OF
the insurgents. Before taking refuge
in flight, Carranza is said to have de-
stroyed trains still held by his troops,
together with war material too heavy
to be carried away.
Serious fighting probably has occur
red since Carranza left the battle zone.
as dispatches say prisoners have been
captured by the attacking forces.
Carranxa's Plan to Escape Trap.
Reports from Chalchicomula yes
teEday showed quite clearly that Car
ranza's men were working their way
to the southeastward. instead of re-
naming in their original positions
north of San Marcos. 1t would seem
this movement may have been a part
of the presidents plan OF breaking
out of the trap that was closing
of the battle zone that Carranza es-
capped. Fighting was reported about
six miles from Chaichicomula, which
meant an advance down the railroad
toward this city of about nineteen
miles in the last few days.
Il <~ ~
the fight Thursday afternoon, but
was repulsed after a hard struggle.
Gen. Liberato Lara Torres. one Of the
chief lieutenantS of Gen. Sanchez.
was injured fatally while leading his
men in a hand-to hand combat. re-
ceiving a sword wound in thAneck.
He was taken to Orizaba, where he
died yesterday.
Amply Supplied With Artillery.
Carranza's troops were well supplied
with artillery and machine guns, and
revolutionary infantry and cavalry
met a perfect barrage Of shells and
bullets as they advanced to the at
tack. Two Of Carranza's trains were
taken and burned, but government
forces were able to stop the advance,
and after four hours Of fighting the
insurgents retired. Heavy losses were
inflicted on both sides during the
IL
Ell Dictamen.
The American transport Portland
and the British cruiser Cambrian ar
rived here today.
Advices from the battlefield are
silent as to the safety of W. A. Body,
British consul In this city. and two
American citizens, who are believed
to have been with President Carranza
when the fighting started early this
week.
Report of Escape Not Confirmed.
Ell PASO. May 15.-Ohcials here
early today were without confir1na-
tion Of the news dispatches from Vera
Cruz that President Carranza and a
force Of 1000 men had escaped the
Gordon of revolutionary troops and
fed to the mountains. It was said
that this fact would make no differ
ence in the plans for special ses-
sion Of congress In Mexico City May
"a, for naming provisional presi-
dent.
An interesting development during
the night was the announcement that
Francisco Villa has been eliminated
from Mexican military affairs. Just
with the rebel chief was not an
and q conference to arrange
a definite agreement was said to have
been arranged between Gen. F. Elias
Gales and the rebel chieftain.
Conference With villa Planned.
JUAREZ, May ia conference
will be held soon between villa and
Gen. P. Elias Gales. Sonora revolu-
tionary leader, which will eliminate
Villa from power in Chihuahua, it
was stated here today by Gen. Euge-
MO Martinez, commander of the revo-
lutionary forces in the state of Chi
huahua. Gen. Gales is expected to
arrive here some time today, the Chi
huahua commander announced.
while we have already reached a
understanding with Villa as
to his relations with our movement.
which so far has not been hostile, 1t
has been thought desirable that Gen.
Gales should further define these re-