Evening star., 1929-11-17
MEXICO IS TENSE
ON ELECTION EVE
Troops Are Held in Readiness
to QueII Riots in Bal.
Ioting Today.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY, November l6.-A
years presidential campaigning in
Mexico closed tonight. with troops held
ready in barracks in case of disturbances
at the polls when voting gets under way
tomorrow.
Political observers tonight predicted
that record number of voters would go
to the polls to choose between Pascual
Ortiz Rubio, candidate of the National
Revolutionary party, and Jose VaScon-
celos, candidate of the Anti-re-election-
ist party. Another candidate in the
field is Gen. Pedro Rodriguez Triana,
nominated by the workers and peasants
bloc which is closely afiiliated with the
Communist party.
Ortiz RubiO Held Winner.
Manuel Perez Trevino, president OF
the National Revolutionary party, sald
tonight that Senor Ortiz Rubio would
secure more than a million and hall
votes. It was generally agreed IN Mexico
City that he would win, but the exact
total OF the vote will not be known
until later this month because the e!ec-
ton districts must send in the Dallo4
to the Chamber Of Deputies Tor ex-
animation.
The government ordered border points
closed to American visitors while the
polls are open tomorrow to insure tnat
no foreigner can become involved IN
any disturbances. The ban was placea
in effect tonight and will remain until
pm. tomorrow, when IL Is pelleVeo
most of the votes Will be In.
At noon today saloons throughout
Mexico were closed by government de-
cree and "a hours of national pronlol-
tion went into effect. This measure
was taken to prevent any undue Cele-
bration in the vicinity of the polls whlch
might develop into riOting.
All troops, police and fremen tonlghS
were stationed in their barracks un-
der orders to stay away from the polis
tomorrow, allowing the most free klno
of voting, but to be ready to respond az
a moments notice to any alarm.
Portes Gil Pleads for Peace.
Provisional President Emilio Portes
Gil in a final appeal, asked party lead
ers to do all in their power to prevent
bloodshed and requested heads OF fam
lilies to keep women and children from
voting places so as not to expose them
to possible danger.
Despite all of these precautionary
measures observers will be surprised II
there is not some minor rioting at the
polls in the larger cities. 1t was be-
lieved tonight, however, that the gov
ernment will be able to hold these down
to small proportions.
The last stages of the long political
campaign have been bitter in many
places and there have been demonstra-
tions, rioting and some bloodshed.
A sensational statement by Luis
Flores, president Of the anti-re-electton-
ist party in Jalisco,, printed mere ana
stating that he had severed relation
ship with the party because followers
of Vasconcelos we're planning po.
litical revolution If he Is not elected, did
not create much discussion in the cap
ital. 1t was believed that the position
of the government had never been
stronger and that 1t was capable Of
quickly dominating any disturbance
which might follow the election.
Persons arriving here today from
Tampico. where disorders are regarded
as likely tomorrow, reported that the
lid had been clamped down this morn
ing with the suspension Of river, bridge
and train traffie and that strong meas
ureS had been taken to prevent any
gathering by demonstrators.
Tampieo is a stronghold of Vas
concelos and there has been already
some blood-letting during recent weeks.
A close watch is also being maintained
in Ctudad Victoria, capital of Tamauli-
pas and home town of President Portes
Gil.
Planes May Suspend Service.
The Mexican Aviation Co.. operating
mail and passenger service to Browns
vile, Tex, was considering tonight
suspending its service over Sunday.
United States Ambassador Dwight
w. Morrow broke his week end routine
by remaining here to watch election de-
velopments. Mrs. Morrow and their
daughter Elizabeth went to their ceun-
try home at Cuernavaca.
The president was reported i'll today.
He cancelled engagements, including a
reception for visiting members OF the
Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
Followers of Ortiz Rubio claim the
finest campaign organization in the
history Of Mexico with 72,000 workers
forming q nation wide machine. Vas
concelos is depending on his strength
in the cities and hopes that people will
pour out to register q protest toward
the government of the last three chief
executives, to whom Ortiz Rubio is the
party heir. Whoever is chosen will be
inaugurated on February 5, to serve for
four years.
Victoria E. Gongora, a leader in the
National Anti-re-electioniSt Party, to-
night denied the statement by Flores
that the party was plotting q revolution
and asserted that Flores worked his
way into the party as a secret agent
of the National Revolutionary PARTY
in order TO embaraSS followers Of Vas
concelos.