Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-20
BANK ROBBERY CHARGED.
Leaders Of Revolt Accused of Wholesale
LOOting in Advance.

Leaders Of Revolt Accused of Wholesale
Looting in Advance.
MEXICO CITY, March 20 Pr
Gen. Plutarco Elias Gales reorganized
his forces at Torreon today preparatory
to the drive northward to purge Chi
huahua of the rebel forces of Gen. Jose
Gonzalo Escobar
The federal 8eneralissimo arrived at
Torreorf at 6 pm. last night from the
| state OF Durango and Immediately be-
gan preparations for relentless pursuit
OF EScobar and the campaign which he
previously had said would be one of
determination"
At Chapultepec Castle President Por-
tes Gil said this pursuit of the revolving
| generals would not be against them as
rebels and political offenders, but as
bank bandits and large-scale looters
| The entire revolution was characterized
as nothing more than wholesale dep
redatory attempt with its leaders in
tending from the first to get what loot
| they could and then escape into the
| United States.
will Seek Extra6ition.
On this basis the President said
! every effort would be made to secure
extradition OF the rebel generals, who
are expected to seek political asylun
in the United States, as common Grim
inals. Attempt will be made also to
recover by civil process such money a.
they may deposit in foreign banks.
Banks OF Torreon reported, the gov.
ernment announced that Gen. Escobal
mad looted them of 1,023,0OO peso.
tabout $51l ,000). In Saltillo and othel
cities the loot from Banco de Mexico
branches alone exceeded $500 900 peso.
fabout $l,250,000), the government
said.
The usual communique detailing mil.
ltary operations over the country wa.
omitted late yesterday with the ex.
PLANTATION that the government consid.
cred the rebellion concluded in its i'm.
portant phases and that punitive meas.
ures would be consummated as soon a!
railroads could be rebuilt and commune
cations restored.
Little was known here of the where
abouts OF Gen. Escobar beyond round
about news dispatches, which said h,
had retreated with his army from Es
Gallon, Southeastern Chihuahua further
north to Jimenez.
Three Courses Open.
He was not expected here to max,
a stand there. 1t was suggested here h,
had three alternatives-open battle will
Gen. Gales, and probable defeat; fligh
to the United States, or retreat to tn,
mountains from which he could con
duct a guerrilla warfare.
In this latter case he might proloni
hostilities for many months, as dit
Pancho Villa several years ago.
Gen. Gales reached Torreon by auto
mobile and was greeted by citizens
committees. political leaders and hi
own generals, who had preceded him t.
the city. He announced he would i'm
mediately restore business to norma
and repair communications.
The government estimated he hat
10000 men at his disposal at Torreon
|, Gen Escobar, it was said, could, at
maximum, have no more than 500
men, of whom many were Ill equipped
J Gen. Gales found the insurgents hat
left behind them II railway cars loade'
with merchandise, 20 cars containing
, railway repair material and IA locomo
tives. Aside from money taken from
the banks, 1t was said their loot IN tn
, city reached large proportions.
vALENZUELA SEES REBELS.