Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-08
yTLLAREAL LEADS REBELS.
Government Forces Victorious II
Clashes Through South.

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MEXICO CITY. March R),-Gcn.
Antonio Villareal. who entered Mexico
on horseback from the United STATES
several months ago in denance OIL
government ban. is said in government
statenoent to have been named chief OF
the garrison at Torreon by Gen. Escobar,
rebel leader.
Raoul Madero, a relative of the late
President Madero. Manuel Amaya. chief
Of the protocol section Of the foreign
office under President Carranza. and
Gen. Luis Gutierrez. former governor OF
the State of Coahuila also were declared
IN have afiliated themselves with the
rebels during Escobar's occupancy OF
Monterey.
Rebels Hold TorreOn.
Strong rebel forces today held Tor
reon. an industrial city in western
Coahuila near the Durango line, while
federal troops were missing at Guadala-
lara for a northward counter-offensive.
The federal government admitted that
the insurgents had effected coalition
of troops under Gen. Francisco UrbaleJo
and Gen. Escobar, which would re-
ouire a major offensive to dislodge. The
position is: strategic. commanding Inc
important north and south railway
through the heart Of the country and
also several minor east and west lines.
This threat. was temporarily at least.
blocked. by the troop barrier thrown
up by Gen. Anacleto Lopez in the state
OF Zacatecas. directly to the south.
Meanwhile, Gen LaZarO Gardenas, who
was appointed supreme commander Of
all federal forces in the states. of
Jalisco, Guiana juato and Michoacan, was
mobilizing these forces at Guadalajara.
Whether this army would be first
directed against Torreon, or would move
westward to meet the rebel advance in
SinalOa, was not known.
Vera Cruz Almost Normal.
The federal government was confident
that its campaign in the state of Vera
Cruz was nearing a glorious end
Strong federal forces have entered the
city OF Vera Cruz and today had re-
stored it almost to normal. Their VIC
tory had been won for them by small
force of deserters from the rebel ranks
under Lieut.. Col Jose Cervantes. who
drove Gen. Jesus M. Aguirre from the
city after day of bloody street fighting.
Cervantes then found himself with a
worn and battered command holding
city cut off from all communication
with federal forces only few miles
sway. He reached them by cabling to
the Mexican embassy in Washington,
which relayed his appeal to Mexico
CITY and fresh federal troops fastened
forward to relieve his weary men.
Aguirre Enters Tehuantepec Isthmus.
1t was definitely learned that Aguirre
retreated to the 1sthmus of Tehuante-
pee. In the southern part OF Vera Cruz,
where he had hoped to find additional
supporters. However, Gen. Alexandra
Mango was marching across the isthmus
from the state of OaXaca and, with other
troops following up Aguirre. 1t was
hoped to catch him between two fires.
The Mexican navy was due At Tampico
today to refuel and will then begin a
patrol of the Gulf Coast to prevent es-
cape by sea Of Aguirre.
A government statement said that
the rebel general will have difficulty
in escaping with his life"
President Portes Gil and his emer-
gency secretary of war. Plutarco Elias
Gales, were openly jubilant over the
turn of affairs,
Press Censorship Lifted.
The President lifted the censorship
which had been applied to press dis
patches from the capital since last Sum
day night
Of1fcial sentiment in the capitol
seemed to be that the federals at
Juarez would render an account Of
themselves over which there need be no
worry.
The Sonora rebels. under Gen. Fran
! cisco ;Manzo and Gen. Roberto Cruz.
continued to drive Southwark through
i the State of Sinaloa. Federal Gen.
Jaime GARLIC has small force at the
port Of Mazatlan, in that state, but it
| probably will be insufficient to with
stand a concerted rebel attack.
The Torreon forces Y ere believed to
number between 5000 and 1000 men.
The Sonora Sinaloa rebel column was
said to number only 1000 men.
The insurgents were reported to have
reached the town Of Guamuchjl' in their
/ slow southwark advance. The govern
ment is sending reinforcements to Gen.
! GARLIC which are expected to reach
] Mazatlan before the insurgents attack.
Escebar. Aba ndons Monterey.
/ Rather than be caught IN an cncir-
J cling movement, Gen. Escobar abandoned
| Monterey after holding it only two DAYS.
| His precipitated withdrawal. which
! The government says has not stopped vet
! and may not until he finds safety at the
border. left the federals free to con-
centrate on the Sonora insurgents. who
constitute the sole remaining threat.
Gen. Armenia and Reynea of the
Federal forces in Sonora have refused to
! join the rebel movement and were max
| ing their way over the mountains to
! Montezuna. $751;,
Jalapa. one II the most important
| cities in Vera Cruz had been cleared Of
insurgents by federals. although not be-
| fore they collected $4,000 pesos from the