Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-11


nightfall was expected. It was believed
Gen. Escobar's force of possibly few
thousand troops would be no match
for Gen. Gales, and retirement from
the city northward to Chihuahua was
not improbable.
Canitas Taken by Gales.
Fall of Canitas to Gen. Gales yester-
day was such as to startle even the
most optimistic here. An aviator fly
ing over the rebel lines reported he
saw everywhere men waving white
flags.
The aviator communicated with the
federal vanguard, which Immediately
established contact with the rebels,
with the result that three entire regi-
mentS of $50 men each surrendered
and were incorporated into the fed
eral ranks.
Gen. Francisco Urbalejo, command
ing the army, escaped with 80 of his
followers, either for Durango, where he
may have other troops, or TO Tiorreon
to join Gen. Escobar.
Thus without shedding single drop
of blood the federals gained possession
of a railway junction, offering access
to both Durango, and to Torreon, Chi
huahua, and points North.
The government explanation Is that
the rebel generals have told their men
they were fighting for the government
and that they have been quick to re-
turn to their old allegiance as soon
as they discovered their mistake. The
federal commanders hope for further
surrenders of this sort.
Dispatches indicate a state OF affairs
not so favorable to the federals on
the West coast. There the advance OF
the rebel army under Gen. Francisco
Manzo had extended from Sonora down
through the State of Sanola to Cullas.
Mazatlan, one of three stable West
coast ports was the object.
GARLIC Defending Mazatlan.
Defending Mazatlan from the rebels
was small force under Gen. Jaime
GARLIC. A government announcement
today said the advance had stopped, al
though it did not indicate when, where,
or why. A possible explanation was
found however FL dispatches which told
of withdrawal of some of Manzo's men
for use on the Chihuahua front.
Success of this rebel West coast VEN
ture might give them a base OF opera
lions for at least threat against Mex
leo City, by way of the State OF Nayarit
and the city of Guadalajara. Such an
offensive would threaten the rear OF
Gen. Gales army and probably divert
some of his forces from the Northern
front.
From Canitas some 1000 federal
troops have been sent westward to
Durango, capital of the State Of that
name Only a small rebel garrison Is
believed remaining there and little diff
Guilty is expected in capturing the city.
Moving westward from Monterey, gov
eminent reports said, Gen. Andrea Al
mazan had between 5000 and 5000 men
ready to aid in the attack on Torreon.
Government announcements said an
offer of surrender had been received from
Gen. Jesus M. Aguirre, commander OF
the rebel forces in the state OF Vera
Cruz, who was forced to flee the city OF
that name after most Of his force re-
turned to the government banners. The
generals offer was made conditional
upon his being allowed to make his way
out OF the country safely.
Offer Is Refused.
The announcement said the offer was
refused and he was told he and his men
would have to surrender Internationally
and submit to court-martial.
1t is said here the government does
not intend to be lenient with the rebel
leaders and that If blood doesn't flow
on the battlefields it will at least run
freely before firing squads. Thus far
there have been three federal execu-
tions: Gen. Jesus Palomera Lopez, Mex
| leo City; Gen. Juan Lagunnas at AL
varado, Vera Cruz, and Gen. Ireneo
Villareal at Parras, Nuevo Leon. If
rebels have executed any it is unknown
here.
Meanwhile Mexico City remains calm.
Aerial and railroad communication has
been resumed with the United States
and steamers are calling again at Vera
| Cruz.
The most serious effect of the revo-
luton in the capital has been economic
in nature. Business in general has en-
tered such dull period some concerns
have been obliged to close down. Sal
airy slashes on a wide scale have be-
come necessary.