Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-30
BATTLE AT PASS EXPECTED.
Federals Believe Rebel Movements
Screen Bashimba Concentration.

Screen Baehimba Concentration.
MEXICO CITY, March 30 P).-With
their backs figuratively against the wall,
rebels in Northern Mexico were believed
by the government today to be planning
a battle in which they would stake the
very life of their movement.
Federal aviators reported detachments
of rebel cavalry as far south as Rellano,
II miles north of the federal army of
Gen. Juan Andreu Alnazan, now gath
cred at Escalon. But these movements
were believed to screen the real con-
centration at Bachimba Pass. 63 kilo-
meters south of Chihuahua City.
At Bachimba' Pass some OF the blood
lest battles OF Mexico's past have been
fought. A small force heretofore has
been able to hold it against much
greater attacking armies. Invariably
victory has rested with its defenders,
who have been able to slaughter their
attackers as they advanced within its
1,000-foot gorge.
Depend on Airplanes.
Federal hopes to win battle at the
pass are based principally upon air
planes, which it is believed will be able
to bomb out the rebels and pave the
way for attack of federal infantry and
cavalry.
The country between Escalon and
Bachimba offers little opportunity for
defense. Beyond there are the plains Of
Chihuahua and the American border,
inviting only retreat and dispersal.
The government understands that
civilian forces backing rebel Gen. Jose
Gonzalo Escobar have told him that his
support will be greatly weakened If he
does not give battle soon. Retreat be-
yond Chihuahua, it Is said, would most
certainly be disastrous to the revolt. 1t
is believed there, too, that a soldier OF
Gen. Escobar's recognized military tai
ents would hardly abandon movement
In which he has SO much at stake with
out at least one try at pitched battle.
Bachima Pass is the logical place for
that effort. /
Generally, the sanguine note in last
nights government communique was
discounted to some extent when 1t was
said: without doubt Gen. Escobar and
Gen. Manzo have decided to make a
great concentration of their forces in
El Paso and Nogales, later to unite in
Los Angeles or some other distant part
of the planet"
Army Has Little Food.
Gen. Almazan has given his army a
chance to catch its breath at EScalon
after the bruising desert marches with
out water and little food. AS they near
Jimenez there will be more water and
they will be able better to obtain pro-
visions, both for themselves and for
their horses The necessity to repair
railroad lines will continue to delay
progress somewhat.
Government communicates announced
loss of 300 federal soldiers under Gen.
Armenia, who came to Chihuahua
thinking it in the possession OF loyal
lists, only to find 1t held by rebel Gen.
Caraveo. The government was aware
of Gen. Ermenta's illusion several days
ago and attempted to warn him, but to
no avail.
On the west coast Gen. Lazaro
Cardenas pushed 5000 Of his soldiers
into Mazatlan and prepared to pursue
rebel Gems. Roberto Cruz and Francisco
Manzo, who have withdrawn their
forces northward and are reported to be
holding Culiacan. It was said Gen.
Cruz received q slight wound In the
recent action against Mazatlan.
Dissension between him and Gen.
Manzo and the reverses attending the
west coast campaign are said to have
undermined the morale of the army
considerably, resulting in considerable
defectionS. Gen. Cardenas believes that
their forces may disintegrate as he takes
his own troops northward.
AS In Chihuahua this advance VIII
lContinued on Page 8, Column a.