Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-15

BACKGROUND
Gen Saturnino Cedillo has been
reported at head OF incipient Fas-
cist revolutionary Increment to
operthro,p socidlistic Cdrdends GOT
eminent. Landowners and other
propertied classes disconnected NTH
radical innovations. Large arms
caches reported created in parious
parts OF Merico in preparation for
repolt.
D. the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY. May 14.-Federal
troops tonight guarded key govern
ment buildings and patrolled streets
in San Luis Potosi amid growing
rumors of an impending uprising.
Virtual martial law prevailed In that
midi Mexican city Of $4,000 population
as reports persisted that forces Of Gen.
Ssturnino Cedillo. leader Of the last
private army in Mexico, were laying
plans for revolt.
San Luis Potosi is capital of the
Mexican state of the same name.
Advices received here said the move
with the expiration Of sick leave
granted Gen. Cedillo after his resig-
nation as military commander of
Michoacan last April.
Telephone reports from San Luis
Potosi late tonight said such early
developments appeared unlikely.
Resigned Thursday.
Sources close to both Gen. Cedillo
and the government, disclosed that
Gen. Cedillo handed in his resigna-
ton from the position Thursday and
that it had been accepted by President
Lazaro Cardenas.
Gen. Cedillo was said to have
stressed his illness in wanting to re-
sign and bis Discrimination to have
his leave extended. President Carde-
mas, in accepting the resignation. was
reported to have told Gen. Cedillo in
effect he would "hare to- take the
consequences" The defense ministry
declined to comment.
The exchange between the general
and chief executive and the latter's
unexplained declaration gave rise to
Gen Cedillo resigned as Cardenas'
secretary of agriculture in August
1887, in a dispute over the Presidents
agrarian policy. and Gen. Cedillos
future course then became the subject
Of speculation.
Government Move Predicted.
A usually reliable political source
predicted last October the federal gov
eminent would move to Dust the gov
eminent of San Luis Potosi state,
considered loyal to Cedillo
That prediction came after the as
sassination at San Luis Potosi of
Tomas Tapia, agrarian leader. state
legislator and newly named chairman
Of the National Revolutionary (gov-
ernment) party.
Tension developed from rumors that
Cedillo was ready to lead his own
army of 1900 in revolt against the
central government if it challenged
his two-decade rule of San Luis Po-
tosi, which covers an area of 24.4l5
square miles and has population of
$4,000.
A reliable informant said three or
four hundred Cedillista agrarians
slipped into the state capital in small
groups in the last several days.
Army Garrison Doubled.
The army garrison there at the
same time was said to have been
quietly doubled to 500 soldiers.
The garrisons throughout the state
were increased by 5000 troops within
the last year, while those Of neighbor-
Ing states were reinforced
Reports from San Luis Potosi said
30 soldiers were stationed in buildings
Of the national bank, the post Office
and the Federal treasury Office. Ad-
ditional troops patrolled the streets
throughout last night.
The city was described as presenting
. "desolate" appearance Residents
were said to be considerably alarmed
by the recurring rumors.
Cedillo's Condition Not Serious.
Gen. Cedillo was reported to still be
At Las Palomas, where he went in
April to recuperate from his illness.
His condition was not believed to be
serious.
Col. Josue Escobedo, former federal
deputy who was named acting head
Of the Michoacan military zone after
Gen. Cedillo reported himself Ill.
passed through San Luis Potosi yes
terday en- route to Las Palomas. He
was accompanied by several poll
ticians.
They said they would attempt to
persuade Gen. Cedillo to come to q
Mexico City sanatorium "in order to
put an end to all these rumors."