Catedral de Chihuahua

'WATCHFUL WAIT' OF U. S. ALONG BORDER RESUMED

Troops Held Ready for "Instant Action."

BULLETIN.

Agua Prieta, Sonora, April 29. - Carranza troops and revolutionists had their first clash in the mountains dividing the states of Chihuahua and Sonora today.


BY NORMAN WALKER.

El Paso, Tex., April 29. - Col. W. H. Hay, commanding the border troops here, tonight issued orders that troops would remain in barracks and camps ready for immediate duty. He said last night's call to arms was issued to protect American lives and property on this side of the border in the event of firing. Col. Hay has authority from Gen. Dickman to handle the situation in any way he may see fit.

The mobilizing of American troops along the American side of the border had a stabilizing effect on the situation here last night. Col. Agustin Mora, garrison commander at Juarez, last night for a third time refused to join the revolution, with the rank of general.

Late last night Gen. Jose Escobar, believed less loyal than Mora, crossed to the American side, and is believed to have had a conference with American military authorities. Upon his return to Juarez both he and Mora issued a joint statement saying they would remain loyal to the government.

Guard Against Surprise.

Federal troops were placed at the overhead bridges eleven kilometers south of here to stop and search every train which came north for rebel forces who might be trying to slip up on the town as Villa did in 1914. Reinforcements are arriving from down the Rio Grande.

Reports from Chihuahua City are conflicting. It is generally conceded, however, that the city has been in possession of the rebels since Tuesday and that they were forced to abandon the town because of the approach of superior forces from the south.

Unverified rumors that Gen. Ignacio Gonzales, candidate for governor, had been killed; that Ignacio Enriquez, the former governor, had gone over to the rebels and taken 10,000 home guards with him, and that the Sonora rebels were marching over the mountains into Chihuahua state are in circulation.

Americans Safe.

Americans in Chihuahua City are safe, a telegram received from American Consul Stewart revealed. Beyond that few details of the fighting there Thursday are known.

Chicago Daily Tribune 30 Apr 1920 page 2