FIGHTING STARTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 187, 21 May 1938, Page 7

FIGHTING STARTS

THE CONFLICT IN MEXICO. PEASANTS AND THE AIR FORCE. THE DICTATORSHIP DISLIKED. » (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Received - This Day, 9.50 a.m.) MEXICO CITY, May 20. A message from San Luis- Potosi states that fighting has broken out between peasants armed by General Cedillo (overlord of the province) and the Government air forces. The railway between Tampico and San Luis has been cut.

The Associated Press correspondent states that General Cedillo sent a peasant army into the hills to prepare for guerilla warfare with the army of the President (General Cardenas). General Cedillo declared that he would not start trouble but was ready to repel all aggression by force of arms. General Cedillo, who is 45 years of age, js a Mexican-Indian and a Right Party supporter. He has been a jjolitical opponent of General Cardenas for twenty years and a dominant power in San Luis. Their dispute is Left versus Right. It is feared that if fighting continues it may spread throughout the nation and that Mexico may become another Spain. «•

General Cedillo declares that Mexicans are tired of the infamous dictatorship with Communist trimmings, which are ending all sources of wealth and submerging the country in • ruin and misery.

“I place the responsibility for bloodshed on the caprice of a man who seeks to make Mexico a dependent of the Soviet,” he added.

NEW MOVEMENT BEGINS.

OPPOSITION TO THE EXTREMES

MEXICO CITY, May 19. While President Cardenas is in the State of San Luis Potosi boldly disarming General Cedillo with the hacking of Federal troops, an important though non-military revolution is gathering force in Mexico City This is the move of the Federal Congress to assert itself against moves towards the exclusive labour domination of Mexico, and against extremes both of the Left and the Right. A majority bloc has already declared its opposition to the President’s bill giving Federal employees the right to strike. This .section now plans to launch a bill calling on the nation to support the Congress in its stand against extreme measures of all kinds. The bloc includes military leaders and other prominent members. •' ’