THE REVOLT IN MEXICO

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22409, 24 May 1938, Page 11

THE REVOLT IN MEXICO

Anxiety Throughout Capital ARDUOUS STRUGGLE PREDICTED / Events Minimised By Official Sources (UKJTSD PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPTEIOHT.) (Received May 23, 10.30 p.m.) MEXICO CITY, May 22. The realisation that the country may be on the eve of a new revolutionary period has spread anxiety throughout the capital. Emphasis is laid on the possibility that General Cedillo’s outbreak will afford the opportunity to other anti-Government groups to join the movement. Official sources continue to minimise recent events, reiterating that General Cedillo is not supported so far by a single member of the army, and also that there is no sign of support from any section of the country besides San Luis Potosi. This area, however, is admitted to be in the. hands of the rebels. Officials insist that only General Cardenas’s cfesire to avoid bloodshed has prevented the cleaning out of this territory, bpt an inspection discloses that General Cedillo has strongly fortified mountain areas, indicating that it will be a lengthy, arduous, and, perhaps, even impossible, task to dislodge him. It is understood that fortified aerodromes have been built at several mountain strongholds. General Cedillo is at present commanding a fleet of 57 fighting aeroplanes. It is believed a recent report that General Cedillo was going to the United States arose because of a secret flight to one of these strongholds, ■ An official communique reports that cavalry on the way to crush the revolt of peasants, under General Saturnine Cedillo, fought its way to Rio Verde, in the state of San Luis Potosi, clashing frequently with irregulars. Fifteen irregulars were killed, and many were taken prisoner. Fourteen pieces of field artillery, three cases of dynamite, and a portable radio station were seized. The rebels <put two railways between Tampico and Rio Verde. Federal troops occupied General Cedillq’s ranch headquarters at Los Palomas, which were found abandoned, presumably because of their lack of strategic importance. It is reported that Senqr Mateo Negro, Governor of San Luis Potosi, fled from the capital and joined the rebels.

General Cardenas is using the Governor’s palace as his headquarters.