Mexican Peace?

The civil war which has swept over most of the United States of Mexico during the past two months (TiME, Oct. 29, Dec. 17 et seq.) was virtually ended by the Federal troops under President Obregon, who had received official assistance from the U. S.

Under pressure from the advancing Federal troops, General Adolfo de la Huerta, rebel generalissimo, ordered the evacuation of his stronghold and "capital," the port of Vera Cruz. General de la Huerta declared that he had not ordered the evacuation compulsorily, but voluntarily, "in order to liberate for active service in the field the several thousand troops defending the railways approaching the port, which was almost valueless as a base of operation." The rebel leader was later reported to have established a "capital" or base at Tuxpam in the State of Vera Cruz. Another report gave the place as Merida, capital of the State of Yucatan.

Meanwhile, the Federal advance on the port of Vera Cruz was held up by the constant railway repairs made necessary by the rebels. After a lapse of seven days, however, the post was formally entered by the victorious troops and the lines of communication between Mexico City and the coast were thus solidly in the hands of President Obregon.

On the Western Front in the vicinity of Ocotlan, about SO miles from the town of Guadelajara, a crushing defeat was inflicted on the rebels. After two days of artillery preparation, 10,000 Federal troops were hurled against the enemy, and after eleven hours of furious fighting they were routed.

With the collapse of Vera Cruz and the Western Front, the backbone of the revolution was said to have been broken. There were numerous rebe forces scattered in various parts of the country which had still to be overcome, but no serious trouble was anticipated. Future fighting will be guerilla warfare, however, and quick results were not anticipated by competent military observers.