File No. 812.00/20260

Vice Consul Blocker to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

A messenger arriving Eagle Pass yesterday from Torreon sent to border by Consul O’Hea gives following confidential report:

Villistas personally commanded by Villa, healthy and strong, entered Torreon December 24 after Government forces in demoralized condition evacuated city unknowingly leaving five hundred Yaqui Indians there who turned in favor Villistas joining their column. Sixty Chinese, five Arabs and approximately eighty Carranza sympathizers were murdered, the bodies left like carrion in street, and had not been buried on 8th when messenger left. All printing establishments were destroyed, several dwellings, stores looted, hundred thousand dollars loan levied, one hundred fifty cars merchandise loaded on trains and carried north which bandits abandoned near Jiminez on account lack of coal. Villistas left Torreon on December 29 marching northward after which Government forces under General Maycotte entered city. Villistas strength estimated after being joined by bands operating around Torreon at four thousand men. Stirring speeches were made by Villa at Casino in Torreon saying next move would be defeat of General Murguia then drive Pershing from Mexican soil. Torreon in worse condition than ever before. Messenger expresses doubt that Government commander has inflicted severe defeat on bandits as reported.

Blocker