MEXICO 214 MEXICO guarding the border. President Wilson at once organized a pursuit expedition under General Pershing, which proceeded ■>ver the border in spite of the protests of Carranza who demanded that the Ameri- can troops be removed. The search for Villa was futile. In May and June oc- curred other raids upon American towns and the situation became so threatening that President Wilson called out prac- tically all the State Militia for service on the Mexican border. Several clashes 'oUowed between American and Mexi- can troops. At Carrizal, on June 21, 1916, 12 American soldiers were killed and 24 wounded. Carranza expressed a desire for peace and asked for a confer- ence. To this the President consented, and a commission consisting of three Mexicans and three Americans met in New London, Conn., on Sept. 6, 1916, and worked out a program which assured the withdrawal of the American forces from Mexico. There now seemed promise of a period of peace. The Constitutional Convention met in February, 1917, to draft a new constitution. This contained many new and radical provisions and made espe- cially stringent laws against the rights of foreigners in the country. The con- stitution was adopted in 1917, when Car- ranza was elected president. The inter- nal affairs of the comtry remained in a continually troubled condition. Various revolutions broke out and at no time dur- ing Carranza's rule was there complete peace. At the outbreak of the World War Mexico was the field of strong pro- German propaganda. (See World War.) Villa, who had been little heard of since the raid on Columbus in 1917, be- gan raiding the border anew in 1919. Many American citizens were killed by adherents of Villa and by those of Car- ranza^ as well. On Aug. 14, 1919, the American Government informed Mexico that immediate steps must be taken to protect American citizens. In the same month two American aviators had be- come lost while flying over Mexican ter- ritory and were seized and held for a ransom of $50,000. The men were re- leased on the payment of the ransom. Another complication resulted from the seizure of William 0. Jenkins. Consular Agent at Pueblo, by bandits, who asked a ransom of $150,000. The American Government demanded his release, but Mexico refused to take action. The ran- som was finally paid. Late in 1919 a rebellion broke out headed by Gen. Felipe Angeles. General Angeles was captured and after court-martial was shot. Carranza's position became ever more difficult. His former military leaders, Obregon and Gonzales, became candi- dates against him for the presidency in 1920. A revolution instigated by Obre- gon broke out in Sonora in April, 1920. This rapidly spread oyer the entire couiv try until Carranza was obliged to flee from the capital, accompanied by a con- siderable military force. While attempt- ing to reach Vera Cruz, this force was attacked and defeated by the revolution- ists. Carranza fled with a small body of men, and while asleep in a small cabin at Tlaxcaltongo, was murdered on May 21, 1920. A few days later the troops of Obregon and Gonzales entered the City of Mexico in triumph. Obregon was now the most conspicuous candidate for the presidency and Gonzales professed his in- tention to withdraw. Both issued state- ments expressing their intention to strive to bring about friendly relations between Mexico and the United States. Adolfo de la Huerta was chosen provis- ional president in May, 1920. Vilk threatened to become a disturbing factoi on being refused what he considered proper recognition by the new govern- ment, but after conducting a short cam- paign consented, on the payment of a large sum of money and a grant of land, to refrain from any further military operations. General Obregon was elected president on Sept. 5, for six years, be- ginning Dec. 1, 1920. MEXICO, a city and capital of the re- public of Mexico, situated within the State of Mexico in the Federal District (463 square miles), about 7,400 feet above sea-level, near several lakes, and at about an equal distance from Vera Cruz on the Mexican Gulf, and Acapulco on the Pacific; is laid out with great regularity; principal public buildings the cathedral, one of the most sumptuous in America, about 500 feet in length, and 420 feet in width, forming one of the sides of the central square; palace of govern- ment; college of mines, a noble building, but now somewhat dilapidated; mint, with a front of 360 feet by 250 in depth ; town house, has university, etc.; numer- ous convents, hospitals, churches, the- aters, etc.; manxifactures of compara- tively limited extent, and trade mostly in the hands of foreigners. Mexico has a mild climate, and a pure and healthy at- mosphere. It is on the site of the ancient city of Tenochtitlan, which was destroyed on the capture of Mexico by the Span- iards in 1521. _ The city suffered se- verely in the disturbances dating from the end of the Diaz regime, especially in the fighting between the forces of Felix Diaz and President Madero in 1913. See Mexico. Pop. about 475,000.
