Gomez Proclaims That He Is President.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 16, 1913:
Out on Bail, He Crosses the Border Into Mexico and Is Met by a Band of Rebels.
BANDITS HURT DENVER MAN
Rebels Take Nuevo Laredo Without Firing a Shot — Americans Conducted Across Border.
    EL PASO, Texas, Feb. 15.— Emilio Vasquez Gomez, who was recently released on bail at San Antonio, Texas, today crossed the border at Columbus, N. M., and proclaimed himself President of Mexico. In telegrams sent here to-day Gomez said that he would appoint his Cabinet at once. He said he was Provisional President of Mexico by virtue of the plan of San Luis Potosi, which was remodeled at Tacubaya and Ayula. The Tacubaya amendment to the original programme of Francisco T. Madero, Jr., proclaimed Gomez President, and, he says, was accepted at the time by the rebel Generals, Orozco and Zapata.
    The Vasquistas, as the followers of Emilio Vasques Gomez are called, say that this plan of the rebels has not been altered since, and that now they will rally to his call. The subsequent difficulty with Orozco, it is said, will make no difference now, as Orozco has disappeared, and Salazar is the Acting Commander in Chief of the northern rebels. It is said that the influence of Col. de la Fuente will be sufficient to bring Salazar and Gomez to a satisfactory understanding.
    It is said that Gomez was met beyond the border to-day by a band of rebels, led by De la Fuente, who is Salazar's chief of staff. Emilio Vasquez Gomez and his brother, Dr. Francisco Vasquez Gomez, were prominent in the Madero revolution. Emilio was a member of the De la Barra provisional Cabinet.
    During Orozco's occupancy of Juarez, during the Orozco revolt, Emilio came to Juarez to become provisional President, but was put in jail by Orozco. Gomez was released later and came to the United States, where he was arrested on charges of violation of the neutrality laws. Recently he was released on bond at San Antonio and his whereabouts since have been unknown until to-day.
    Manuel L. Lujan, an agent of the rebels, returned to-day from Gen. Salazar's camp, some fifty miles distant, and reported that under no circumstances would the rebels attack Juarez. They expect, however, to enter the town peacefully, as the rebels did in Chihuahua City. In case of trouble between the regular and volunteer troops, Lujan said that Gen, Salazar would help the regulars if the regulars would join the Diaz revolution.
    "Gen. Orozco's whereabouts remain in doubt," said Lujan. "I could not find him. Salazar says he has complete leadership of the northern rebels in view of Orozco's disappearance, and I was made sole rebel agent in the United States."
    No telegraph line or railway is in operation below Juarez, and no word has been received for two days from the American settlements in the Casas Grandes district or from Chihuahua City, the State capital.
    Of the 1,000 Government soldiers at Juarez, nearly one-half are irregulars, commanded by chiefs who fought in the Madero revolution, and have remained loyal to the President. Col. Ignacio Escarate, the volunteer commander, has said that, in event of Madero's defeat, he would disband his troops. "We will quit if Madero does," he said to-day.
    Col. Juan N. Vasquez, a regular, says emphatically that he is in full command of the Juarez garrison. Rebel agents say that Vasquez and his officers will probably go over to the Diaz revolution.