Friday, June 14, 2019

July 14, 1919. Wars and Rumors of War. Villa attacks Juarez, World waits for German decision, AFL protests Prohibition

On this day, in 1919, readers of the papers were treated to the odd news of an attack having been announced, and then delayed, almost like that of a sporting event.

Pancho Villa's reconstituted forces had been approaching Juarez for days and had announced their intent to attack the city.  The attack was delayed.


And the news reported it delayed.

According to the Tribune, that was because Villa's scouts had determined that the Constitutionalist forces defending Juarez were ready and able to withstand his intended assault.

On the same day, the paper reported the ominous news that if the Germans didn't sign the Versailles Treaty by June 21, the war may well resume.


The Wyoming State Tribune was more blunt in its assessment that the war in Europe may very well resume.

On the same page, however, it noted the arrival of the 148th Field Artillery, containing Wyoming National Guardsmen, back in the states.  How exactly the Allies intended to resume a war against Germany, on its own soil, with the US and the British disbanding their armies as quickly as possible was certainly an open question.

That paper also noted the Villista's delay in attacking Juarez.


The Laramie Daily Boomerang didn't bother with the Villistas, but it did with the looming deadline, as well as disturbing news from the Russian Civil War.


The Cheyenne Daily Leader reported, however, both that the assault was coming today, and that there were no rebels near Juarez.  It also celebrated Flag Day.

The prediction of an assault today was correct.  At 11:35 p.m., the Villista's attacked from the East.  Villa, who seems to have favored nighttime assaults, in an era in which they were very difficult, launched one yet again.  The Constitutionalist began to withdraw towards the center of the town.

Things weren't looking good for Carranza's men.

It wasn't looking good for drinkers either, which is perhaps why the American Federation of Labor had a big Prohibition demonstration in Washington D. C. on this Flag Day.



Others just wanted to send letters home.



Norfolk, Virginia, June 14, 1919.

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