The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-08-21
THE CRITICAL PERIOD
YAQUI INDIANS HAVE COMMENCED
HEIR PASSAGE TO THE PIrAYA.
General Torres's Troops Are So Dis.
posed as tn Clear the Valley Al
most to the Sea-.

BACATETE. Mexico. Aug. is. via Potam,
Mexico, Aug. @.-The situation along the
Yaqui river from Medano to TORN has now
reached its most critical period. The In
dians have commenced their passage TO the
PLAYA and Bacatete. The main body OF
the warriors is reported to be in the vicin-
ity south Of Bacum while the remainder Of
them. are scattered throughout the woods
as far down the river as Medano I'm small
bands numbering from four or five 20 fifty.
The inhabitants keep themselves close
within the town limits and especially the
peaceable Yaqui element, who have had the
opportunity TO witness twice within tie
present week the execution Of General
Torres's order that any Yaqui found outside
the town would be brought to the Quartet
and shot. A small band Of ~renegades ap-
preached the river bank opposite Potam yes
terday afternoon and made an effort to
drive off some mules but were discovered
and retreated. Torres's entire field com.
mand is now at Chumampaco. four miles
above TORN, on the south side OF the river.
The generals next move will be 20 send cut
an advance column TO a ~favorite watering
place Of the Yaquis. Other oetachments,
which will follow. are intended to form a
line across the four miles of woods along
the river. 1t Is pretty well established that
there are few of the ~renegades above this
position. An advance will then he made
down the valley almost to the sea with the
purpose of clearing the valley OF the en-
envy. 1t is the opinion Of many who know
the Yaquis well that this removal of the
scene Of hostilities to the mountains will
be more advantageous to the Indians than
to the troops. for it was in these same hills
stood Off the government and killed some
MN over D,OO soldiers in the war that
ended in the making Of the peace treaty
of 1897.
A detachment Of the Seventeenth Regi-
ment, under Captain Morales, leaves Fotam
this morning for Chumampaco and one hum
dred men of the Eleventh Will start IN the
morning for the same destination. The total
number of soldiers now on the YaQui river
is $500. About LOO Of these are in the field
along the river doing garrison and other
duties, The Don Lorenzo. a small steamer
plying between Potam and Gen Torres's
day, but got away with one killed. Capt.
Macdonald, a Scotchman well known In
FL Paso. was wounded in the shoulder dur
inr the General Lorenzo Torres
is so far recovered from the wound In his
thigh that he expects TO take the field again
within ten days.
lied in Hermosillo and will leave for the
front via Batamotal The soldiers of the
Seventeenth Regiment arrived In Potam on
their march to join General Torres. whose
command left the lower river yesterday
from TORN, and they will be given three
days for a much-needed rest. They are
%footsore and sick and bordering on the
condition Of being entirely unfit for duty.
1t has been found that the machine guns.
OF which so much was expected, are a COM
plete failure in the fat jungle country. As
the Indians usually fight in small bands
when they enter the mountains, the guns
are expected TO be of little service there
also. In the last engagement the troops
fought a Colts automatic gun which was
brought into action. but was broken by
unframed hands before it was felt by the
enemy.