The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-23
Commander of Government Army Is In Very Bad Fix 
 at Chihuahua
AMERICAN BRINGS NEWS
 OF THE REAL SITUATION
General Navarro Is So Hard Pressed That He Hardly Has Enough Food for His Men and Cannot
 Bury Dead

Chihuahua, Mex, December H.-Via Fl Paso, December 22.-Rumors of the last of three days that General Navarro has been surrounded by the insurrectos were confirmed this afternoon by an American who left Pedernales, the scene of oper- ations Monday afternoon
 According to this observer Navarro physically is uninjured and remains at the head of a detachment of his troops. numbering 250 at the village of Peder- males. He described their position there as so precarious that scarcely a soldier l could poke his head from the protection of the houses without being fired upon. In Chihuahua no American cares to have his name used in connection with the war news because of the success of business depending upon the government tai good will. The American who brought the news talked under pledge of secrecy. He stated that while he saw only 250 of Navarro's force at Pedernales, he believed about $50 men, was posted in other posi- tions. He received the impression, how ever, that the federals have suffered heavy losses and he was certain that they were surrounded.
 He declared the mountains surrounding Pedernales, varying in distance from five to 15~mles, swarmed with revolutionists and added that so complete Is the invest ment that Navarro Is hard pressed to feed his men.
 The man who brought this report said hot l,- of Pedernales, but that the zone in which they lay fre-swept and Navarro did not dare attempt burials. He returned to this city through Nal Paso, where the troop train was shot up and counted 1s dead. He declared that detachment of insurrectos still occupied the passage.
 At PedernaIes he inquired after Gerald Brandon, correspondent of the Mexican Herald. with the troops.~
 Some answered that Brandon had been wounded for the second time and had started for La Junta through the insurrecto lines. while others simply reported him missing. Brandon had exposed himself freely In quest of news and report of his death or injury would surprise no one. Ills horse WAS snot under him near here three weeks ago and he was wounded twice in the recent battle of Cerro Prieto, neth- CT wound, however, being serious
 The bearer of the news given out Is the only person who has returned from the front proper in the last week. He also inquired for A. F. Sommer- field, who went to the front 10 days ago as interpreter for a newspaper man and remained behind to cover details when the latter returned to Chihuahua, but could learn nothing concerning him.
 General Hernandez, talking to a cor respondent, stated that General Na- varro had been ordered to remain Tt Redernales pending the arrival of re- Inducements. As is well known now the first of these started by train from Chihuahua last Saturday and were shot to pieces and turned back at Malpaso Sunday. The uninjured of this detach. ment. number probably 30. returned to Bustillos and are still there. Today 160 additional men took trains for San Antonio to which point the government controls the line end another 160 start ed to march the distance
 General Hernandez said he had re- cefved a rumor that Pasquale Oroszco, field chief of the revolutionsts, was killed at Malpaso, but he admitted that thls was only rumor. Official re. ports at Parral also say that Zeragosa, Balleza and Santa Barbara have fallen back into federal hands,
 Four hundred troops are operating In the mountains near Parral after ths insurrectors.