Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-22
NAVARR0HEMMED|N
Rum0r of thu Last Three DAYS
Is Confirmed.
HIS POSITION FRECARIOUS
Mexican General Is at Head of De-
tachment of ESQ NJ
AMERICAN BRINGS THE NEWS
Says Mountains Near Pedernales
Swarm With Insurrectos-Saw
Many Bodies Unburied.
AMERICAN BRINGS THE NEWS

CHIHUAHUA, Mex. December 21.-Via
Ell PASO. Tex. December 22-Rumors
Of the last three days that Gen. Navarro
had been surrounded by the insurrectos
were confirmed this afternoon by an
American who left Pedernales, the scene
OF operations Of Monday afternoon. Ac-
cording to this observer, Navarro per-
sonally is uninjured and remains at the
head of a detachment of his troops, num-
bering 80. at Pedernales. He described
their position there as so precariouS that
scarcely a soldier could poke his head
from the protection of the houses with
out being fired on.
In Chihuahua no American cares to
have his name used in connect with
war news because the success of his
business depends on the governmental
good will.
The American who brought the news
is In the same boat, and he talked under
pledge of secrecy. He stated that while
he saw only 30 of Navarro's force at
Pedernales, he believed that the remain
der Of the outfit, numbering in the neigh
borhood of $50 persons. was posted in
other positions. He received the i'm
preston. however, that the federals had
suffered heavy losses. and he was certain
they were surrounded. He declared
the mountains surrounding PedernaleS
that so complete is the investment that
Navarro is hard pressed to feed his men.
Afraid to Bury Dead.
The man who brought this report said
that he saw many dead near Pedernales.
but that the zone in which they lay was
fireswept, and Navarro did not dare at
tempt to bury their bodies. He returned
to this city through Nal Paso, where the
troop train was shot UP. and counted fif-
teen dead. He declared that a detach-
Inent of insurrectos still occupied the
passage.
At Pedernales 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 has exposed himself freely in
quest of news, and a report Of his death
or injury would surprise no one.
His horse was shot from under him
near here three weeks ago and he was
wounded twice in the recent battle of
Cerro Prieto. neither wound. however.
being serious.
The bearer or news given out Is the
only person who has returned from the
front proper in the last week. He also
inquired for A. F. Sommerfield. who went
to the front ten days ago, as Interpreter
for newspaper man and remained be- |
hind to cover details when the latter re- |
turned to Chihuahua. but could learn |
nothing concerning him.
Reinforcements on Way.
Gen. Hernandez. talking to a newspaper
man today. stated that Gen. Navarro had !
been ordered to remain at Pedernales,
pending the arrival Of reinforcements
AS Is we'll known now the first of these
started by train from here last Satur-
day and were shot to pieces and turned
back at Nal Paso Sunday. The uninjured
Of this detachment, numbering probably
thirty, returned to Bustillos. They are
still there. Today 100 additional men
took trains for San Antonio, to which
point the government controls the line
transferring them there. Another 16Ol
started to march the distance.
Gen. Hernandez said he had received
IN unconfirmed rumor that Pasquale
Oroszco. field chief of the revolutionists,
was killed at Nal Pas0.