New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-12-04
MEXICAN TROOPS BEATEN
Chihuahua Officials Admit Loss
of Battle at Pedernales.
REv0LUTI0NISTS GAINING
Two Officers and Number of
Soldiers Reported Killed
Diaz Seeks Peace.

Diaz Seeks Peace.
| Chihuahua, Mexico, Dec 2, by way of Ell
| Paso, Tex, Dec. 3.-The defeat of q de-
tachment Of government troops at Peder-
| males on Tuesday is admitted by those in
! authority here. The government is with
out details of the fight, however and
| ports brought In by passengers vary and
contradict one another to a great degree
| According to the most consistent informa-
ton, the government troops who met de-
feat were the band of 150 who left the train
at San Andres as early two weeks ago,
when the coaches were attacked by revo-
luuonists. They escaped at that time, and
| up to last Tuesday had been moving west,
getting food and water IN precarious
fashion.
Hunger, 1t Is said, drove them to Peder-
males, where insurrectos were known to be-
The revOlut1onists began a long fire. and
drew them close to the village, where the
former attacked in force, firing from roofs
and windows. The two officers in COM
mand were killed, as were a number of
soldiers, reported anywhere from nine to
twenty Several prisoners were CAPTURED
who are said to have followed the Latin
American custom Of Joining the enemy.
doNeilOT SdQCHSZ explained To-Day TINT
owing to the death Of the officers he was
without trustworthy advices. He under
stood, he said, that about fifty of the
soldiers escaped and were endeavoring to
return to Chihuahua
Governor Confirms Report
The Governor confirmed the report that
reinforeements are expected here daily to
he hill
troops now here will proceed along the
Mexico & Northwestern Railway in an at
tempt to pacify the disaffected districts.
He anticipates severe fighting of guerilla
nature in the mountains. The foreigners
would not be frightened even il the city
is taken, as the revolutionists have given
many assurances of their friendlness
Every mining and business man who has
arrived here yesterday and to-day agrees
on certain points-that the revoutfonists
are gaining in strength. that they are wei!
offlcered, that they treat foreigners with
the greatest consideration and that they
have plenty of money. Business, they ar
que. has been greatly depressed by the I'M
easiness and excitement of laborers There
Is no truth in the report that the mines
In the MADEIRA district are short of food
the miners in that section usually having
supply sixty days ahead of present needs.
RevoIutionist5 Have Money.
story typical of the situation comes
from Minaca. At that point store owned
by a German named Jungk was entered by
revolutionists recently. Two locks were
broken and his stock of dynamite and caps
was taken. The next day leader Of the
insurrectos appeared with a list of the
goods confscated. 1t Tailed exactly with
one made up by the storekeeper. The
caller produced large roll of money. from
which he paid the usual price of the goods.
He then insisted on paying for the broken
locks, saying that he and his comrades had
plenty OF money.
The revolutionists are by no means solely
of the peon class. In fact the small ranch
owner is said to be largely represented.
The insurrectos' commandant at San An
dres is Francisco Valdez Vasquez, a
chemist and assayer OF this city. who is
also the author of a book on assaying.
The usual trains now move on the rail-
road. They are scrutinized at the various
stations, but are otherwise unmolested.
There IS no truth in the report that the
governorship of this state has been
changed Or that change is expected. The
son of Enrique Cree, Foreign Minister, who
was reported missing week ago, has been
heard from and is safe
No demonstrations were occasioned here
by the inauguration of President Diaz at
Mexico City.
Peace Commission Starts.
A special train bearing a peace commits
sion of four members appointed by Presi-
dent Diaz left here tonight with a flag OF
truce flying from the engine. The commits
soners go to discuss with the revolutionary
leaders ways and means of bringing the
present disturbances to an end.
A letter from the President was received