Arizona republican., 1910-12-26
The Mexican instruction.


 The one good feature of the Mexi- can instruction, from the standpoint of the government, is that so far the trouble is practically confined to the state of Chihuahua. Whether the re- bellion is to spread will depend upon expected to take place yesterday or today.
 The rebels have wisely chosen the most advantageous location for pre- liminary fighting. The scene of hos tilities is approximately one hundred miles west of the city of Chihuahua, and almost south of the boundary line between Arizona and New Mexico. It is easily reached by Mexicans from the United States. The country is in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Madres. and is reached by two rail way lines-a branch from the Mexi- can Central from Chihuahua to Guer- rero, and a line running southwesterly from Fl Paso to Casas Grandes. Sur rounding Casas Grandes there is 6 considerable farming country. popu- lated chiefly by American Mormons. and it is from this farming region that the rebels are able to force their supplies. Unless the railroads are available for the transport of troops. it is a country difficult to reach On the west the rebels are protected by the almost impossible Sierra Madre range. although the government is trying to get troops through the mountains from Sonora. To the east and south the zone occupied by the rebels is protected by deserts.
 About a month ago. when it was learned that the insurgents were gathering in western Chihuahua, Gen eral Navarro proceeded to the local ity. with an army of one thousand men. The rebels led him into a pass in the hills and gave him battle. and while the Mexican authorities at first claimed that the rebels were routed, it has developed that they had a little the best of the fight. They have since held General Navarro at Pedernales, where they have him surrounded. Re Inducements sent by train from Chi huahua were unable to reach Navarro, the rebels having torn up the track and made such resistance to the re- inforcing column that it was com pelled to turn back Achievements have been marching overland from Jiminez and Parral in the south, and it was expected that these columns would be able to break through the rebel lines and join Navarro yester- day The railway from Fl Paso (Juarez) is out of commission, the rebels having burned a number of bridges and captured a train last Thursday. and the town of Casas Grandes is isolated.
 If General Navarro succeeds in ad ministering a crushing defeat to the rebels in the expected battle the government can hope for speedy ending of the insurrection. But if the rebels win a victory. or even sue ceed in making it a drawn battle, the spirit of revolt will undoubtedly spread, and the task before the gov ernment will be made much greater. While the news stories sent out from Fl Paso and Chihuahua cannot be re- lied upon entirely as the correspond ents seem desirOus of making their news sensational, it is undoubtedly true that the insurrectiOn is more inn portant than was at first believed The most reliable reports seem to establish that the rebels surrounding Navarro number at least 2.000. and as they have captured considerable quantities of arms and ammuniti T in the skirmishes already held. they are in position to make the ex- pected battle a serious affair. Ac- cording to the news from Fl Paso, Mexicans are crossing the line from Texas at that point at the rate of 300 to 400 a day. and they make no secret of their intention to join the rebels forces in the field.
 Chihuahua is the rebel state" of Mexico. There have been several small rebellions in that state since General Diaz became the ruler of the country, but heretofore he has all ways succeeded in crushing the in surgents without difficulty. This is by far the most formidable insurrec ton he has encountered.