The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-22
Gen. Navarro With Federal Army
Is Surrounded.
His Position Is Described as Be-
ing Precarious.
UNDER CONSTANT FIRE
Every Time a Federal Sticks His
Head Up
He Is Shot at Promptly by the
Rev0lutiOnists.

Chihuahua, Dec. 81, via FL Paso,
Texas, Dec. 22.-Rumors of the last
three days that General Navarro has
been surrounded by the insurrectos
were confirmed this afternoon by an
American who left Pedernales, the
scene of operations on Monday after
noon.
According to this observer, Navarro
personally is uninjured and remains at
the head of a detachment of his troops
1nbering $50 at the village of Peder-
nales- He described their position there
as SO precariOuS. however that scarce
~ soldier 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
war news, because the success of his
business depends upon the govern
mental good will. The American who
brings the news is in the same boat
and he talked only under pledges of
secrecy. He stated that while he saw
only 250 of Navarro's force at Peder-
males, he believed the remainder of the
outfit. numbering in the neighborhood
or 600 persons was posted in other po-
sitions. He received the impression,
however, that the federals had sustain
| ed heavy losses, and he was certain
| that they were surrounded.
He declared that the mountains sur
| rounding Pedernales, varying in dis
tance from five to fifteen miles, swarm
with revolutionists- He added that SO
complete is the investment that Ma
varro is hard pressed to feed his men.
The man who brought this report said
| that he saw many dead near the village
of Pedernales but that the zone in
which they lay was fire swept and Ma
varro did not dare attempt burial.
He returned to this city through Nal
PasO where the troops train was shut
up and counted Is dead. He declared
| that a detachment of insurrectos still
occupied the pass.
| Brandon Is Missing.
| At Pedernales he inquired after Ger
aid Brandon, correspondent of the Mex
| lean Herald, with the troops. Some
answered that Brandon had been
wounded for the second time and had
| started for Lakeunta through the in
| surrecto lines while others simply re-
ported him missing Brandon has ex-
posed himself freely in quest of news
and a report of his death or injury
would surprise no one. His horse was
shot 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 of news given out is the
| only person who has returned from the
front proper in the last week. He in
quired also for F. A. Solmerfield who
| went to the front ten days ago, as in
terpreter for a newspaper man, and re-
manned behind to cover details when
| the latter returned to Chihuahua but
| could learn nothing concerning him.
General Hernandez, talking to news
paper man today, stated that General
| Navarro had been ordered to remain
| at Pedernales pending the arrival of
| reinforcements. AS is well known now,
the first of these started by train from
here last Saturday and were shot to
pieces and turned back to Nal Paso
on Sunday. The uninjured of this de-
tachment, numbering probably 800 re-
turned to Bustillos. They are still there.
Today 160 additional men took train
for San Antonio to which point the
/ government controls the line, and an
other 160 started to march the dis
tance.
General Hernandez said he had receiv-
ed a rumor that Pasquale Oroszco, field
chief of the revolutionists, was killed
at Nal Paso, but he admitted that this
| was only a rumor for which condrnia-
ton was greatly desired.
Fight on the Border.
Ell Paso, Dec. 22.-There was fighting
! yesterday at Mulato, town on the
| Texas Mexican border east Of here and
| south of Maria, Tex. The news came
to Maria this morning by telephone
/ from Shafter and said that a band of
200 rebels attacked an equal number of
federals and that several were left dead
| on the field and many wounded
Customs Collector Robert Dove and
United States Deputy Marshal Warren
have gone from Shafter to Presidio
which is on the Texas side near Mulato,
to make an investigation That bat
tie was fought was officially confirmed
but which side gained an advantage
is not known The federals are report
ed to be in retreat to Ojinaga. however.