New-York tribune., 1911-03-06

Two thorcand troops protect the city.
III Paso. Tex. March 5.-Mr. Edwards.
American Consul at Juarez, sent teIe-
gram yesterday to Secretary Knox asking
that he make formal demand on Mexico
for the release OF Lawrence Converse ana
Edward Blatt He adds that he is con-
vinced the two were kidnapped by MeXi-
cans.
4 dispatch received last night from No
gales says that there is an unconfrmed
report that General Luis Torres was capt
ured by the rebels in a fight at Corral OIL
Thursday. that 500 men were engaged on
both sides and that the casualties were
fifty killed.
DESPITE the assertion Of federal officers
that the city of chihuahua. Mexico. has
provisions sufficient for two months, El
Paso merchants. in close touch with con-
ditions of the Mexican city. say that the
food situation OF Chihuahua is becoming
serious.
El Paso is the base of supplies for all
American imports into C0ihuahua, and
merchants here are advised that coffee Is
selling in Chihuahua at g = pound and
sugar az 81 a pound. with other staples IN
proportion.
The gravity of the situation at Chihuahua
is shown by the departure tonight from
Juarez Of a construction train, carrying
Colonel Rebago and seven hundred federal
troops. II is said that Rabago's instruc-
tions are to clear the Mexican Central
tracks TO Chihuahua for the passage of
freight trains. His force will try to make
necessary repairs to bridges and telegraph
wires as they proceed.
officers Of the Mexican Central and the
Mexican Northwestern railroads say that
both roads have been commandeered by
the Mexican government. and are operated
under federal control This fact apparently
has come 10 the knowledge of the rebels,
who are making strenuous efforts to destroy
railroad property and to demoralize traffic
conditions on both roads.
Washington. March THE Mexican
rebels have control OF the railways north,
south and west OF the city OF Chihuahua,
according TO a telegram 10 the State De-
partment to-day from the VIcc-Consul, Mr..
Leonard
No attempts to reopen the lines are being
made Mr.. Leonard adds. lie SAYS that the
city is I'm no danger Of attack at present
II OelnE We'll EdfTlSOIeN ulu I'ltlltIlHllS fi'
visioned Business. however, is demoral-
ized and prices are rising. Telesraphic
communication with the outside world was
restored for only a few hours on March g.
and the insurgents, according to the dis
patch. have held the railways unmolested
since February 2s
Mexico City. March 5.-The night train
on the Mexican Railway from Vera Cruz
for Mexico city was fired on by rebels
early on Friday morning between Hua-
manila and Alta Luz When signalled TO
stop the engineman crowded on steam and
ran the gantlet of the rebels fire. No one
as injured
General Luque. ct Ojinaga. is reported TO
he busy through the operations of force
Of 800 men commanded by Jose de la Cruz
Sanchez who is operating from Mulato.
Many skirmishes have occurred.
military train is also reported TO have
left Chihuahua TO relieve Colonel Garcia
Cuelar who has not been able TO reach
his destination Casas Grandes, owing TO
the destruction of bridges between Sabinal
and san Pedro. Colonel Cuellar is report
ed to be encamped at Sabinal station.