Arizona republican., 1911-06-12
EMPTY|NG OF THE JA|LS
Political Prisoners Were
Released and the Crimi-
nails Were Shot Mazat-
Ian Surrendered Without
Any Resistance.

Los Angeles, Cal, June 1t-Culiacan,
capital Of the state of Sinaloa, sur
rendered to the Maderoists on May
>. after nearly two days of fighting
in which hundreds were killed. The
city was nearly destroyed. Mazatlan
in the same state surrendered without
resistance on June >. These ad-
vices were brought by the steamer
Benite Juarez, just in port from MAJ
allan.
The attack upon Culiacan began
about May 80. The garrison was
slowly driven back, and after three
hours General Bandera's force of
insurrectos captured the chapel of the
Scored Heart. The building had been
fortified and the loss of life at that
point was heavy.
Meanwhile General Iturbide was ad-
vancing from the east on the town
sweeping all before him. As soon as
the Maderoists were within the city
they began to apply the torch and
dynamite the less inflammable build
inCs. Shortly before noon Governor
Redo. having no hope Of defending
the place. started for Alfalfa with
900 men. but his retreat was blocked
by insurrectos.
Meanwhile General Bonilla at the
railway station was fighting against
an overwhelming body of insurrectos.
About this time the latter captured
the Jail where the political prisoners
were released and the criminals killed.
Redo returned from his attempt To
retreat and an appeal for an armistice
was sent to- Mexico City but no reply
came.
on the following day Culiacan sur
rendered. the federals being guar
anteed their life and liberty. How many
were killed during the fighting is
not definitely known. Passengers ana
officers of the Benito Juarez were told
that the dead numbered a thousand
including soldiers, women, children
and other noncambatants.
Mazatlan, which, not long ago was
frequently assailed, surrendered with
ont firing a shot. When the off,
cials of the place learned of the fall
of Culiacan and the bloody scenes
there. they decided to surrender.
Nazatlan at the time was sur
rounded by 5000 Maderoists. while
the force at Culiacan was 1000. AS
soon as the Maderoists entered MAJ
allan they released the prisoners IN
the cuartel 1t is reported that prison
records showed that there were lO44
in confinement, a majority OF them
politicaI offenders. but the criminal
prisoners are said to have been sum-
marily shot.
before the Naderoists could occupy
uazatIan the mayor and majority
of the government officials and most
of the soldiers went aboard the gun
boat Tampico which had been an
chored off the city for weeks.
Chief of Police Ramirez, captain or
the rurales. MarciaI Bana. and another
police Official named Casilla took de-
fuge on the Benito JuareZ. Ihey
were followed 10 the steamer by the
AIaderoists. captured and taken ashore
The officers of the steamer were told
that the fugitives would be executed
AT o'clock in the afternoon. The
Renito Juarez left Mazatlan before an
hour.
Government officials and soldiers
are reported to have gone to Santa
Rosalia on the Tampico despite the
fact that the commander Of the Ma
deroists promised them protection
saving that the surrender OF Mazat-
1ar was all he asked. The victors
annear to have acted with modera-
tion however. The people were no
titled that their homes and prop
erty would be safe. and they were
urged to resume their ordinary Noca-
tiors. When the steamer left, Mazat-
Ian was quiet.
-O--