The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-11
AT THE CAPITAL.
How the News of the Loss of Juare
Was Received.


Mexico City, May 11.-There is no one
in the capital not under the official ban
of silence, who does not admit that the
capture of Juarez by the revolut1on1sts
ADDS prestige to the revolt and that It
is bound greatly to augment the
| strength of the insurrecto cause.
The war began last November and
General Navarro took the field in west
ern Chihuahua Skirmish followed
skirmish and ambush followed ambush
with no apparent advantage to either
side.
1t has been fight of the insurrectos
led at first by Orozco and later by Ma
dero against Navarro. The net result:
| of the long campaign has been that the
| federal force was divided and that Ma
varro's diminished command was
caught at Juarez and decisively beaten.
Navarro was not accounted brilliant,
! but was given credit for bravery and
1 determination He was quoted here as
| having assured the president he would
die rather than surrender. 1t was be-
lieved he would hold his position. News
| that he had surrendered came as sur
prise, but, it is generally admitted, not
as disappointment to most persons.
| Among higher government officials
/ news dispatches which invariably have
been many hours ahead of official ad-
vices from the Mexican consul at Ell
Paso, and which have been much more
accurate, were accepted with reluctance
as truthful
Notice was sent to the newspapers
| that a cabinet meeting had been called
and inviting the papers to send repre-
sentatives to the palace. Within the
| portals of this edifice with a great show
| of confidence, they were given copies OF
| belated dispatches from the consul at
Ell Paso.
There were two of these, one received
| at p. m. and the other half an hour
| later, both saying the federals still held
their own at Juarez.
AS a contradiction to press reports
the messages speedily failed when, by
dint of cross-examination, it was learn
ed they had been filed before the sur
render
Six months ago the Spanish press
would have printed the kilograms in
| their biggest type. 1t is significant of
the changed conditions that not Il
newspaper has published them.
The general situation in it's increased
gravity furnished a solemn subject for
the cabinet meeting and one of the
liveliest debates in the cafes and sa-
looms.
With Juarez in the hands of Cen
eral Madero, the task of General Ra-
bago, sent north from Chihuahua with
500 men to the relief of Navarro, be-
comes more difficult.
If it proves true that some of Ma
varro'S force escaped after expanding
their ammunition, II Is pTODdDle, DIS
viewed here, that they will join forces
with General Rabago. Thus, accord
ing to popular and official opinion, the
issue at Juarez remains to be fought
out, probably with bullets, possibly
with the reopening of peace negotia-
lions.
The conquering of the governments
leading general it is generally con-
coded, can not but stir the martial ar
dor and the ambition of those bands
whose operations thus far have been
purely local.
The rebels have taken the state of
Chihuahua by force of arms; they
have long controlled the greater part
lof Sonora, and in the last two months
have increased in strength by leaps
and bounds in Coahuila Durango is
generally conceded to the rebels and
Zacacetas is overrun with them. In
Aguas Calientes armed revolutionists
Ioutnumber the federals To the south
of the capital lies the menace of the
four F1gueroa brothers. the most pow
erful of whom, with 500 followers, has
been awaiting the result of MaderoS
negotiations with the government. Re
Gently he said he would be guided
for peace or war by Madero. No word
has been received from him since the
fighting at Juarez began. Besides this
force vague estimates have it that
there are anywhere from 5000 to TO-
600 scantily equipped additional forces
waiting to be organized into a fighting
force by the Ffgueroas for an attack
on this city. The Figueroas say 5000
of their followers are armed.
In the last few days belief has
been current that the federal force
here does not come within fifty per
cent of the strength which has been
credited to it. In many minds there
is doubt as to the loyalty of many of
these troops should revolutionary vic
tories continue. Several Mexican Of
ficers. in private conversation with
American friends, have given tongue
to this fear.
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