Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-02-16
Lively Encounter on Lower Cali
fornia Border Results in Two
Dead and Several Wounded;
Neither Side Victorious.
AMERICANS FROM AFFAIR
WITNESS ENGAGEMENT
Rebel Forces Led By Socialist
Agitator From Los Angeles;
Government Soldiers Desert
and Cross Into United States,

IBy Morning Journal Special Leased wire1
Mexicali. Mex, Feb. 15.--Two In
surgents dead one wounded and one
Mexican federal soldier wounded. are
the known results of the first skirm-
ish at Mexicali which occurred this
afternoon. The engagement lasted two
hours
The fight followed an attempt on
the part of a hundred federals TO re-
take Mexlcali from the rebels. The
insurgents are still holding the place.
while the federals are tonight camp
ed behind small hill covered with
mesquite on the banks Of New river,
a mile southwest.
After about fifty shots were fired
by the advancing federals, the in
surgents replied, and from then on.
for period of two hours, there was
continuous shooting along the river
bank half mile south of the inter-
national line, One party of insurgents
was located within 900 feet Of the
line and Immediately opposite the
headquarters Of Colonel Devoe. at
which point large number OF Amer
leans witnessed the engagement. This
party fired persistentlv at point
across the river where the federal
soldiers had been sighted. The range
was such that had the shots been re-
turned, Americans might have been
hit. One federal was wounded by
this paay.
New river has been swollen. by re-
cent rains and when the federals
reached the banks they hesitated and
apparently decided not to cross but
make their stand In the brush on
the bank
When the insurgents heard the first
shot fired, n party was sent to blow
up the bridge of the California
railway In Mexicali. This was quick
ly accomplished. General Berthold.
the American socialist leader of the
rebels, rode from point to point In
Mexical giving orders to his men.
The heaviest firing was a quarter
of a mile down the river from the
town whore fighters were entrenched
In the ravnes. The insurgents invited
the fire from the federals by holding
their hats up with sticks to give tho
appearance of soldiers lying down, AT
this point one insurgent was killed
and two wounded. The insurgents
carried the Red Cross flag to the
bank and placed their wounded on
stretchers and carried them to the in
ternational line where they were re-
ceived by the American soldiers and
treated by army surgeons at the GUS
toms house building. One man was
dead when brought in and the other
dying.
The fight was watched by hundreds
of Americans from the house tops OF
Calexico The actions of the iBsur-
gents could easily be observed, but
the federals were well concealed In
the brush.
When the shooting was at its
height five Mexican soldiers could be
seen riding Off to the north and strik-
ing In straight line for the bound
airy monument They deliberately
crossed the boundary and awaited the
arrival of United States cavalrymen
sent out. When the soldiers arrived
the Mexlcans threw dawn their arms
md declared they were through fight
Ing and had enough They were
brought into Calexico and are held
Is prisoners. II is reported than one
pf the descrters has acted as secre-
ary for Governor Vega.
The city hall at Calexico has been
lifted up as Red Cross hospital for
he care of the wounded.
The insurgents are now said TO
number 900.
Americans owning property In Mex
cali early today raised American
lags over the building. The red flag
lies above the bun ring In Mexical
md large white flag bearing skull
md cross bones was raised above a
In the center OF the town.
While the engagement was In pro-
,ress United States officers with field
ilasses watched the progress from
ilgh water towers IN Calexico. A
inc OF cavalry was thrown along
front street and artillerymen were
tationed at the United States GUS
oms house No Americans were per-
nitted to cross the boundary.
Earlier In the day skirmish took
'lace some distance south of Mexi-
all In which two insurgents and one
'hinaman are reported to have been
.illed The insurgents declare that
iovernor Vega was wounded in this
light.
The wounded insnrgent Is Frank
Hilbert, eighteen years old whose
nrents reside at Alhambra, near Los
angeles. He went TO Lower Cali
prnia several months ago where he
plned the insurgnets.
ItDERO TURNS UP
IN VILLAGE OF GUADALUPE