New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-08
The Insurgent Leaders Drawing
a Gordon Around the
Mexican Town.
FEDERALS DRIVEN TO CITY
Skirmish Results in Speedy Re.
treat-Banks Rush Money
to El Paso-Americans
Watch Fighting.

surgent leaders, are OF the gates OF the
city. The banks have rushed their
money and valuabies 10 Fl Paso. and
the federal forces are preparing for
vigorous defence.
II was learned that tho combined forces
.cf the rebels had made plans for an as
sault on Juarez some time after mid
night Both sides aye preparing for
decisive engagement
The hills 70 their rear seem full ot
men. They came from the wes'. and
have arparonty completely circled Ju-
arez.
Three hundred rebels under Delsado
prepared their supper on the scene az
the afternoon skrmlsh line without mo-
lestation.
At 4:40 O'Clock the federal troops had
retreated TO Juarez and the rebels had
ceased firing. Federal cavalry refused TO
fire when it reached the scene. and
Americans jeercd the cavalrymen.
Hundreds of FL Paso citizens stood on
the hills watching the fight.
An aid TO Captain Delgado said that
the engagement this afternoon was
nothing more than a skirmish. The in
surgents were compelled TO come TO the
river for water. and were attacked by
the federals, who endeavored to drive
them back, without success. He says
all the rebel forces in Northern Chi
huahua are gathering here for an as
sault on Juarez. and the assault will be-
gin as soon as the forces get together.
The first action at Juarez between fed
eral troops and insurgents was exhibited
to-day Exhibited" is the proper word.
for no one was hurt on either side. and
the exhibition was seen by n thousand or
more citizens of FL Paso, who lined the
bank Of the Rio Grande on the American
side about three miles west OF FL Paso.
At $40 o'clock rebels on the hills fired
on Mexican regulars In the river bed.
There was no reply. Several other shots
followed from insurgents ranks, and the
federals marched out TO meet them.
Bullets Fail Among Americans.
Bullets dropped among Americans
watching the fight from the Texas side
onnosite the Globe -four mills, near old
! Fort Bliss.
The exchange OF missiles lasted about
fifteen minutes and about two hundred
shots were fired. According to Pascual
Orozco. leader of the rebels, his men
fred only fifty Of these. He said that
the fcderals got away so fast that hey
were out of range before more SHOTS
could be fred at them.
| The federals arc behind the walls ot
the cathedral of Guadeloupe. ~ the par
racks and Of the bull ring AT Juarez
across the river from here. Orozco re-
mains in possession Of the position
which he occupied at noon ana heio
against the federal advance. lie sara
that he firmly intends TO attack Juare"'
but that he awaits the arrival of Cen
oral Blanco with so men. lie loohea
for the latter at any moment
Orozco's present force around Juare'
numbers under six hundred men propa-
INV 55o OF these 800 were with nm IN
tho skirmish this afternoon. inc iederal
torces bv actual count, number 1871 m
o,rd,rg one hundred foot soldiers ana
o,ohtv-four mounted infantry Ihsy
took with them no artillery ara oF'zco
has none.
| The lnsurgont leader and his men
spent !art night at Rancho Flores usual.
l.. Inhabited by Few horses and nero
/ Of goats. which the rebels took
0rozco LEFT the ranch during tho fore
Noon. and by moving through the deep
arrovos. which scar the desert every
,,boro reached new position on the
hills along the river across from the FL
pa On smeltcr. Here the correspondents
,,.,o ba, been on his trail since day
break. discovered him.
lie and six Of his lieutcnants met the
visitors half way up the boulder stre"n
,,,o,,ntainside. lie carried a rifle. IKE
! his man He looked careworn but de-
: ,orr,ined. He answered questions only
after deliberation, and often eNasNe'F'
! beinc unwilling TO make known MS pans
H. borrowed some INK for his fountain
-, ard also writing tablet. lie eN-
'u.esod a wish to visit Fl Paso to set
square meal"
p.hels Warmed by Man in Autcnonhe'
Orozco's 800 men were scattered along
Tho hills for quarters OF a miie.
cor,o Of them had the horses on the
other side Of the range. watering from
tho river. some one leaving III Paso IN
on autouobile colncident with the de-
,ar,rre Of the federals from Juarez un-
aor colonel Rabago. gave them the rebel
warning. Making a trumpet with his
hands the FL Paso man shouted:
"Get busy. the trooTs are coming
The scout machine was quickly fol-
lowed by scores Of others, each with
load.
Al the alarm Of the automobile the
whole mountainside woke To life. \,
two hundred yards. the insurgents looked
like insects making their way on all fours
tu avoid bullets. through the maze OF
cactus. goapweed sage brush and bowl
ders.
Fierce Fighting Without Injuries.
II was about o'clock this afternoon
when Colonel Rabago marched cut on the
river road. The eastern wing Of Orozco' 4
force opened fire when the foot soldiers
arpeared on crest about six hundred
wards distant. The federals halted in A
compact mass. but escaped injury he
cause the 30-30 rifles carried by the in
4